CINCINNATI -- Yes, this is a new season for the Cincinnati Bengals.

So no, the statistics from last year don't have a direct bearing on the way this year's team is currently playing. But they still can, in certain cases, provide added background into perhaps explaining what the team is doing differently this year as it continues roaring through this fast start.

The Bengals, in case you haven't heard, are 3-0 and in command of not only the AFC North, but the entire conference as the lone unbeaten team. A win Sunday night at New England could go a long way toward bolstering their claim as one of the league's best.

A win there also could start putting an end to the narrative that the Bengals simply aren't that good of a team away from Paul Brown Stadium. Last year, they only won three of the eight road games they played, while also winning all eight they had at home. It was because of their home success that the Bengals earned the opportunity to host a wild-card game in January; one that they lost to San Diego, 27-10.

In addition to going 3-5 on the road last year, the Bengals also are 1-4 on the road during Monday, Thursday and Sunday night games since 2011.

It's worth mentioning that the Bengals did win their lone road game this season, beating the Ravens in Baltimore during the season opener.

"When you go on the road, you've got to go and take the game," Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton said. "Everything is against you, and you've got to bring your own energy. You've got to be ready to go. To get a win early on against Baltimore -- a really good team -- on the road, was big for us. So that can only help with our confidence going into Foxborough [Massachusetts]."

Since the start of last season, the Bengals are averaging far more points at home than they are on the road, and are allowing fewer points at home than they are on the road. Cincinnati is at plus-181 in scoring at home, compared to minus-nine on the road since the start of last season. The Bengals' turnover margin also is better at home than it is on the road.

Asked about how the Baltimore win might aid his team's road confidence ahead of Sunday's game, coach Marvin Lewis dismissed the idea.

"I don't think that gives us any points," he said. "Every week is a new week, and it's a new challenge this week."