Week 4 at N.Y. Jets
Bortles had one of his best days in the past season-plus of action, throwing for 244 yards and 4 touchdowns in a rout of Baltimore in London. He also scrambled 3 times for 18 yards in a very productive day. The Jets have given up 6 passing touchdowns this season but not more than 230 yards passing in any game, and that includes last week when they were way ahead of the Dolphins. Always be wary of a team playing right after a London trip. And always beware Bortles, even after a big game. Don't start him this week despite the temptation.
Week 3 vs. Baltimore Ravens (game in London)
Blake Bortles threw for 223 yards and a touchdown last week but also threw a pair of interceptions and fumbled once. He did run 4 times for 29 yards to make it an okay day. Things won't be easy, however, this week against what has been an opportunistic Baltimore defense that has recorded at least 4 interceptions and 3 sacks in each of the first two weeks. Both teams will try to run the ball a lot in a game in which there might not be 50 total passes thrown. Bortles should not be in your lineup.
Week 2 vs. Tennessee Titans
Blake Bortles attempted just 21 passes and threw for 125 yards and 1 touchdown last week while also running three times for 13 yards, as the Jaguars rode their defense and running game. That's going to be the formula moving forward; with the receiving corps depleted, it's not like the Jaguars have a choice. Bortles threw for over 300 yards in each of the two meetings versus the Titans last season, adding 4 touchdowns and zero interceptions, but if you're looking for that this year, you might be waiting a while. He should not be in your lineup this week.
Week 1 at Houston Texans
Blake Bortles held onto his starting job in Jacksonville largely by default. How long he keeps it is a story for another day. The Jaguars aren't real excited about still having Bortles as their guy; neither should you. After all, he threw for 92 yards and an interception in a J.J. Watt-less game at Houston last season. Bortles won't be that bad this time around. Hopefully. But his expiration date is quickly approaching in what should be a tough road matchup.
Fantasy Upside
Blake Bortles is the king of the mop-up time, not that it matters to his fantasy owners. He's finished in the top 10 in fantasy points in each of the past two seasons, despite being on thin ice in Jacksonville.
Fantasy Downside
Bortles' first-half struggles in games are well-documented. For whatever reason, he seems to need to warm up to a game, which puts the Jaguars behind a lot. Again, that's not your concern, unless it gets him benched. The addition of Leonard Fournette also signals the Jaguars are committing to running the ball more often.
2017 Bottom Line
Bortles' overall numbers the past two years—at least 3,900 yards passing and 310 yards rushing—aren't bad. But his touchdown total dipped from 35 in 2015 to 23 last season. He did have 3 rushing touchdowns, but his passer rating dipped to a very pedestrian 78.8. All of that said, he's surrounded by good weapons, a decent offensive line, and ability. He just needs to consistently put it all together. The Jaguars are intent on running the ball more effectively, which could hurt his overall value. But right now, you're looking at a quarterback who has back-to-back top-10 fantasy finishes being drafted in the 15th—18th round range. You could certainly do a lot worse with your backup QB position as long you don't mind some games where he has no first-half points before finishing with a solid day.
Week 17 at Indianapolis
Bortles had 325 passing yards and a touchdown and didn't turn the ball over last week against Tennessee. He also caught a TD pass. It was his fourth 300-yard game of a forgettable season and second against the Titans this season, so maybe we should have seen it coming. He had 207 yards and two scores, also running for one in the first meeting with Indianapolis, so perhaps he's worth a play again this week. Do you feel lucky? Well, do you, punk? Bortles has been much more bad than good this season and it's impossible to recommend starting him, especially when there are far safer options available.
Week 16 vs. Tennessee
Bortles is a mess, as his 92 passing yards and an interception last week at Houston would suggest. He did score his third rushing touchdown of the season, but you don't need me to tell you he stinks. His best game of the season - 337 passing yards and three touchdowns - came back in Week 8 at Tennessee, but that seems like an eternity ago. And, as usual, a lot of that came in garbage time in another blowout loss. The Titans aren't world beaters against the pass, but it would take an incredible amount of guts to start Bortles in any format.
Week 15 at Houston
Bortles had 257 yards and a touchdown last week in a tough matchup against Minnesota, but that was at home. His biggest passing games this season have come on the road where he has been forced to play catch up from the start. The Texans have allowed just six passing touchdowns at home all season. And the way Bortles is currently playing, he's not likely to add more than one to that total. Look elsewhere for help this week.
Week 14 vs. Minnesota
Bortles managed just 181 yards with two interceptions and a fumble last week against Denver's top-rated pass defense. He did run for 29 yards and a score, but it was yet another poor outing. Now, he gets Minnesota's tough pass defense. Look for more of the same. While the Vikings haven't been quite as stingy as the Broncos, there's nothing in Bortles' recent play to suggest he'll be able to solve the Vikings defense.
Week 13 vs. Denver
Struggling passing game, meet No. 1 pass defense. That's what Bortles and company face this week after he threw for a season-low 126 yards last week. He did have two TD passes, giving him at least two TDs in each of the past five games and rushed for a season-high 81 yards, but he has a very tough matchup this week. If you've got another option, you should probably use it. Even garbage time might not save Bortles this week.
