CINCINNATI (AP) -- The Bengals know many fans think they're the NFL's worst team, one that's capable of going 0-16. They have a chance to prove them wrong right away.

A win in Cleveland on Sunday would show - for one week, anyway - that Cincinnati isn't the worst team in Ohio, let alone the league's worst.

Left tackle Andrew Whitworth says the players know what fans think of them, and realize they have a lot to prove coming off a 4-12 season.

The first half of the season provides the best chance for the Bengals to assert themselves. Only one of the first eight opponents had a winning record last season - Indianapolis, which has big problems after losing quarterback Peyton Manning.