Ravens are complete in 34-3 win over Bengals

CINCINNATI -- For much of his time in Baltimore, linebacker Ray Lewis has been the leader of a defense that had to do extraordinary things in order for the Ravens to have a chance.

That seems to be changing.

The defense is still extraordinary -- take a look at what it just did to the Bengals -- but the offense is starting to hold its own, too.

The Ravens kept pace in the AFC North by beating Cincinnati 34-3 on Sunday with a high-voltage defense and an offense that showed a little ore of those."

Clayton's best moment was yet to come. He ran past stumbling cornerback Leon Hall, stretched out his right hand and made a one-handed catch in stride for a 70-yard touchdown play.

"I was just running," said Clayton, who finished with five catches for 164 yards. "I looked back and the ball was in the air. I just kind of stuck my hand out in the air."

Flacco had another beyond-his-years showing, completing 19-of-29 for 280 yards and two touchdowns. In the past seven games, the first-round pick from Delaware has thrown 11 touchdowns with only two interceptions, taking more chances with his receivers.

"I think you see they're starting to come alive and make all the plays, not just one out of so many," Flacco said. "I'm starting to trust them more, so I'm putting the ball where they're going to get it."

It's all very impressive to their imposing linebacker.

"I just think it's exciting the way we're playing football right now," Lewis said.

Notes: The Ravens swept their season series with Cincinnati for the first time since 2002. ... Clayton also had a diving 45-yard catch. ... The Ravens' defense hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 31 games, the longest current streak in the NFL. ... The Bengals managed only 154 yards in a season-opening loss at Baltimore. They had 155 yards in the rematch. ... It was Cincinnati's most lopsided loss since 2000.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)