In a pivotal game for positioning in the AFC North, the Bengals got the best of the Ravens once again, throttling Baltimore 17-7 to sweep the season series, improve their record to 6-2 and take a half-game lead on Pittsburgh for the division lead. The Bengals scored on their first three drives to take a 17-point lead, and their defense held Baltimore in check for most of the game. The Ravens did not advance the ball past midfield until the third quarter, and they did not get on the scoreboard until RB Ray Rice scored on a two-yard TD run with 12:54 left.

The Bengals again held the edge in the trenches vs. a Baltimore club usually renowed for its physicality. Cincinnati outgained Baltimore. 369-215, held a 2:1 edge on time of position and outrushed the Ravens, 146-55. Bengals RB Cedric Benson, who has relished a heavy workload all seson, rushed for 117 yards on 34 carries, the second such time he has broken the 100-yard barrier vs. Baltimore in 2009. Meanwhile, the Ravens' Rice was held in check, gaining just 48 yards on 12 carries.  

The PFW spin

Make no mistake: the Bengals have the Ravens' number this season, and they will present problems to anyone who faces them going forward problems if they continue to fare this well in all phases of the running game.

Through eight games, the Bengals rank in the top 10 in rushing (ninth overall) and run defense (second). Benson, who's on pace for 400 carries, deserves all of the credit he has received and then some; note that he has not lost a fumble this season and has lost only one in 20 games in Cincinnati. He has been tough, productive, efficient and dependable.

But he also has benefited from playing behind an offensive line that has played well, perhaps better than anyone could have expected with new starters at left tackle (Andrew Whitworth), right tackle (first Anthony Collins, then Dennis Roland), center (Kyle Cook) and left guard (first Nate Livings, then Evan Mathis). The line is more than holding its own in run blocking.

The Bengals' run defense also has been impressive. Cincinnati has held 6-of-8 opponents to less than 100 yards rushing and has allowed only three rushes of 20 yards or more, and none of 40 yards or more. That's a sign of a defense that's executing very well, for big-play rushes are often born of blown assignments (defenders getting out of their gaps, etc.) and poor tackling / poor tackling angles.

The Bengals are physical, and they are well-coached, considering how they are carrying out their game plans on both sides of the ball. Their legitimacy can't be questioned any longer, nor can their toughness. The Week 10 showdown at Pittsburgh will be compelling.