4 keys to victory for the Carolina Panthers vs. the Patriots in Week 9

Carolina Panthers must adjust quickly

There has been a lot of criticism lately for the Carolina Panthers coaching staff with the way they have called games and responded to adversity. Considering how the offense has been playing, it really isn’t that surprising either.

Week 8 provided a glimmer of hope though as the Panthers were able to formulate an effective game plan against the Atlanta Falcons and finally stuck to the running game even when things started going south.

But that wasn’t against Bill Belichick.

Belichick has made a name for himself over the years as being a coach that can gameplan masterfully, switching things up quickly when that plan stops working. This means the Panthers cannot be rigid in their approach.

Especially when you look at their season track record so far.

The Panthers need to come into this game with multiple plans and strategies that can be switched out on the fly so that Bellichick cannot pin down a counter. Just like using a trick play to catch a star player off guard, a team can use this strategy to confuse a coach.

Call the whole first half one way and then do exactly the opposite once Bellichick is confident he has it figured out. Then change it again if things don’t develop as expected.

If the Panthers are to have any hope of outcoaching the Patriots, they’ve got to learn how to adjust. And quickly.