Jaguars vs. Falcons: Why Blaine Gabbert Needs to Get Better Fast

When the Jacksonville Jaguars moved up six spots to select quarterback Blaine Gabbert with the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, they probably expected him to sit for an entire season before playing. Instead, Gabbert was forced into action in Week 2 and has been the team's starting quarterback ever since. And the results have not been positive.

The Jaguars currently rank dead last in the NFL in total offense (averaging 260.1 yards per game) and passing offense (140.8 yards per game). They are also averaging just 14.8 points per game, which ranks 28th league-wide.

Most of the team's offensive woes have come because of Gabbert's struggles. So far this season, Gabbert has completed 166 of 330 passes (50.3 percent) for 1,783 yards, with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His passer rating of 65.3 ranks dead last among the 32 NFL quarterbacks who qualify.

Tonight the Jags take on the Atlanta Falcons, and if they want to come away with a win, Gabbert has to be better. He needs complete a much higher percentage of his passes and start to live up to the enormous potential the Jacksonville saw in the Missouri product when it traded up to take him.

The Falcons are currently 8-5 and have won five of their last seven games. They boast the league's fifth-best run defense, allowing 95.2 yards per game. That means Atlanta should be able to keep Maurice Jones-Drew relatively in check tonight, which in turn means Gabbert will have to make plays if the Jags hope to win.

Gabbert simply has to improve and fast if he wants to be taken seriously as a starting quarterback in the NFL.