Bengals Game Day Newsletter 5 Nov 5th Cincinnati_Digital | Page 62

acquire a proven player who can come in and
help us immediately.”
Dareus’ two best statistical seasons came
during Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone’s
tenure in Buffalo, when he posted 17.5 sacks
in two seasons (7.5 in 2013, 10.0 in 2014)
and was voted to the Pro Bowl both seasons.
The Birmingham, Alabama, native was drafted
by the Bills third overall in the 2011 NFL
Draft, following quarterback Cam Newton to
the Panthers and linebacker Von Miller to the
Broncos.
Already playing at a high level, the defense
is poised to take it to levels that might have
never been seen in franchise history.
THE OFFENSE
Of course on offense it all starts with the play
of quarterback Blake Bortles, who looks to
carry momentum from his Week 7 performance
in Indianapolis through the remainder of the
2017 campaign.
AP Images
Bortles threw for 330 yards on 18-of-26
passing with a touchdown pass in the win
over the Colts. Still looking for a consistent
downfi eld threat in the passing game, he
spread the wealth as well; ten different
Jaguars players were targeted by Bortles with
eight hauling in receptions.
Balancing that effectiveness with the NFL’s 1st-
ranked rushing offense should spell success
for the Jaguars offense down the stretch.
Can Bortles maintain that effectiveness when
defenses are gearing up to stop the run?
That’s the key question for this offense in the
fi nal two months of the season.
With the attrition of an NFL season over seven
weeks, “next-man-up” is real for the Jaguars
and every NFL team, especially as the later
months of the season come along in a division
title run.
Running back Leonard Fournette and center
Brandon Linder were ruled out of the Week 7
game against the Colts prior to kickoff with an
AP IMAGES