JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For the first time since 2007, the Jaguars are going to the playoffs. A 45-7 win over the Houston Texans clinched at least a wild card spot for the team. The game was never close. The Jaguars led 31-0 at halftime, the largest halftime margin in any regular season game for the Jaguars. Here's how the Jaguars answered the four biggest questions I had entering the game:
Can Blake Bortles keep it up?
The Jaguars quarterback entered the game leading the NFL in quarterback rating in December. He did nothing to hurt his cause. Bortles set a personal record with a 143.8 passer rating, threw three touchdowns and completed 73 percent of his passes. For most of the game, he had plenty of time to throw, and despite losing wide receiver Marqise Lee to an ankle injury in the first half, didn't miss a beat in the passing game. Bortles is playing the best football of his career in the most important month of his career, both personally and as a team. It looks more and more likely that Bortles will get the $19 million, fifth-year option he is owed next year.
Can the Jaguars pass rush dominate the Texans again?
Yes it can. After sacking Houston quarterbacks 10 times in the season opener, they Jaguars defense added four sacks Sunday. Calais Campbell got two, stretching his team-record to 14.5 sacks this year as the Jaguars defense topped the 50 sack plateau as a team. The Jaguars defense dominated, allowing only 58 yards in the first half and giving up just one touchdown for the game. Houston had almost no answer for the Jacksonville defense, though they were creative in their use of formations, including the wildcat and utilizing seven offensive linemen at times.
Can they avoid special team mistakes?
They can, and they did. Special team was solid, if not spectacular. Jaydon Mickens returned a punt 26 yards. Dede Westbrook busted off a 19-yard punt return. Josh Lambo continued his excellent kicking. Coverage teams were good. Not much to complain about here.
Will the running game look "playoff-ready?"
Without Leonard Fournette, the running game still managed to move the ball, although, it was the passing game that led the way for the Jaguars offense. Chris Ivory ran 17 times for 42 yards while dealing with a hand injury and Tommy Bohanon scored two touchdowns on a pair of one-yard dives. In the playoffs, the Jaguars will want Fournette available, but they have shown that they can win without him.