Jaguars' Smith: 'I think we're the best team in the league'

The Jacksonville Jaguars surprised even their most optimistic supporters in 2017, but Telvin Smith doesn't believe they've scratched their potential yet.

The New England Patriots beat Smith and the Jaguars in the AFC Championship Game. Despite the loss, the linebacker is still confident in the team's ability.

"I think we're the best team in the league," Smith said Wednesday to Mike Kaye of First Coast News.

"It's not that I'm knocking anybody else, there are some talented teams out there, but if I don't lock in right now and believe wholeheartedly that my team will be the last team standing, you're not ready for that fight that's about to come."

Smith was an integral part of the Jaguars' breakout season, recording 102 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and three interceptions in 14 games. The 27-year-old earned the first Pro Bowl and All-Pro (second team) selections of his career.

Although some may be advising the Jaguars to take caution after they established themselves as a genuine contender, Smith isn't worried about managing expectations.

"I think you can only set the bar too high when you don't believe it yourself," Smith said. "I think this team is full of confidence, full of talent, full of (heart) and dedication, so the bar is as high as we set it. It's not 'where can we go?' It's 'where do we want to go?' That's what we're working on now, making sure that we go where we want to go come February."