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Monday, Nov. 09, 2009

Bengals beats Ravens, lead AFC North

CINCINNATI — Three scores on their first three possessions were enough Sunday as the Cincinnati Bengals completed a season sweep of the Baltimore Ravens, 17-7, at Paul Brown Stadium.

Halfway through the season, the Bengals' 6-2 record (4-0 in the AFC North) ties their best start in 20 years. They also started 6-2 in 2005 en route to winning their division. The last time Cincinnati started better — 7-1 in 1988 — it went to the Super Bowl.

Carson Palmer, who completed 20 of 33 passes for 224 yards and a score, wasn't around in 1988. But he was at the Bengals' helm in 2005.

Is this team is better?

"Definitely," Palmer said. "We're much more mature. We're a better team. We were a good team back then, and we were kind of young — young and dumb.

"This team (has) more guys that understand how rare this opportunity is. It's not 'just happy to be there.' Guys take a lot of pride in where we are, and they're going to take a lot of pride as the season goes on and finish this thing out."

The Bengals, coming off their bye week, hold a half-game lead over Pittsburgh. The Steelers, who play Monday night at Denver, will host the Bengals next Sunday.

Palmer's TD pass went for 6 yards to Andre Caldwell.

Cedric Benson, who ran 34 times for 117 yards, scored from a yard out.

In Cincinnati's 17-14 win at Baltimore last month — secured on a Palmer-to-Caldwell touchdown pass with 22 seconds left — Benson became the first back in 40 games to rush for more than 100 yards against the Ravens.

"A big achievement for us," Benson said. "Everybody is definitely excited. ... Us as an offense, I'm very proud of what we've been able to do, but we've still got a long ways to go, a lot more things to do."

Shayne Graham's 23-yard field goal completed Cincinnati's 17-0 start with 7:45 left in the first half.

Meanwhile, the defense had its way with the Ravens.

At halftime, Baltimore had three first downs, two by penalty, and was outgained 235 yards to 44.

By the time Ray Rice scored on a 2-yard run, less than 13 minutes remained.

Bengals cornerbacks Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph each picked off a Joe Flacco pass. Over the last four games, Cincinnati has eight interceptions, four by Hall.

"The offense was able to get a couple of scores early, which was real big," Hall said. "It does nothing but help us as a defense."

As the two-minute warning came and went, Baltimore turned the ball over after back-to-back-to-back sacks.

"That's what you dream of, when they've only got one option — throw the ball," said Robert Geathers, one of the sackers. "We live for those days. We got that today, and we took advantage of it."

The Bengals went 8-for-18 on third-down while holding the Ravens to 1-for-10.

"The key to winning a football game is winning on third down, and (Baltimore) was an offensive unit that has been red-hot with that," Bengals Coach Marvin Lewis said. "The guys did a great job of executing today, and special teams did a nice job as well."

The bad news was that Chris Henry, tackled after a 20-yard pass reception, suffered a fractured forearm and may be lost for the season.

Also hurt were left guard Kevin Mathis (ankle) and linebacker Keith Rivers (calf).

Nate Livings filled in well for Mathis for 31/2 quarters.

"My number was called, so I just went in and focused on my job," said Livings, who laughed that he didn't have time to worry. "Whenever you start thinking, that's when you mess up."

Caldwell's TD catch capped a 12-play, 73-yard drive to open the game.

On the next possession, Benson burst over right tackle to finish a 10-play, 80-yard drive. The Ravens helped out with a pair of pass interference calls, the first negating a fumble and the second on fourth down.

"They did a nice job of executing. Some of the throws and catches they made, especially on the sideline, were very impressive," said John Harbaugh, coach of the Ravens. "We couldn't get off the field on third down in the first quarter, and a lot of that had to do with changing up what they normally do."

Cincinnati's Laveranues Coles caught six passes for 72 yards. Chad Ochocinco grabbed five for 66 yards.

Graham's field goal came after a Baltimore punt. Coupled with a 45-10 rout over Chicago two weeks ago, the field goal Sunday gave the Bengals scores in 10 consecutive possessions in which Palmer played.

Chinedum Ndukwe and Dhani Jones led Cincinnati tacklers with six each. Ray Lewis, Dwan Edwards and Dawan Landry had eight each for the Ravens.