Week 10 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Jordan Love struggled from an NFL standpoint in his first career start in Week 9. Should Aaron Rodgers miss Week 10 on the COVID-19 injury list again and the Green Bay Packers not have faith in their 2020 first-round pick, Blake Bortles could see the field. He's not a fantasy option in any league, however.
Week 17 vs Arizona Cardinals
The Rams play an essentially meaningless game against the Cardinals this week, and it's entirely possible that Blake Bortles will draw the start at quarterback for the Rams. If he does, he'll match up against a Cardinals defense that's allowed the fifth-most aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. In case you've forgotten the legend of Bortles, he was as capable of putting up the top fantasy score of the week as he was to crater spectacularly in a barrage of interceptions.
He's never really had the kind of weapons at his disposal that he does in Los Angeles in the past, and he's got a higher-than-average floor given his rushing abilities, averaging 355 rushing yards over his past five seasons. He could be a sneaky start this week in DFS or in strange redraft leagues that have a Week 17 championship.
Week 17 at Houston Texans
Replacing the injured Cody Kessler in the win at Miami last Sunday, Blake Bortles was 5-of-6 for 39 yards. He will get the starting nod for the finale at Houston but should definitely not be a part of your starting lineup on the road versus a stout defense. Remember, Bortles was ineffective which led to him being benched in the first meeting versus the Texans this season.
Week 12 at Buffalo Bills
With the ground game and defense controlling most of the game last week versus the Steelers, Blake Bortles threw only 18 passes for 104 yards. He failed to throw a TD for the first time since the Week 7 contest versus Houston when he was benched due to ineffectiveness. This looks like another week for Bortles to remain on your bench, as he’ll be facing the league’s top defense versus the pass on the road.
Week 11 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
In the loss at Indianapolis last Sunday Blake Bortles threw for 320 yards, two TDs and no INTs for the third straight game. It was his third multi-touchdown outing and his fourth 300-yard game of the season. With Leonard Fournette healthy, the Jaguars run game is more of a threat, which helps the passing attack. Back at home this week versus the Steelers No. 18 pass defense, Bortles remains a QB2 play.
Week 10 at Indianapolis Colts
In the loss to the Eagles two weeks ago in London, Blake Bortles nearly led his team back to a victory. He finished with 286 passing yards and a TD and ran for 43 yards. While he’ll still be on a short leash on Sunday at Indy, he is coming off of his first turnover-free game since Week 3. The Colts defense is allowing over 260 yards per game through the air but how much can you really trust Bortles as your starting fantasy QB?
Week 8 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Before being benched for Cody Kessler last week in the loss to the Texans, Blake Bortles completed just six of 12 passes for 61 yards and lost two fumbles. He’s turned the ball over eight times the past three games and will be on a short leash in England, which means another benching may be coming. It’s advised to look elsewhere for your starting QB.
Week 7 vs. Houston Texans
The Jaguars offense was on the field for just 21 minutes in the blowout loss to the Cowboys last Sunday. Even though his team was behind the entire game, Blake Bortles threw a season-low 26 passes for another season-low 149 yards with one TD and one INT. He has thrown for well over 300 yards in half of his games this season but is averaging just 160 yards in the other three. He’ll be back at home this week versus an average Houston pass defense; however, Bortles remains a QB2 play.
Week 6 at Dallas Cowboys
The good: playing from behind last week at Kansas City, Blake Bortles threw 61 times for a career-high 430 yards and a TD. He also ran for 36 yards and another score. The bad: he threw four interceptions and was sacked five times. With Leonard Fournette out of the lineup for most of the past two weeks, Bortles has thrown for over 800 yards and three scores. He’ll have a tougher matchup on Sunday at Dallas, facing the No. 12 pass defense. Despite the recent success, Bortles should still be considered just a QB2 option.
Week 5 at Kansas City Chiefs
Facing what was a decent Jets pass defense coming into the game last Sunday, Blake Bortles completed over 75 percent of his passes while throwing for 388 yards and two TDs. It’s been an up-and-down season so far for the Jacksonville QB, as he’s passed for less than 180 yards in Weeks 1 and 3 but over 375 yards in Weeks 2 and 4. Even though this should be his week to struggle, Bortles gets to throw against the second-worst pass defense in the league in the Chiefs. Although the matchup looks favorable, he remains a QB2 option.
