CINCINNATI -- The Bengals have swept the season series against Baltimore with a 17-7 win at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday.
It looked like it would be all Bengals early. Cincinnati took the opening kickoff and marched down the field. The drive was capped by Carson Palmer throwing to Andre Caldwell for a six yard score.
The Bengals defense then started a trend and stopped the Ravens offense in four plays.
Cincinnati's second drive ended like the first, with a touchdown. Cedric Benson finished the 80 yard drive with a one yard touchdown plunge.
In the second quarter, the Bengals offense got the ball for a third time. They managed to come away with the last points they would need. Shayne Graham hit a 23 yard field goal to put the Bengals ahead 17-0.
The score stayed 17-0 until the fourth quarter. With just under 13 minutes to play, Ray Rice ran for a two yard score to cut the lead to ten.
The Bengals started to drive, and with just under eight minutes to play Carson Palmer hit Chad Ochocinco for a big gain, but Ed Reed stripped the ball and Baltimore recovered.
The Ravens failed to capitalize on the Bengals mistake. Steven Hauschka missed a field goal that would have pulled Baltimore to within a touchdown.
The Bengals defense stepped up late in the fourth quarter. Mike Zimmer's crew recorded three sacks in a row on Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco to hault any comeback efforts.
The Bengals gain the sole lead of the AFC North with the victory and improve to 6-2 on the season for the first time since 1988, when they made it to the Super Bowl.
Post game notes...
Cedric Benson ran 34 times for 117 yards and one touchdown.
Carson Palmer was 20 of 33 passing the ball for 224 yards and one touchdown.
Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall both intercepted Joe Flacco once.
The Bengals defense held the Ravens offense to just 215 total yards.
