Cincinnati Bengals Top The Baltimore Ravens For Supremacy?

The Cincinnati Bengals look like they are the real thing defeating the Baltimore Ravens 17-7. The Bengals are for now on top of the AFC North with a record of 6-2. The Steelers are set to play the Broncos tomorrow on Monday Night Football with a record of 5-2 and a victory for them will make their standings even with the Bengals, but the Bengals have the better division record at 4-0. Steelers division record is 1-1.

In today's game neither offense dominated to any great extent. The quarterback's numbers for both teams were almost even. The big difference between Carson Palmer and Joe Flacco were Flacco's two interceptions. The running game went to the Bengals Cedric Benson with 117 yards and one touchdown. Baltimore's running game sputtered through the whole game, but when you put Ray Rices numbers together he had a total of 135 yards and one touchdown. If you compare Benson's carries at 34 to Rice's carries at 12 it sheds some light on the difference in running yardage, but that no doubt was affected by the fact Cincinnati went up 14-0 quickly. What made the difference? Baltimore's 3rd down efficiency never got off the bench at 1 for 10. Also, give credit to the Bengals offensive line only allowing only one sack.

The game went to Cincinnati's defense with two interceptions and two take aways on Ochocinco fumbles. The Bengals defense had 4 sacks and 8 hits on the quarterback. That's about all you can say about the dominence of the defense. All the other stats were even.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh next Sunday will be a contentious and hard hitting contest for sure. It will determine who will take control of the AFC North. Will it be an offensive shoot out or will it be defensive dominance? Stay tuned, it will be the game of the week. I almost forgot, Baltimore will be in Cleveland next week for Monday Night Football. This will be Clevelands chance to turn around a bad season and make a mark. Two big games scheduled for the AFC North.