1. TITANS' AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE: The Titans may be 2-6, but you wouldn't know it looking at their defense. Tennessee ranks sixth in the NFL in total defense and seventh in sacks with 22. Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan, outside linebackers in the 3-4 scheme, have combined for 9.5 of those sacks.
"They cause a lot of disruption, getting after the quarterback and forcing the quarterback to get out of the pocket and make off-balance throws rushing to get the ball out of his hands," wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery said. "They have a really good scheme. They cause a lot of chaos on defense and are doing a great job of making plays."
Sounds like a typical Dick LeBeau unit. The longtime coordinator has the Titans playing aggressive and effective defense in his first season in Tennessee.
It'll be a challenge up front for the Panthers, who were rock-solid protecting quarterback Cam Newton a week ago against the Packers.
"They blitz, and Tennessee has a front that has gotten a lot of pressure," guard Trai Turner said. "We didn't give up any sacks (against Green Bay), which we are really proud of. We just want to keep it going forward."
2. GETTING TO MARIOTA: When Ken Whisenhunt was fired and Mike Mularkey was named interim head coach prior to Tennessee's Week 9 game against the Saints, one of the top priorities was devising a plan to better protect their quarterback.
"It was imperative that we did something different," Mularkey said. "We did a number of things to try to help the protection."
The early results were positive. Quarterback Marcus Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, wasn't sacked in the Titans' overtime win at New Orleans. After a shaky start in his return from a knee injury, Mariota completed 28 of 39 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns.
"He looks like he's confident and relaxed back there," linebacker Luke Kuechly said of Mariota. "He knows what he's doing, and last week he had a lot of fun."
Added linebacker Thomas Davis: "He's a true dual-threat quarterback, and whenever you face guys like that it always makes your job harder. He can run the ball, and he's pretty accurate throwing the ball. It's going to be a huge challenge defensively, and we're up for it."
Carolina is coming off a five-sack performance against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, and the Panthers know they'll need to make Tennessee's talented dual-threat rookie uncomfortable.
3. WHAT'S NEXT FOR FUNCHESS? Rookie wide receiver Devin Funchess had a breakout performance in the win over Green Bay, recording his first NFL touchdown reception in addition to a spectacular 52-yard catch.
Will he build on that outing in Week 10?
It won't be easy against a Tennessee secondary that ranks third in the NFL against the pass (217.5 yards per game).
4. TRUSTED TIGHT ENDS: Interestingly enough, the leading receiver on both these teams is a tight end. Greg Olsen paces Carolina in catches (37), receiving yards (584) and receiving touchdowns (five). Delanie Walker leads Tennessee in all three categories with 42 catches, 456 yards and three touchdowns.
Tracking these tight ends will be a tall and critical task for both defenses.
5. BALL SECURITY: Carolina, one of the top teams in turnover differential at plus-six, is facing a team at the other end of the spectrum. Tennessee has turned the ball over 17 times (third-highest in the NFL). The Titans rank 27th with a minus-six turnover differential.
Week 10: Panthers vs. Titans
Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen, right, and Tennessee Titans' Akeem Ayers, left, and Jordan Babineaux, center, scramble for Olsen's fumble during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. The Titans recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Tennessee Titans' Chris Johnson (28) runs through the tackle of Carolina Panthers' James Anderson (50) during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Tennessee Titans' Damian Williams (17) runs past Carolina Panthers' Sherrod Martin (23) and Omar Gaither (59) for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak watches during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) is sacked by Tennessee Titans' Will Witherspoon (92) and Colin McCarthy (52) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Tennessee Titans' Matt Hasselbeck (8) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) is tackled by Tennessee Titans' Jason McCourty (30) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera, right, argues a call with head linesman Ed Camp, left, during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Tennessee Titans' Marc Mariani (83) celebrates his punt return for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Tennessee Titans' Damian Williams, right, catches a pass as Carolina Panthers' Captain Munnerlyn, left, defends during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Tennessee Titans' Chris Johnson (28) runs for a first down against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Tennessee Titans' Matt Hasselbeck (8) throws a pass as Carolina Panthers' Greg Hardy defends during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. The Titans won 30-3. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Cam Newton, centro, de los Panthers de Carolina, sufre una captura por Colin McCarthy, izquierda, y Karl Klug, de los Titans de Tenes��, en Charlotte, Carolina del Norte, el domingo 13 de noviembre de 2011. (Foto AP/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Chris Gamble (20) returns an interception as Tennessee Titans' Matt Hasselbeck (8) runs in for the tackle during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. The Titans won 30-3. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Tennessee Titans' Matt Hasselbeck throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter of the Titans' 30-3 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Tennessee Titans' Damian Williams (17) catches a pass as Carolina Panthers' Darius Butler (27) defends during the fourth quarter of the Titans' 30-3 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Tennessee Titans' Matt Hasselbeck runs to the 1-yard line against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter of the Titans' 30-3 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter of the Panthers' 30-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Tennessee Titans' Chris Johnson (28) runs for a long gain as Carolina Panthers' Sherrod Martin (23) defends during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Tennessee Titans' Matt Hasselbeck (8) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) scrambles as Tennessee Titans' Malcolm Sheppard (96) and William Hayes (95) pursue during the fourth quarter of the Titans' 30-3 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Omar Gaither (59) reaches in vain to intercept a Tennessee Titans pass during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
