Proving time for Bengals, Ravens

Nov 5, 2009 - 5:27 PM By BARRY WILNER AP Football Writer

It's proving time for the Bengals. And maybe the Ravens, too.

Cincinnati sits atop the AFC North along with Pittsburgh at 5-2, and the Bengals have beaten the Steelers and Ravens. Next week, they visit the Steel City.

So this is make or break time for a team usually too fragile to handle such pressure. And usually too inept to put themselves in this position.

But these Bengals have impressed with their moxie and their versatility. They're favored by three points.

"We're in a good spot right now," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "Being 5-2 and tied for first in the division - it's ours to lose, really. We just need to hang on for as long as we can and finish the season with a bunch of wins and see what happens as far as the playoff picture's concerned.

"But that's a little far down the road for us right now. It's about Baltimore, and then it's about Pittsburgh. I don't even know who we play after that, honestly."

Sweep both games and it would take a monumental collapse for Cincinnati to not make the playoffs, no matter who else is on the schedule.

Baltimore got back to winning by handing Denver its first loss. The Ravens were awfully sloppy in their three-game slide, but were close at the end of all three defeats.

They also are carrying a grudge after falling at home to Cincy four weeks ago.

BEST BET: RAVENS, 21-20



Houston (plus 10) at Indianapolis=

Texans are 1-13 against the Colts. This is best Houston team since entering the NFL.

UPSET SPECIAL: TEXANS, 27-24



Washington (plus 10) at Atlanta=

Falcons need some home cooking after losses at Dallas and New Orleans.

FALCONS, 24-10



San Diego (plus 3) at N.Y. Giants=

Chargers on the upswing, Giants in a slump. Both trends end here.

GIANTS, 27-20



Dallas (plus 3) at Philadelphia=

When they have their focus, Eagles are as good as anybody. Where will their heads be this week?

EAGLES, 27-23



Pittsburgh (minus 2 1/2) at Denver (Monday night)=

Ravens exposed some of Denver's weaknesses. Steelers can do that even better. But it will be close.

STEELERS, 19-17



Green Bay (minus 10) at Tampa Bay=

Packers' OL woes won't matter against movable Bucs.

PACKERS, 24-10



Arizona (plus 3) at Chicago=

Suddenly, Cardinals are more reliable on the road. So ...

CARDINALS, 24-17



Miami (plus 10 1/2) at New England=

Time for Patriots to start putting away a stunningly weak division.

PATRIOTS, 31-17



Carolina (plus 14 1/2) at New Orleans=

Panthers could keep it close with their running game and some takeaways. Oops, that's New Orleans' modus operandi.

SAINTS, 34-20



Tennessee (plus 6) at San Francisco=

Both teams are better than their records. Niners are more impressive.

49ERS, 20-16



Detroit (plus 9 1/2) at Seattle=

Even this banged up, Seahawks can handle the truly feeble.

SEAHAWKS, 20-7

Kansas City (plus 7) at Jacksonville=

Jaguars are like a seesaw. This week, they'll be up.

JAGUARS, 17-12



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RECORD:

Versus spread, 3-9 (51-58-2 season); Straight up, 9-4 (80-36 season)

Best Bet: 4-4

Upset Special: 5-3