The Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense has been on fire as of late and clicking on all cylinders. One area they’ve particularly improved in recently was through the air, despite being without Allen Robinson since Week 1 and Allen Hurns since Week 12.

Stepping up in their absence are two rookie receivers in Keelan Cole and Dede Westbrook, both of whom seem to have a great connection with quarterback Blake Bortles. Westbrook’s connection has been especially strong with Bortles and many have taken notice, among them NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger, who recently joined Ryan Green on Hacker After Dark via 1010XL Sports Radio. The two discussed a variety of Jags related topics including the play of Bortles and Westbrook.

He’s [Bortles] played well these last two weeks. He’s taking care of the ball and not telegraphing his throws and is getting the ball out of his hands faster… It looks like he’s got a trust with Dede Westbrook. As good as Allen Robinson is, I don’t know that he had that kind of trust with him. He’s making these back shoulder throws and looks very comfortable with Dede Westbrook. He has great suddenness and I liked him coming out of Oklahoma.

Baldinger continued, saying that Westbrook “almost” looks like a No. 1 receiver and that Bortles looked more “assertive and confident” as of late.

Bortles is without a doubt playing the best football of his career this month completing 44-of-62 passes for 577 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Had anyone said those would be his numbers beforehand, they would have been called you crazy.

As for Westbrook, he’s absolutely been a shot in the arm for the passing game since coming off of injured reserve, and I agree that his connection with Bortles seems strong. With just three weeks under his belt, Westbrook has managed to accumulate 20 catches for 235 yards and a touchdown. Those are solid numbers for a rookie finding his way, and if he continues to connect with Bortles as he has, the sky could be the limit for the Jags’ offense.