Ravens clinch No. 2 seed, Bengals back into playoffs

CINCINNATI -- The Baltimore Ravens finished a perfect run through the division last night, beating the Cincinnati Bengals, 24-16, for its third AFC North title behind Ray Rice's two long touchdown runs.

With Rice's big day, Baltimore (12-4) clinched the AFC's No. 2 seed and a first-round bye, followed by a playoff game at home, where the Ravens are 8-0 this season.

"This is a great achievement, especially when you consider whatever doubters we had," linebacker Ray Lewis said. "We swept our whole division. Now the world comes to Baltimore."

Despite the loss, the Bengals (9-7) also got into the playoffs, securing the final wild card because the Jets also lost. It's Cincinnati's third playoff appearance in the last 21 years.

The Bengals reached the playoffs despite losing all seven of their games against playoff contenders this season. They lost five of their last eight games.

"It's kind of weird," said rookie quarterback Andy Dalton, who was 22-for-44 passing for 232 yards with no interceptions or touchdowns. "Obviously, we didn't get it done today, but we still have a chance."

Cincinnati will play next weekend at Houston, which celebrated winning the AFC South title after beating the Bengals, 20-19, at Paul Brown Stadium on Dec. 11. Dalton is 3-0 at Houston's Reliant Stadium, where he played two games in high school and one at TCU.

With Paul Brown Stadium packed with Bengals fans for the first time all season, Rice made the biggest plays on a blustery afternoon that made it tough to throw. He had a career-best 70-yard touchdown run on the fourth play. Rice also broke a 51-yard touchdown run on a third-and-1 play with 5:41 to go, essentially finishing Cincinnati's chances of yet another big comeback. Rice finished with 191 yards on 24 carries and set a club record with his 15th touchdown of the season. -- AP