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The 10-4 Jacksonville Jaguars are going back to the playoffs for the first time in a decade!
And while the Jags are known for their incredible defense... it's quarterback Blake Bortles who deserves MUCH MORE CREDIT for this playoff berth than he's being given.
Welcome to the Orlando Sports Weekly Rundown, I'm David Baumann.
It's a very good thing head coach Doug Marrone didn't abandon Bortles earlier this year.
It's crazy to think that he almost did!
If you recall, Marrone benched Bortles in the third preseason game and replaced him with veteran Chad Henne.
At the time, I wrote right here on 407area.com that it would be a "terrible decision" if Marrone chose to make that QB change permanent.
I said it was too early in Bortles career to give up on him... that his passing stats were comparable to Eli Manning's after three seasons... and that Henne was not a viable replacement.
In fact, I said, "with an improved roster all around him now, isn't it conceivable that Bortles could return to his 2015 form... or perform even better?"
Well, over the past three games... when the Jags needed him most...
Bortles performed nearly perfectly.
He completed 65/91 passes (71.4%), for 903 yards, 7 touchdowns and 0 interceptions over that stretch.
His passer rating has improved to a career-best 89.7, even better than the 88.2 rating he achieved in 2015.
Orlando Sports Weekly Rundown: Jacksonville Jaguars Go To Playoffs
And while the national media has dogged Bortles over the past couple years, his teammates recognize how valuable he is to the team's newfound success.
Veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis said, "You can see him out there just playing ball and if there’s a rush coming, he’s just sliding over a little bit, getting into position and making the throws and not panicking and he’s doing his thing and I’m so proud of him.”
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey added, "Dude (Bortles) is balling and guys are taking the opportunity and ceasing it.”
WR Keelan Cole said, “He is a great quarterback in my eyes. He does everything he needs to and more."
Even Jags owner Shad Khan chimed in about Bortles, saying, “I think it’s been incredible. I think the stats show that. He’s been kind of a different, more confident person, and he’s providing the leadership we all want out of him.”
Bortles acknowledged that his confidence level is sky high, a huge difference from one year ago. "Last season, it wasn't good. It's good to not be there anymore," he said, then passed around praise to his wide receivers for making big plays this year.
And on the clinching a playoff spot, Bortles said, "It feels good. Obviously, I think everybody knows the history of the organization to be able to say that we were a part of the group that kind of changed the culture and changed the narrative about the Jaguars is special."
It's been a special season so far... but it could get even more special in the weeks ahead.
If Bortles can continue to stay in this remarkable groove, and the Jags defense continues to dominate...
It's conceivable to believe this team can potentially win the Super Bowl.
Let me repeat that.
The Bortles-led Jacksonville Jaguars can potentially win this year's Super Bowl.
Hey, if Trent Dilfer was able to win a Super Bowl after posting just a 76.6 passer rating in the 2000 season for the Baltimore Ravens, then it's definitely possible for Bortles to win one this year.
David Baumann is a Sports Columnist for 407area.com and can be heard Tuesdays from 7-9pm on EK Sports, 96.9 The Game FM. He can be seen Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30pm on Spectrum Sports 360's Face Off Segment on Central Florida News 13, channel 1013.
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