Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: 32-team overreactions heading into Week 2

By Peter Panacy

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown by Phillip Dorsett #13 (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown by Phillip Dorsett #13 (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 09: Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars has his pass blocked by Dalvin Tomlinson #94 of the New York Giants in the second half at MetLife Stadium on September 9, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 09: Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars has his pass blocked by Dalvin Tomlinson #94 of the New York Giants in the second half at MetLife Stadium on September 9, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

Previous: . Jacksonville Jaguars. 5. team. 52. . W, 20-15 @ Giants

Like the Eagles, the Jaguars are going to rely heavily on their standout defense throughout 2018. Unlike the Eagles, however, Jacksonville doesn’t have a solid quarterback returning to look forward to.

OK, this is an indictment against Jaguars QB Blake Bortles, and he’s no stranger to criticism. But while Jacksonville’s defense did its job against a new-look Giants squad Sunday, Bortles’ troubles from last year carried over into Week 1. He tossed a mere 176 yards, a touchdown against an interception all for a lowly 67.2 passer rating.

Running back Leonard Fournette exited the game with an injury, so that’s something to monitor heading into Week 2. As a result, the Jaguars run game wasn’t able to get much going either, putting even more pressure on Bortles to perform.

One can suppose he did enough, particularly in connecting with running back T.J. Yeldon on a one-yard passing touchdown in the second quarter.

Jacksonville’s defense did the rest.

That defense is good enough to boost the Jaguars up a couple of spots. But they’ll eventually need Bortles to make some big plays this season.

Don’t bank on that.