The Jacksonville Jaguars are a special blend of hope and frustration this season.
On one hand, certain moments from Blake Bortles suggest the markings of an exciting franchise quarterback, one surrounded by a host of young playmakers in running back T.J. Yeldon and receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. From another angle, the Jaguars have let too many should-be wins -- Sunday against the Jets, for instance -- slip through their fingers.
Sitting just two wins behind the Andrew Luck-free Colts in the up-for-grabs AFC South, Bortles believes that Jacksonville can still learn to win those close games this season.
"If you're getting blown out every week, you have a lot to work on and a lot to improve," Bortles said ahead of Sunday's meeting with the Ravens, per the team's official website. "When you're as close as we are, I think it's a small step away."
Said Bortles: "I think it's developing that consistency, and being able to do it week in and week out. It is frustrating, but we give ourselves through Monday. You have to be over it and ready to start game planning on Tuesday."
Jacksonville has dropped five games this season that saw them leading or trailing by just a score in the fourth quarter. Still, their NFL-worst 13-straight road losses paint the picture of a young team still learning how to finish.
We've waited for Bortles and the Jaguars to turn the corner -- the right leadership appears to be in place -- but the wins must start flowing. Sunday in Baltimore isn't too soon.
