The Jacksonville Jaguars return with much of the same roster from the 2017 season, but quarterback Blake Bortles thinks the team may have lost one of its greatest strengths after its shocking appearance in last year's AFC Championship Game.
"I think last year we kind of caught some teams by surprise ..." Bortles said on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access," according to Kevin Patra. "I don't think that's something that's going to happen this year. The way we play, as good as our defense was, I think we're definitely a bit on people's radar now as far as a team that's headed in the right direction and a team to be taken seriously."
The Jaguars defense ranked second in the NFL - and first in the AFC - in both yards and points allowed last season. Only the Baltimore Ravens recorded more takeaways.
Bortles, for his part, was rewarded for his most successful season to date with a three-year, $54-million extension in February. General manager David Caldwell and head coach Doug Marrone were also signed through 2021 after the season.
After last season's success, the 26-year-old quarterback is expecting a more difficult path this year, as the team goes for its second consecutive division title with a target on its back.
"I think we're going to get everybody's best shot," said Bortles. "And the AFC South is going to be tough ... it's our goal every year to win that."
