BENGALS BEAT RAVENS IN LOW SCORING BATTLE

The Cincinnati Bengals opened up a 17-0 halftime lead and the defense took care of the rest as they grinded their way to a 17-7 home victory over the Baltimore Ravens.  Cedric Benson ran for 117 yards and Carson Palmer played efficient and mistake free football as the Bengals improved to 4-0 in the AFC North.  Cincinnati is now 6-2 overall while the Ravens dropped to 4-4.

NFL pointspread players also profited from the Cincinnati victory as they won outright as +3 home underdogs.  Both teams are now 5-3 ATS on the season.  The 24 combined points went UNDER the posted total of 45.  Both the Bengals and Ravens have an even NFL totals mark at 4-4.

After the game, Palmer said that maturity is a large part of his team’s success this season:

"We're much more mature. 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."

Added receiver Chad Ochocinco:

"That's pretty cool. I like being in the driver's seat. Today was a statement game. I want every game to be a statement game."

Cincinnati safety Chris Crocker said the team is motivated by media naysayers:

"We're not surprised, we're really not. Everyone on the outside is, 'Oh, the Bengals got another one, but they'll fall apart any time.'"

In the losing locker room, Ravens’ QB Joe Flacco didn’t have any answers:

"We're not in a great spot. We're in a tough spot."

While defensive end Trevor Price strongly suggested that the Bengals are the real deal:

"None of us played well . They had solid techniques and played physical. And they are a physical team -- don't let anybody tell you they aren't."

Baltimore running back Ray Rice concurred:

"They're not like last year, that's clear.”

The Bengals have another big divisional confrontation this weekend as they travel to Pittsburgh to face the defending Superbowl champion Steelers.  Cincinnati is a +7 road underdog with the total set at 41’.  They’ll make the long trip west the following Sunday to take on the Oakland Raiders before returning home on November 29 to face the Cleveland Browns.  Baltimore will travel to Cleveland to play the Browns this Monday night.  The Ravens are -10’ point road favorites with the total set at 40.  They’ll host the Indianapolis Colts the following Sunday and the Pittsburgh Steelers one week later.