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Bengals eliminate Ravens from playoff picture

After throwing for two touchdowns, Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton added a third score on a 1-yard run.david kohl/associated press
Bengals 34
Ravens 17

CINCINNATI — Even when Andy Dalton is mixing interceptions and touchdowns, the Bengals somehow find a way to win at home. And that's the best thing the AFC North champions take with them into the postseason.

Their next game will be at Paul Brown Stadium, where the Bengals are still perfect.

Dalton threw for two touchdowns, ran for another, and set a pair of Bengals passing records on Sunday, leading Cincinnati to a 34-17 victory that eliminated the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens.

The Bengals (11-5) are 8-0 at home and will host San Diego in a playoff game next weekend. They beat the Chargers, 17-10, in San Diego on Dec. 1. Cincinnati wound up with the No. 3 seed when the Patriots beat Buffalo, 34-20, later Sunday to clinch the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.

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''We're playing with a lot of confidence right now,'' said Dalton, who was 21 of 36 for 281 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. ''The last couple of years we played on the road. For us to have a home game here, it'll be a great environment.

''We're ready for the playoffs to start.''

The Ravens (8-8) lost their last two games, denying them a chance to make the playoffs for a sixth straight season. They couldn't avoid the Super Bowl slump that's so common.

The Ravens became the 15th Super Bowl champ that failed to reach the playoffs the following season, and the sixth in the last 12 years. Their running game fell apart, the offense had to settle for field goals, and the defense missed Ray Lewis's inspiration in the big moments.

''That's it,'' coach John Harbaugh said. ''That ends it. That stings.''

In Cincinnati, there's only one thing in mind: win a playoff game for the first time since the 1990 season. The Bengals lost opening-round games in Houston each of the last two seasons, leaving them tied for the seventh-longest stretch of playoff futility in NFL history.

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This time, they'll be playing at home, where they've scored 49, 41, 42, 42, and 34 points in their last five games.

''If we continue to put up 30-plus points a game and continue playing defense the way we are, we'll have a chance to make a lot of noise,'' offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth said.

Most of the focus will be on Dalton, who has had two horrid games in the playoffs.

Dalton threw interceptions on Cincinnati's first two possessions Sunday, then regrouped. He threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Green, who got behind a defense that went for a fake handoff. Marvin Jones made a one-hand, diving catch in the end zone for a 16-yard score just before halftime.

After the Ravens tied it at 17 in the third quarter, Dalton led a 90-yard drive that ended with his 1-yard touchdown run.

''He just keeps being Andy,'' coach Marvin Lewis said. ''He just keeps playing.''

All too often this season, the Ravens settled for field goals when they got close to the goal line. They did it again on Sunday, managing only three field goals off Dalton's first three interceptions. Justin Tucker was good from 38, 22, and 34 yards, giving him a club record of 38 field goals.

The Ravens took advantage of Shawn Powell's 10-yard shanked punt and evened it, 17-all, in the third quarter. Flacco threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Marlon Brown, and Ray Rice ran for the 2-point conversion.

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Dalton responded by leading the 90-yard touchdown drive culminating in his run after a faked handoff. Dre Kirkpatrick had two interceptions in the fourth quarter that sealed it, including a 21-yard return for a touchdown.

Flacco, playing his second game on a sprained left knee, was 30 of 50 for 192 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.