Week 1 vs. Green Bay
Green Bay gave up just 20 TD passes last season while also picking off 16 passes. Bortles also was more productive on the road last season, throwing for more yards and TDs despite attempting just two more passes away from Jacksonville. Bortles won't be bad this week, but he's not a sure-fire starter. He'll have to throw to keep up with the Packers, but Green Bay's pass defense is a tough nut to crack,.
2016 Fantasy Outlook
Blake Bortles exploded onto the fantasy scene in his second season, attempting 131 more passes - in two more games - than he did as a rookie. He thew 35 TD passes (many in garbage time, but they still counted) and increased his yardage total over 1,300 yards from 2014 to 4,428 in 2015. He didn't scramble as much last season as he did as a rookie, but he's still a capable runner as well. With the offensive weapons in place, another 4,000-yard season for Bortles should be in the works. But with short-yardage specialist Chris Ivory on board, some of the short TD passes could go by the wayside. The Jaguars defense is also expected to be better, meaning Bortles might not have to throw quite as much. Bortles' ADP of 85 places him squarely in the second tier of quarterbacks. He should continue to improve as his completion percentage increases, so fantasy owners can expect another solid season.
Week 17 at Houston
Bortles has turned into the king of garbage time, but what do you care? He threw for 368 yards and four scores last week, with much of the damage coming in the second half. He had 331 yards and three touchdowns against the Texans earlier this season, though he did throw a three interceptions. But the output has been impressive this season and he should finish with a bang. Bortles is a solid start again this week.
Week 16 at New Orleans
Bortles' strong fantasy season continued last week, throwing for 297 yards and a score while also rushing for 44 yards and a score. He's been solid all season and will face New Orleans' atrocious pass defense this week. The Saints are dead last in the NFL against opposing quarterbacks and with the weapons at his disposal, Bortles should be primed for a big day.
Week 15 vs. Atlanta
Bortles continued his strong play, throwing for 250 yards and three scores and adding 17 yards rushing and a touchdown. He's accounted for nine scores in the past two weeks. Atlanta has been reeling of late, but the Falcons' offense should find itself against Jacksonville's defense. This has shootout written all over it. Bortles should be a decent start this week.
Week 14 vs. Indianapolis
Coming off a 322-yard, career-high 5-TD effort last week, Bortles now gets to face Indianapolis' cheesy soft pass defense. He had 298 yards and a touchdown in an earlier meeting with the Colts this season. Bortles should be a borderline starter this week. He has 11 TD passes in six home starts this season.
Week 13 at Tennessee
Bortles has thrown multiple TD passes in six of his last seven games - including a 321-yard, 2 TD effort last week. But his one game without multiple TD passes in that period came at home against Tennessee a couple of weeks ago. He has 11 TD passes in five road games this season, by in large because the Jaguars are usually trailing on the road. Be careful here. The Titans' defense is 20th against opposing passers, but is more stingy at home.
Week 12 vs. San Diego
Bortles threw for 242 yards and a touchdown last week, but also had an interception and lost a fumble. San Diego is 19th in the league in points allowed to QBs, but is tough on opposing wideouts. The Chargers also are very weak against the run, so perhaps the Jags will attack that instead of going to the air a lot. But Bortles should put it in the air enough to be a solid start this week.
Week 10 vs. Tennessee
Bortles had just 188 passing yards last week, but did have two touchdown passes - his seventh multiple TD pass game of the season. The low passing yardage is a concern, however, as he's now thrown for 188 yards or less in two of the past three weeks (though he does have 1,385 yards in his past five games and has two or more TD passes in five consecutive games). The Titans have allowed 16 TD passes this season and have held just two opponents this season to less than 200 passing yards. Bortles is a nice start this week.
Week 10 at Baltimore
Bortles continues to fly under the radar in a lot of leagues, though his season-high 381 yards to go along with two scores last week should draw some attention. Bortles has been a pretty solid scorer each week given the fact the Jaguars have been forced to throw. Against Baltimore, the Ravens plan should be to throw, throw and throw some more. The Ravens have given up at least 275 passing yards in all but two games and at least two touchdown passes in all but two games. Bortles is a nice play this week.
