Detroit, MI (My Sportsbook) - Carson Palmer threw for 274 yards with three scores and set a team record for touchdown passes in a season, as the Cincinnati Bengals locked up their first division championship since 1990 with a 41-17 victory over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.

Rudi Johnson rushed 24 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns for the Bengals (11-3), who capitalized on four turnovers in the first half, including a fumble on the opening kickoff, to secure the AFC North title. Cincinnati, which raced out to a 24-7 halftime lead, posted its fourth straight win and moved to 6-1 on the road this season.

Palmer's 30 touchdown passes in 2005 eclipsed the old mark of 29 held by Ken Anderson in 1981, the season the Bengals lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl at the Silverdome. Palmer completed 28-of-39 passes and was also picked off twice before giving way to Jon Kitna in the fourth quarter.

"It's a great accomplishment." Palmer said. "It's one of the many goals we set out to do and accomplish at the beginning of the year. The good thing is we all realize this is just one of our goals. Hopefully we get a shot to keep playing throughout the playoffs."

Chad Johnson caught 11 passes for 99 yards and a TD for Cincinnati, but was not involved in an end zone celebration.

"The game we played today was of too much importance I didn't want to celebrate," said Chad Johnson. "I just wanted to play this one out all the way through, no celebration. I just wanted to make sure we came out with a victory. I got something next week since we won the division."

A defensive record was also broken for the Bengals, as cornerback Deltha O'Neal recorded his 10th interception of the season, surpassing the nine INTs from Ken Riley in 1976.

Jeff Garcia connected on 13-of-21 passes for a touchdown and was picked off three times for the Lions (4-10), who lost their fifth straight game, including third in a row under interim head coach Dick Jauron.

The problems started immediately for the Lions, as R.W. McQuarters fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to a Shayne Graham 28-yard field goal.

"Well that was a long day," said Jauron. "That was what you fear may happen and then it happens. It started clearly from the first kickoff when we turned it over."

The Lions went three-and-out on their first offensive possession, and Palmer drove the Bengals 68 yards in seven plays, culminating the march with an 18- yard TD strike to Kelley Washington.

Shawn Bryson fumbled the next kickoff, but the Lions got the ball back. However, four plays later, John Thornton picked off Garcia and Palmer connected with Chad Johnson from one yard out to make it 17-0 with 2:59 left in the opening quarter.

Garcia hit Roy Williams with a five-yard scoring toss early in the second quarter, but the Bengals came right back for a 24-7 advantage. Palmer passed across the field to the left side to T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who lowered his head to complete a seven-yard play for a touchdown with 9:20 remaining in the half.

O'Neal picked off Garcia on the next possession, but Palmer was then intercepted by Andre' Goodman.

Rudi Johnson ran four yards to the end zone with 9:32 left in the third quarter for a 31-7 advantage before Detroit's Jason Hanson kicked a 45-yard field goal later in the stanza.

Another TD run by Johnson, off left tackle from 16 yards out, extended the Bengals to a 38-10 cushion with 11:01 remaining.

Joey Harrington then threw 35 yards for a score to Charles Rogers with 6:44 left before Graham split the uprights from 33 yards out with 1:55 remaining, shortly after the Lions failed with an onside kickoff.

The Bengals, playing in front of many of their fans, celebrated by dousing head coach Marvin Lewis with contents of two water coolers.

"Even a garbage can gets a steak every now and then. I'm happy for everybody," said Bengals offensive tackle Willie Anderson, who has been with the club since 1996. "Everyone's always saying 'oh Willie.' All these guys around here, especially those who went through that 2-14 season (2002). When Marvin took on this job he saw a nucleus of guys he wanted to keep. These are good guys."

Now that they're in the playoffs, the Bengals' goal is to return to Detroit, the site of Super Bowl XL.

"It means we're heading in the right direction," said Rudi Johnson. "It's a good stepping stone to what we're trying to accomplish. The hard work is paying off. The AFC North championship is a great accomplishment for this team. At the same time we have bigger things on our agenda. We're going to continue playing for the next two months."

Game Notes

Cincinnati has won the last three meetings...The Lions finished 3-5 at home. They have games against New Orleans and Pittsburgh remaining...Houshmandzadeh left the game with a foot injury in the second half...The Lions have lost at least 10 games in five of the last six seasons...The Bengals outgained the Lions, 426-270...Artose Pinner had 15 carries for 55 yards for Detroit, while Harrington completed 6-of-7 passes for 77 yards with the fourth quarter score...Detroit's Dre' Bly had his 30th career interception.