Bengals take big step forward in AFC North

[Jungletiger]

Bengals take big step forward in AFC North

By DAVID GINSBURG (AP Sports Writer) 4 hours ago AP - Sports

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Cincinnati Bengals probably couldn't imagine a better way to begin defense of their AFC North title than to defeat a division rival in its own stadium.

Especially when it's the Baltimore Ravens.

''Anytime you come in here and win a football game, it's a big win,'' Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis said Sunday after the Bengals beat the Ravens 23-16. ''It's a division win, and it's on the road.''

The Bengals, who had lost four straight in Baltimore, considered this game to be a gauge of their improvement during the offseason.

''We did exactly what we set out to do there today,'' said Andy Dalton, whose 77-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Green with 4:58 left proved to be the difference. ''There are a lot of tough places to play in this league and this is certainly one of the toughest. It was the only place I had not won since joining the Bengals.''

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