OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After losing to Cincinnati in the season opener, the Baltimore Ravens stayed resilient and responded with victories in five of their next six games.

That tenacity paid off as Baltimore now sits atop the AFC North with the rematch against the Bengals looming in Week 8. The Ravens (5-2) will look to tighten their grip on the division against Cincinnati (3-2-1), which has struggled recently.

Baltimore, meanwhile, appears to be clicking on all cylinders.

The defense has recorded 10 sacks over the past two games and the offense has been running efficiently, with quarterback Joe Flacco thriving under Gary Kubiak’s tutelage.

“Huge game this week,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “Our eyes are on the horizon. We’re headed to Cincinnati. It’s a very, very tough place to play. They’re a very, very good football team. We know each other inside and out, and we’re looking forward to the opportunity.”

Flacco has thrown for 1,854 yards, with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has a passer rating of 97.2.

In Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons, Flacco did not put up great numbers, completing 16 of 25 passes for 258 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. However, he did enough to lead the Ravens to the 29-7 victory.

He also has been able to put the disappointment of the Week 1 loss behind him.

In that game, Flacco gave Baltimore its first lead of the game when he found wide receiver Steve Smith streaking down the sideline with 5:46 left for an 80-yard touchdown. However, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton responded on the ensuing drive with a 77-yard strike to wide receiver A.J. Green, leading the Bengals to a 23-16 victory.

Flacco understands the challenge this week.

“We just have to go out there and continue to play well,” Flacco said. “We have a tough opponent … that we didn’t play necessarily good against, at least for half of a football (game), in the first game. We have to come back out there and prove ourselves. They’re a good football team, and they’re going to be hungry, and we’re there. So it’s going to be a tough test. Can’t wait for it.”

After struggling earlier in the season with some drops, wide receiver Torrey Smith has re-established himself as a down-field threat, catching three touchdown passes over the past two weeks. Smith has continued to torment defenses, which has helped soften some of the coverage for the other receivers.

There were questions surrounding the running game heading into the season after the team released incumbent starter Ray Rice. However, veteran Justin Forsett has shown he can effectively carry the load. He ranks fourth in the NFL with 503 yards on 87 carries (5.8 ypc) and three touchdowns.

Baltimore has rushed for at least 120 yards in five games this season, going undefeated in all of those contests.

Cincinnati started strong but has started to fade. The Bengals were blown out by New England, 43-17, in Week 5. They then tied visiting Carolina, 37-37, before being shut out by the Indianapolis Colts, 27-0, in Week 7.

If the Ravens can get past Cincinnati, they will be sitting in an enviable position for the postseason.

“This is a special team,” Forsett said. “This atmosphere is different from any place I’ve ever been, and the sky is the limit for us. Man, offense, defense, special teams — I think we’re clicking right now.”

After a slow start, the Ravens’ defense has been dominant. Over the past two games, it has limited opposing offenses to 6 of 27 on third down (22.2 percent).

It also produced five sacks in back-to-back games for the first time since December 2006.

Linebacker Pernell McPhee has led the way, finishing with at least one sack in three straight games.

“We’re dangerous, and we’re real serious,” McPhee said. “We’re coming out playing with an attitude. Our back end needs us, and I know we need them. I think coach Dean Pees is doing a great job of calling the plays and setting us up to get the sacks. We’re just focusing in and trying to play ball.”

In short, the Ravens have come a long way since that season-opening loss to the Bengals. In Week 8, they will have an even better gauge of how far they have traveled.

NOTES: The Ravens signed Kevin McDermott as the long snapper to replace Morgan Cox, who suffered a torn ACL in his right knee against the Falcons. … TE Owen Daniels caught six passes for 58 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons. He has a reception in 95 consecutive games — the longest active streak in the NFL. … OLB Elvis Dumervil had two sacks against the Falcons and leads the team with seven.

REPORT CARD VS. FALCONS

—PASSING OFFENSE: B-minus — QB Joe Flacco completed 16 of 25 passes for 258 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Ravens were able to overcome those two miscues. WR Torrey Smith continues to get more involved in the offense; he caught three passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Owen Daniels has also emerged as one of the team’s top playmakers; he caught six passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.

—RUSHING OFFENSE: B — Justin Forsett led all runners with 95 yards on 23 carries. Bernard Pierce had 21 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Baltimore has rushed for at least 120 yards in five games, which has helped keep the defense off the field.

—PASS DEFENSE: A-minus — The Ravens did a solid job against one of the most talented receiving corps in the NFL. Lardarius Webb continues to show improvement after recovering from a lower-back injury. Jimmy Smith is establishing himself as one of the top corners in the game.

—RUSH DEFENSE: A — Baltimore’s defensive line dominated the Falcons, who had just 68 yards rushing. Quarterback Matt Ryan was under constant pressure and suffered five sacks. Linebacker Daryl Smith led the team with 13 tackles.

—SPECIAL TEAMS: B — Baltimore was effective in containing Devin Hester, one of the most dangerous returners in the NFL. Justin Tucker made a pair of 38-yard field goals and Sam Koch had four punts for 157 yards. Jacoby Jones, however, fumbled a punt for the second time in three weeks.

—COACHING: A — Coach John Harbaugh and his staff had the players fully prepared and executed a solid game plan against a dangerous offense. Baltimore got off to another quick start and never looked back against the Falcons. Baltimore has taken over first place in the AFC North, with a showdown against division rival Cincinnati up next.