Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New Orleans Saints: Three Biggest Factors In Loss

2. Blake Bortles 

Yes, our beloved franchise quarterback was once again to blame, in part, to yet another loss.

The Saints defense entered this game having given up more than 400 points and during, set a record for most passing touchdowns given up in a season. After being shredded by the Lions offense just one week  prior, the thought was that the combined efforts of Bortles, Allen Hurns, Allen Robinson and Julius Thomas would be more than enough to put up points with ease.

What you see above are the numbers for both offense’s after the end of the first quarter. The Jags opened the game with a three and out, and it took a long time for them to get things going.

Part of those struggles came through even more bad decisions from the second year quarterback.

While this probably should have been a pass interference, Robinson wasn’t really open. Regardless of the missed call, Delvin Breaux was there and without much separation. In a game like this, where the defense was pitiful, it was clear Blake was trying to do too much.

And that couldn’t be more evident than the second and final interception he threw…

Here Breaux was reading Bortles eyes the entire way and he made a great play on the ball. These two picks were just some of the many mistakes the Jags couldn’t afford in the first half. It wasn’t until they were down 24-0 did the Jags finally get things going.

Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The other unfortunate piece of news the team had to deal with, was the absence of rookie running back T .J Yeldon. For the second straight game, Denard Robinson got the nod in the backfield and never made much of an impact. Former New England Patriot, Jonas Gray surprisingly led the offense on the ground. Five carries for 31 yards, the bulk of which came on two carries late in the game.

The passing offense would eventually get it together, Bortles found A-Rob on a 90-yard pitch and catch late in the third, easily one of the most exciting pays we’ve seen all season. Also it was unfortunate that Allen Hurns toppled 1,000 receiving  yards in a loss. Let’s be clear, the Jags haven’t had two thousand yard receivers in a season since 2001. These two could be better than Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell, but that’s an argument for another day.

The issue at hand is that the offense shouldn’t be expected to have to win these shootouts. The interceptions from Bortles can’t happen, but if the young quarterback thinks he has to put up 40 points to win, those are things you probably have to expect. These two factors and everything that has been touched on, cover pretty much all of the negatives from this past Sunday.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t one more thing we can talk about.

Next: Are Changes Coming?