Seeing stripes - again

BENGALS 17, RAVENS 7

CINCINNATI - No last-minute comeback needed this time. With Cedric Benson rushing for 117 yards and a touchdown, the Bengals got ahead early and ground one out.

Cincinnati scored on its first three possessions, then spent the rest of its time chasing Baltimore's Joe Flacco around the field, setting up a 17-7 victory that kept the surprising Bengals unbeaten in AFC North games.

"We're much more mature," said quarterback Carson Palmer, who improved to 8-3 career against the Ravens. "We're a better team. We were a good team back then; we were kind of young and dumb. This team has more guys that understand how rare this opportunity is."

The Bengals (6-2) can take control of the division by winning next Sunday at Pittsburgh. Cincinnati has won all four games in the division, including a sweep of the Ravens (4-4), who started fast but have self-destructed into mediocrity.

They've been at their worst against the Bengals, who took advantage of three Ravens penalties to pull off a winning drive in Baltimore on Oct. 11 for a 17-14 win.

"We're not in a great spot," said Joe Flacco, who and threw a pair of interceptions. "We're in a tough spot."

Up 17-0 at halftime, it was only a matter of holding on. The Bengals did, with a lot of help from the self-destructive Ravens, who had 80 yards in penalties and missed a field goal. Their last chance slipped away when Flacco was sacked on three consecutive plays.

Baltimore has dropped four of its last five, making it a long shot to win the division.

Cincinnati scored on its first three possessions - touchdown, touchdown, field goal - against a defense that has struggled against the run lately. The Ravens, who hadn't allowed a 100-yard rusher for 39 consecutive games, have now allowed a 100-yard rusher in three of the last four games.