Ravens’ quick start too much for Bengals

The Baltimore Ravens enjoyed an outstanding start against the Cincinnati Bengals, then spent the next 55 minutes protecting the advantage.

The Ravens prevailed, and now they’ll try to maintain a commanding lead in the AFC North over the next eight weeks.

Baltimore scored two quick touchdowns off turnovers and never trailed in a 26-20 victory Sunday, their second straight since Coach Brian Billick took control of the offense.

“Huge win for us in the division,” Billick said. “It puts us in a position to go forward and do some good things.”

Steve McNair passed for 245 yards, Jamal Lewis scored a touchdown and Matt Stover kicked four field goals for the Ravens (6-2), who took a two-game lead over Cincinnati.

Since Billick fired offensive coordinator Jim Fassel and assumed play-calling duties, the Ravens have scored 61 points and McNair has played brilliantly. He was 21 for 30 against the Bengals after going 17 for 23 in a 35-22 win at New Orleans.

McNair fared far better than Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer, who went 12 for 26 for 195 yards. His first pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown, and his last pass was also intercepted, ending any hope the Bengals (4-4) had of finishing a comeback from a 17-0 deficit.

The Bengals’ fourth loss in five games was particularly frustrating for receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

“We’re just a better team than they are. We didn’t win the game and I’m sure they’ll get a laugh over that,” he said. “But deep down, we know we’re better than Baltimore and they know it. We’ve got better players than they do.”