The Los Angeles Chargers surprised the NFL world when they finished last season with a 12-4 record. Although the team was unable to get past the New England Patriots, they still proved that they’re one of the better teams in the AFC, and if Melvin Ingram is to be believed, the entire NFL.

Earlier this month, Chargers running back Melvin Gordon commented that the team was the best in the AFC West, a bold claim considering the Kansas City Chiefs also share the division. When asked about his comments this week, Chargers linebacker Ingram took things a step further.

“We're the team to beat in the NFL, not just the AFC West — it's the NFL,” Ingram said (via ESPN). “We feel like when we're going against our offense that we need to beat them because they're the best. They need to beat us because we're the best. And that's how we're going to get better.”

While that may sound a bit bold, Ingram could have a point. Last year, the Chargers finished 12-4 behind an intense defense and an offense led by Gordon, Philip Rivers, and Keenan Allen. Unfortunately for the team, they fell to the New England Patriots in an embarrassing playoff game.

Armed with newfound confidence and the drive to make it to the Super Bowl, the Chargers seem prepared to prove their doubters wrong. With a majority of their incredible defense returning, and the likes of Hunter Henry presumably coming back healthy and ready to go, the sky could be the limit for the Chargers, but they’ll have to prove they challenge the likes of the Chiefs and Patriots if they want to be the best in the league.