Blake Bortles’ performance last week in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ absolute domination against the Houston Texans was something we’ve been waiting to see since he was drafted. He is becoming the quarterback we saw signs of in the 2015 season. He was able to move defenders with his eyes, pump fake to create space, extend plays with his feet, and (most importantly!) make throws in tight windows farther than 10 yards down the field.

A 31-point lead was the largest point differential going into halftime in franchise history — and a big reason why was Bortles.

We’re going to take a look at some key plays from last Sundays win against the Texans.

Trips right X Curl Y Post Z Corner. Blake see's that the curl pulls in the defender, leaving Keelan Cole 1-on-1 for an easy throw into the Endzone! pic.twitter.com/9G61uXMKtj — Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) December 19, 2017

Here we have Trips to the right side with Dede Westbrook lined up as the wide out, running a corner route; which is going to pull that cornerback from the middle of the field. Keelan Cole lined up in the middle of Trips, is running a post route into the endzone and Jaydon Mickens on the inside is running a curl.

The Curl route is the most important read here. This route will determine if Cole will have a 1-on-1 matchup into the middle of the end zone. The Jaguars are known for short, quick passes but on first down, instead of running out the clock, already up by 24 points, the Jaguars go for a touchdown.

The Curl route is going to pull the safety inside because he believes he can get the interception jumping the route. The safety is comfortable with anticipating the throw because he knows a defender is across from Cole, but with Cole’s quick feet the defensive back had no chance. Bortles kept his eyes on Mickens as he threw to Cole showing his ability to look off defenders and even stayed in the pocket after being drilled by Clowney.

These are good attributes. These are very good attributes.

Cole runs Slo-Go route & Mickens runs a wheel which either forces the defenders to cross or they will switch if they are in zone. Since they were running man on this drive Blake Bortles knew LB couldnt keep up and drops a DIME pic.twitter.com/iXGTx0b6db — Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) December 19, 2017

This is the play that led to the touchdown at the end of the second quarter. At the top of the field we have Cole and Mickens lined up in Twins Left.

Cole is going to run a Slo-Go route from the outside and Mickens runs a wheel which either forces the defenders to cross or they will switch if they are in zone. Since they were running man on this drive Blake Bortles knew the linebacker (No. 40) would not keep up with Mickens, allowing Blake to make the throw in front of the safety down field for a 41-yard gain.

Cole runs Slo-Go route & Mickens runs a wheel which either forces the defenders to cross or they will switch if they are in zone. Since they were running man on this drive Blake Bortles knew LB couldnt keep up and drops a DIME pic.twitter.com/iXGTx0b6db — Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) December 19, 2017

This 42-yard gain to Cole is another example of Bortles making great decisions and reading the defense. Jaguars line up in a Tight Trips to the right and Lewis goes for the fake hand-off to the left, doing this shifts the defense away from the side the play is going to.

Mickens and Cole once again are on the same side of the field and Blake uses his eyes to make it seem as if he is throwing it deep middle. This leaves Cole open just enough for Blake to drop in a perfect pass.

Tight Trips Right, Lewis goes for the fake handoff to the left, this shifts the defense away from play side. Mickens & Cole once again exposing secondaries. Blake takes advantage of Houston's zone here #Jaguars pic.twitter.com/sBAWOVwr3x — Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) December 19, 2017

On the Jaguars second drive of the game, this incomplete pass got me excited. Yes, even though it was incomplete, Blake showing willingness to take chances inside the red zone is something we’ve been waiting to see!

It seems as if Tight Trips was a great offensive game plan against Houston and it exposed their secondary early. Blake drops a great ball into the back corner of the end zone and unfortunately Mickens was not able to hold on. I will agree that it was a little in front of him, but Mickens had the ball, just couldn’t hold on when falling to the ground.

On this play it seems like a simple check down but when nobody is open Blake utilizes a pump fake to keep the linebackers in place then checks down to TJ Yeldon for a 9 yard gain. pic.twitter.com/Kdt4H8yhti — Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) December 19, 2017

On this play it seems like a simple check down but when nobody is open Blake utilizes a pump fake to keep the linebackers in place then checks down to T.J. Yeldon for a nine-yard gain.

Favorite throw by Blake this past Sunday. Feeling pressure by the defense and could easily throw the dump pass to Ivory instead tries Keelan Cole. This was an awesome play because the defender notices the pressure on Blake and assumes he would never be able to make the throw pic.twitter.com/9RQyG6ViHW — Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) December 19, 2017

This was probably my favorite throw by Blake this past Sunday.

He feels the pressure by the defense and could easily throw the dump pass to Ivory. Instead of settling for a three-yard play he takes his chances with Cole when he notices the safety in help for the deep fade. This was an awesome play because the defender notices the pressure on Blake and assumes he would never be able to make the throw behind him.

Another play off his backfoot where the rush was coming and he finds Lewis to dump it off! IN BLAKE WE TRUST pic.twitter.com/bRixML38Aq — Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) December 19, 2017

#AnkleBreaker ️ This just shows his ability to use his legs to extend plays when needed, the stop and go here is simple yet effective. pic.twitter.com/zQmiBweuwk — Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) December 19, 2017

This play ended up being thrown away but I will always appreciate and share whenever I notice Blake out there breaking ankles. This just shows his ability to use his legs to extend plays when needed, the stop and go here is simple yet effective.