Jags coach Gus Bradley
isn’t considering benching QB Blake Bortles, despite the team’s offensive struggle in its recent 33-16 loss to the Raiders.
JACKSONVILLE — Blake Bortles ranks 28th in the NFL in passer rating and is tied for third in interceptions.
The former UCF standout is still the without-a-doubt No. 1 quarterback for coach Gus Bradley despite the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive struggles in a 33-16 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Sunday at EverBank Field.
The Jags (2-4) will take on the Tennessee Titans (3-4) in an AFC South matchup at 8:25 tonight in Nashville. NFL Network will televise the game.
“I firmly, firmly believe in Blake Bortles,” Bradley said. “Without a doubt. [Sunday] was a challenging day for him with some of the situations we were in. But as far as [being] a competitor and [being] tough and what he brings to this team, there is no doubt [he’s the right guy].”
Bortles’ year of difficult sledding continued against the
Raiders, when he completed 23 of 43 passes for 246 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The Jaguars’ first scoring chance was derailed with an interception in the end zone, and a review of the game showed Bortles with at least six bad throws. His numbers also were impacted by three drops by wide receiver Allen Robinson.
The Jags rank 27th in the league in offensive yards, last on third down and 24th in scoring.
“When we got behind, [Oakland] had the ability to play certain coverages that made it very challenging,” Bradley said. “They knew we had to pass, and they could rev up their pass rush. You have to win on your route, and you have to throw really accurate passes in those situations. We just didn’t have enough of those.”
Bortles is 141-of-236 passing (59.7 percent) for 1,567 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. Only Ryan Fitzpatrick (11) of the New York Jets and Case Keenum (10) of the Los Angeles Rams have been picked off more. Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Bucs also has thrown nine interceptions.
Bortles set franchise records with 4,428 passing yards and 35 TD throws in 2015.
“Everybody kind of says ‘consistency,’ but when it comes down to it, nobody's trying to make mistakes,’’ Bortles said via the team's official website. “Nobody's trying to hold. Nobody's trying to throw an interception. I don't really know how else to put it, except that we have to be better. At every position, we have to be better.
“One thing that's good about it is, we have seen it before. We've done it this season. We did it last year. We have the ability and the right guys in the locker room to be successful and be a powerful offense. We just have to find it.’’
Bortles is in his third season in the NFL after being taken with the third overall selection in the 2014 draft.
Bradley replied with a stern “no’’ when asked whether a QB change was required to spark the offense. He said the blame should not be placed entirely on Bortles or playcaller Greg Olson, the Jags’ offensive coordinator.
“It falls on all of us,’’ Bradley said. “It falls on me as the head coach. It falls on the defense for not getting the ball [back] enough. It falls on the offense for not taking advantage of opportunities in the red zone. We all take ownership.”