Carolina Panthers: Three New Year's Resolutions For 2015

If you divide the Carolina Panthers season into two parts, the first 12 games pale in comparison to the final four. From that point of view the glass is definitely half full.

The Panthers, facing major changes along the offensive line, in the secondary and at wide receiver entering the 2014 season, started 3-8-1. But they closed the regular season 4-0 when they found answers in each of those areas to become the first team to claim back-to-back NFC South titles. Carolina followed with the franchise's first playoff victory in nine years before succumbing to the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in an NFC Divisional Playoff.

Following the loss, according to panthers.com, Rivera didn't even touch down in Charlotte before turning the page to the 2015 season.

"I'm excited about it. I got off the airplane excited about it," Rivera said. "When I had the opportunity to talk to the team, it really was about going forward more than anything else."

Now, the path to another division title begins with free agency, the Draft, training camp and then the regular season.

There are many things this team will work on to be a better franchise in 2015, but here are three resolutions that could be the difference in playing deep into the holiday season and staying home after Christmas.