The Ravens built another early 10-point lead.

Then they, once again, put fans on the edge of their seat.

In his first game back from a lingering foot injury, outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil came up with a huge sack/strip that the Ravens recovered as the Cincinnati Bengals threatened to tie or win the game in the final minute.

The turnover preserved a 19-14 win at M&T Bank Stadium that the Ravens desperately needed.

The Ravens offense cooled after a quick start, but kicker Justin Tucker hit four field goals, including three from beyond 50 yards in the first half, and the defense came up with two red-zone turnovers.

The Ravens' win snaps a five-game losing streak against the Bengals and puts them back atop the AFC North, tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers, at 6-5. The Ravens own the tiebreaker after beating Pittsburgh in Week 9.

Baltimore is about to head into the toughest part of its schedule with four-straight games against opponents who entered this week's action at .500 or better.

Baltimore's offense marched down the field on its opening drive and the Ravens built a 10-point lead. But they lost two games earlier this season, versus the Washington Redskins and New York Giants, after getting out to quick 10-point leads.

Once again, the Ravens failed to pull away. But at least this time, they stayed on top.

The Bengals had the ball at the Ravens' 16-yard line with one minute, 12 seconds remaining when Dumervil came up with the big play. He hadn't suited up since Oct. 9.

The Bengals had five drives into the red zone and got just one touchdown and two field goals out of it.

Impact Plays

• The Ravens opened the game with an impressive 11-play, 75-yard drive. Quarterback Joe Flacco went 5-of-6 for 50 yards and rookie running back Kenneth Dixon ripped off a 15-yard run. After not being targeted the week before, receiver Breshad Perriman hauled in a 14-yard touchdown on a lobbed third-down pass to give the Ravens an early 7-0 lead.

• Safety Eric Weddle dropped an easy interception on a deep pass, allowing the Bengals to extend a first-quarter drive that ended with a 23-yard field goal by kicker Mike Nugent to cut Baltimore's lead to 10-3. The Ravens defense came up with a stand inside its own 5-yard line.

• Flacco's first pass on the next drive was deflected at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by linebacker Rey Maualuga, setting the Bengals up in the red zone. The Ravens got the ball back, however, when Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton fumbled the snap and Dumervil pounced on it.

• Tucker capped the first half with back-to-back field goals from long distance to extend the Ravens' lead to 16-3 at the break. He sprinted onto the field for a 57-yard attempt on the first one, then nailed one from 54 yards a of couple minutes later.

• Dumervil bent around the edge to grab Dalton's right arm, sending the ball tumbling to the turf. Defensive end Lawrence Guy jumped on the loose ball. Punter Sam Koch took an intentional safety to run out the clock and seal the victory.

Standout Performer Of The Game

K Justin Tucker
Tucker hit field goals from 52, 57 and 54 yards in the first half. He drilled a 36-yard attempt in the second half. Tucker has now made a league-leading 34 straight kicks. He's the ninth kicker in NFL history to boot three field goals from 50 yards or longer in the same game.

On The Horizon
The Ravens will stay at home next Sunday to face the Miami Dolphins, who have now rattled off six straight wins and now sit at 7-4 on the season.