For all the attention directed at the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense during their 5-2 start, questions have often followed about the defense’s tendency to dig holes or jeopardize leads.

However, no one was voicing those doubts following Sunday’s 17-7 win vs. Baltimore.

The Bengals’ beleaguered defense allowed only a fourth-quarter scoring drive and sealed the victory with three consecutive sacks of quarterback Joe Flacco during the Ravens’ comeback bid. Cincinnati held the league’s No. 3 team in third-down conversions (48.4%) to just one in 10 tries and 215 total yards while forcing two turnovers.

That’s the type of defense Baltimore was known for not long ago.

“When you’re playing the Ravens, the best defense on the field that day is going to win,” Bengals cornerback Leon Hall said. “You focus on the offense, but you look on the defensive side of the ball and just try to play better than them. It was just guys out there making plays.”

As a result the Bengals (6-2) earned, not only their best start in 20 years, but a season sweep of the Ravens and most importantly, first place in the AFC North pending Pittsburgh’s outcome Monday night at Denver. They also improved to 4-0 in the division.

Baltimore (4-4) was left with its fourth loss in five games and little hope of winning the division. (more…)