Jaguars to stick with Bortles as slide grows, playoffs fade
JACKSONVILLE — Amid the NFL’s longest active losing streak, Jaguars coach Doug Marrone is standing by quarterback Blake Bortles and his entire coaching staff.
Marrone on Monday declared Bortles his starter Sunday at Buffalo and said no staff changes would be made in the wake of a disheartening 20-16 loss to Pittsburgh, which dropped the Jaguars to 3-7 and further into last place in the AFC South.
The Jaguars’ sixth straight loss featured the largest blown home lead in franchise history (16 points) and possibly the ugliest second half this season. But it was not enough to warrant change other than the release of third-team quarterback Landry Jones, whose roster spot was filled by offensive lineman Corey Robinson.
“At times like this, people are going to ask those questions, and we’re continually trying to work together to try to figure out a way to put this complete game in, to do a better job from my standpoint to the coaches and to the players,” Marrone said.
In success and failure, results often start and end with the quarterback. And Bortles wasn’t good enough against the Steelers, particularly during a second half when the Jaguars totaled just 74 yards and went three-and-out five times.
Bortles finished the game 10-of-18 passing for 104 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. In 10 games this season, Bortles has thrown for 12 touchdowns and committed 12 total turnovers (eight interceptions, four lost fumbles).
There were several plays the Jaguars would probably like to have back against the Steelers. Perhaps most notably when they led 16-6 and had possession at Pittsburgh’s 39-yard line with about 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
On second-and-8, Bortles appeared to have receiver Donte Moncrief open on a simple slant pattern but opted not to throw the ball after faking a handoff to tailback Carlos Hyde. The result was a 9-yard sack, which pushed the Jaguars out of field goal range. Bortles was sacked again the next play.
That was one of two Jaguars drives that began in Steelers territory and resulted in a punt. A third instance produced a firsthalf field goal by Josh Lambo.
Marrone declined to weigh in on whether he believes Bortles’ confidence is shaken because of earlier struggles this season. Whatever the reason, there is a clear disconnect between the quarterback and his receivers, who combined to catch five passes (on 11 targets) for 45 yards.
Leonard Fournette did most of the damage, running for 95 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries and catching two passes for a team-high 46 yards.
On Sunday, as one teammate after another walked past him and out of a hushed locker room, Fournette sat in total disbelief. His shin pads remained on, as if the second-year running back still believed he had a few more carries left in him.
Nearby, linebacker Telvin Smith held an impromptu pep talk with cornerback A.J. Bouye. Their chat was brief, but the message was one of obvious encouragement directed toward a talented player who has had a mostly down season.
In a room that so often last year was full of chatter and blaring music after important victories, the postgame mood following the Jaguars’ stunning loss to the Steelers on Sunday was befitting of a team that knows it is dead.
On Sunday, a crowd of 67,683 at TIAA Bank Field saw the Jaguars blow the fifth-biggest lead in franchise history and largest since a 17-point lead evaporated against the Colts in the 2016 season finale.
“That’s a rough one,” strong safety Barry Church said. “I’ve been in a lot of battles, but when they end like that, it just stings a little bit more. So close. Right on the cusp of victory. And then next thing you know, it’s gone. It sucks.”