Dalton’s air attack lifts Bengals past Ravens

CINCINNATI (AP) — Andy Dalton threw four touchdown passes in the first half – three to A.J. Green – against a defence that has bedeviled him throughout his career, and the Cincinnati Bengals held on for a 34-23 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night.

Dalton knocked the Ravens (1-1) out of playoff contention last season by throwing a 49-yard touchdown pass in the closing seconds of the final game in Baltimore. On Thursday, he sliced-and-diced a defence that has more often gotten the upper hand in their AFC North rivalry, leading Cincinnati (2-0) to an early 21-point lead.

Heading into the game, Dalton had thrown more interceptions (17) than touchdowns (15) against the Ravens, including a four-interception game at Paul Brown Stadium last season. Dalton finished 24 of 42 for 265 yards, throwing four touchdown passes for only the fifth time in his career.

Green set the tone with touchdown catches of four, 28 and seven yards on consecutive possessions, a career high. Upset that he fumbled twice during a 34-23 win at Indianapolis on Sunday, he caught everything near him during the Bengals’ early surge.

Green finished with five catches for 69 yards.

Dalton’s 14-yard touchdown throw to Tyler Boyd made it 28-7 late in the first half.

Joe Flacco was sharp in an opening 47-3 win over the Bills, but couldn’t do anything against Cincinnati until the Bengals led by three touchdowns.