Panthers vs. Colts: 4 Second-Half Adjustments Indianapolis Should Make

For the Colts, the march towards the top pick in next year's draft continues this week as the Carolina Panthers pay a visit to Indy.

If Colts fans need a reminder (and chances are they don't) of what a difference an exciting young QB can make, they need to look no further than across the field. The Panthers may be 2-8, but in Cam Newton they have hope—sort of like 1998, when a young Peyton Manning went 3-13 for the Colts.

Here are five adjustments for the Colts to make to escape this matchup with a win (or at least some respectability).

1. Mix Up the Defensive Coverage

Cam Newton can hurt you with his feet or his arm, but if you confuse him he has a propensity to make the wrong decision. Cam has 14 interceptions in the year's first 10 games. To win, Indy needs to keep that trend going.

In the second half, Indy should run some zone blitzes with its ends and linebackers to confuse Newton and bait him into turnovers. Given the state of the Indy offense, the Colts may need to win this game with their defense.

2. Chew Up Some Clock

Aside from a gift pass interference penalty, the Indy offense has been abysmal so far. It doesn't get much simpler than this—if they can't stay on the field and sustain a drive, they can't win this or any other game. 

Peyton Manning isn't walking through that door, so the Colts need to simplify their offense and focus on plays that Curtis Painter can execute. Screen plays, quick slants, three-step drops—anything they can do to keep Painter in manageable down and distance scenarios.

3. Put a Spy on Newton

So far, Newton has shown a greater willingness to scramble than he has in previous weeks. He's already burned them for a touchdown and a key first down. The best way to put a stop to that would be to place a spy on Newton for the majority of the snaps. Sure, the Colts will lose a pass defender, but until Newton proves he can consistently be accurate and pick apart the defense, it's worth a shot.

4. Keep Running the Ball

The Panthers have one of the worst run defenses in the league. You can look it up. With Curtis Painter doing his usual bang-up job, the Colts should keep feeding Donald Brown and Joseph Addai until Carolina proves they can stop it.