BALTIMORE — In a duel for first place in the AFC North, the Cincinnati Bengals found another way to win a close game.

Carson Palmer threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Andre Caldwell with 22 seconds left to cap an 80-yard drive, and the Bengals escaped with a 17-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
All five of Cincinnati’s games this season have been decided by seven points for fewer. It appeared as if the Bengals (4-1) were destined to come out on the short end of this one until Palmer masterfully directed the final drive — with the help of three yellow flags.
An illegal contact penalty against the Ravens’ Chris Carr and an unnecessary roughness call against Ray Lewis preceded the topper, a pass interference penalty against Frank Walker on third and 16 from the Baltimore 30.
On the next play, Palmer found Caldwell over the middle for the winning score.