INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts are supposed to have a lot of success this season based off their schedule -- at least on paper.
Yes, they play in the AFC South, one of the worst -- if not the worst -- divisions in the NFL. They also play the NFC South, which had a team with a losing record -- the Carolina Panthers -- win the division last season, and the AFC East, which only had the New England Patriots make the playoffs last season.
But each season brings changes to rosters.
We're going to take a look at the Colts' week-by-week opponents for the 2015 season.
Today we take a look at the Panthers:
2014 record: 7-8-1
First-round draft pick: LB Shaq Thompson
Veteran additions: CB Charles Tillman, WR Jarrett Boykin, OLB Jason Trusnik, RB Jordan Todman, S Kurt Coleman, OT Michael Oher, WR Ted Ginn Jr., CB Teddy Williams, OT Jonathan Martin
Veteran subtractions: OT Byron Bell, OLB Chase Blackburn, OT Chris Scott, RB DeAngelo Williams, OG Fernando Velasco, OG Garry Williams, DE Greg Hardy, CB James Dockery, C Kevin Matthews, S Thomas DeCoud, LB Horace Miller, G Derek Dennis
Area of concern for the Colts: Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is good enough to beat teams with his feet and arm. The new $100-million quarterback rushed for 539 yards and five touchdowns to go with his 3,127 yards passing and 18 touchdowns through the air last season. The Panthers gave Newton some help in the passing department when they selected receiver Devin Funchess in the second round. He'll team with fellow receiver Kelvin Benjamin. Carolina finished seventh in the league in rushing last season.
Area that favors the Colts: Like the Colts, the offensive line is a question mark for the Panthers. Carolina is banking on Oher protecting Newton's blind side at left tackle. The Panthers weren't great in stopping the run last season, as they finished 16th in the league in that category. Newton was also sacked 38 times.
