A few years ago, the Cincinnati Bengals were pegged to be the best contender against the Kansas City Chiefs. Being the only team other than the New England Patriots to beat KC in the playoffs, hopes were high for Cincy.

However, last season was a disaster for the Bengals. Injuries to Joe Burrow derailed their title hopes, with Burrow eventually missing most of the season due to a wrist injury. Those struggles continued in Week 1 this season, where they lost 16-10 to the Patriots.

Despite people writing them off, Chase still believes that the Bengals are the team to beat in the league.

"Everybody knows that, bro," Chase said Thursday, per ESPN's Ben Baby. "It's not 'if.' We are the team to beat in the AFC. And we know it. And we gotta play like it, too."

The Bengals' surprise run to Super Bowl LVI saw Burrow and Chase beat the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs. The following season, Cincinnati returned to the AFC Championship Game but lost this time to the Chiefs.

Those two seasons had many hoping that the Bengals would be the Chiefs' biggest thorn in the next few years. However, Burrow's wrist injury last season prevented Cincinnati from returning to the playoffs.

Cincinnati is still considered one of the top teams in the AFC. However, with other strong contenders like the Ravens, Bills, Texans, and of course the Chiefs, they are in a much precarious position than before. They are set to face Kansas City in Week 2, giving Chase a chance to prove his statement true.

Related: Ja'Marr Chase's Blunt Message to Chiefs Before Week 2 Game