2. QB Blake Bortles is Sporadic

For any team in the hunt to make a real push for the playoffs they have to have solid performances from their quarterback. Unfortunately, it would be asking a lot out of Blake Bortles to maintain any consistency. Scratch that. Any productive consistency because we all know how consistent he is with inaccurate passes and turnovers. It’s been a rough outing for Bortles ever since running back Leonard Fournette went down with a hamstring injury.

Without Fournette, the demand for Bortles to perform increases. It’s not an ideal situation to be in because Bortles tremendously benefits with a threat at running back. We saw how great it worked out last season with Fournette as the focal point of the offense. Since he’s been out, stopping the Jaguars offense hasn’t posed much of a challenge for defenses. The numbers speak for themselves during their current five-game losing streak.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are only averaging two touchdowns a game (14.4). That’s nowhere near enough for a team trying to make a push for the playoffs. Against the Indianapolis Colts, Blake Bortles had a strong performance. He has his moments in games, but nothing like the well-rounded performance he had against the Colts. If he could somehow keep this up, even if it were just close to it the Jaguars would have a chance.

But Bortles is just too sporadic. The Jaguars can’t depend on him to win games. It was always  Fournette and the defense that made the Jaguars elite. This team is built for when it has a lead, not to make a comeback. That’s because of who they’re rolling out at quarterback. With how weak the defense has been, making a comeback run into the playoffs with Blake Bortles at quarterback is impossible.