NASHVILLE // The primary story lines attached to the Cincinnati Bengalsbefore the season were their standoff with their veteran quarterback, Carson Palmer, and assumptions that they would be terrible. As they usually are.
Eight games later, the Bengals are 6-2 for only the second time since 1988, which is also the last season in which they ran off five victories in succession, as they have this year after a 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
The rookie, Andy Dalton, who replaced the since-traded Palmer, threw three touchdown passes as the Bengals gained a share of the AFC North lead with the Baltimore Ravens.
"We're at where we want to be now, and that's in the thick of things in our division," said AJ Green, who caught seven passes for 83 yards. "We've got some division games coming up that are going to be tough, but I feel like this team right here is going to fight and compete in every game."
The toughest part of the schedule is ahead: home to Pittsburgh, at Baltimore and a trip to Pittsburgh two weeks later.
Green said the Bengals are ready.
"We are young and we are hungry," he said.
Tennessee (4-4) lost for the third time in four outings, and the Titans are looking for answers after failing to hold a double-digit lead at home in a game in which Chris Johnson ran for 110 yards.
The Bengals overcame a 10-point deficit, and their coach, Marvin Lewis, gave Dalton credit.
"Our quarterback has done a nice job," Lewis said. "It was loud out there, louder than we expected. I think he's done a nice job of handling that. He doesn't get unnerved, he just keeps coming back and just playing."