Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: 32-team post-preseason breakdown ahead of Week 1

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – AUGUST 25: Marqise Lee #11 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is helped off the field after an injury during a preseason game against the Atlanta Falconsat TIAA Bank Field on August 25, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – AUGUST 25: Marqise Lee #11 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is helped off the field after an injury during a preseason game against the Atlanta Falconsat TIAA Bank Field on August 25, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

. Previous: . Jacksonville Jaguars. 7. team. 52.

One has to bet whether or not the Jaguars are wishing they held onto wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns this offseason.

They didn’t, and losing top receiver Marqise Lee to a season-ending knee injury this preseason hurts badly.

Of course, fellow Jacksonville wideouts Donte Moncrief and Dede Westbrook could step in and alleviate the concerns. But it’s not exactly the most ideal of situations for quarterback Blake Bortles and the Jags passing offense.

Sure, everything that takes place in Jacksonville this season will center on running back Leonard Fournette, the ground game and arguably the NFL’s best defense. Certainly the best within the AFC.

But at some point, as was perfectly clear in the postseason, Bortles will have to make plays through the air. He’s been unable to do this with any sort of regularity over his career, which doesn’t bode well.

Especially with Lee out of the mix.

The Jags will stay high in NFL power rankings for much of 2018, most likely. But one shouldn’t automatically expect another deep run into the playoffs.