CINCINNATI - Three seasons in the NFL, three times in the playoffs. Andy Dalton has done something special during his just-getting-started career. Now he gets another chance to win one when it matters most. Dalton threw four touchdown passes on Sunday, and linebacker Vincent Rey returned an interception 25 yards for a score and the Bengals had another big day at home, beating the Minnesota Vikings 42-14 on Sunday. A few minutes after their game ended, the Bengals (10-5) clinched a playoff berth when Miami lost at Buffalo 19-0. They later clinched the AFC North title when Baltimore lost at home to New England 41-7. Its Cincinnatis first division title since 2009 and the Bengals eighth overall in their 46 seasons. And it makes it 3 for 3 for Dalton, who will be in the spotlight more than anyone else at playoff time. Its the first time in their history that the Bengals have reached the playoffs in three straight seasons. "To be in the playoffs every year since Ive been here is huge," said Dalton, only the fifth quarterback in NFL history to make the playoffs in each of his first three seasons. "It gives you a chance to accomplish the ultimate goal." Something about Paul Brown Stadium brings out the best in Dalton and the Bengals, who are 7-0 at home. Theyve topped 40 points in each of their past four home games, a franchise first. Dalton has thrown for five, three, three and four TDs in those games. "He was really grooving out there today," said A.J. Green, who caught two of the touchdowns. "We got everybody involved today." The Vikings (4-10-1) had knocked off playoff contenders Chicago and Philadelphia in the past three weeks. Even with Adrian Peterson back from a foot injury, they couldnt keep up. The Vikings had allowed the second-most points in the league heading into the game. They gave up 40 for the third time this season. Two of Cincinnatis touchdowns came off their defence. "Turnovers definitely decided the game," said Peterson, who sat out the second half with the Vikings far behind. "We put them in a position to play the game the way they wanted to play. "Its tough getting behind the 8-ball like we did." Dalton has thrown 31 touchdown passes this season, one shy of Carson Palmers club record from 2005. Dalton replaced Palmer in the 2011 season and has led the Bengals surge. His biggest shortcoming: 0-2 with two poor showings in the playoffs. The Bengals havent won a playoff game since the 1990 season, tied for the seventh-longest stretch of futility in NFL history. Dalton had good conditions for throwing the ball — breezy with temperatures in the 50s. And the defence helped out, too. Dalton threw touchdown passes of 29 yards to Green and 16 yards to Jermaine Gresham as the Bengals pulled ahead 28-7 before halftime, the most points that Minnesota had allowed in an opening half. Two of Cincinnatis first three touchdowns came courtesy of the defence. Reys interception and touchdown return made it 21-7. Giovani Bernard pulled off the games flashiest play, turning a short pass into a 41-yard play in the third quarter by doing a complete spin to avoid a tackler, stiff-arming another and reaching the 7-yard line. Dalton passed to Mohamed Sanu for his third touchdown. Green made a one-hand grab of a 2-yard pass for another TD. Peterson returned after missing a game with a sprained right foot. He got the ball on Minnesotas first two plays and gained only 4 yards. On third down, Cassel was sacked on a blitz and fumbled. End Carlos Dunlap picked up the ball and returned it to the 4-yard line. Two plays and 12 seconds later, BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran it in for a 7-0 lead. Peterson was limited to 45 yards on 11 carries. Cassel was 13 of 27 for 114 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. The Vikings took advantage of Dre Kirkpatrick for their first touchdown — the cornerback played off Jarius Wright, went for a fake and stumbled, allowing the receiver to run past him for a 36-yard score. Notes: Pat Haden of the Rams, Dan Marino of the Dolphins, Bernie Kosar of the Browns and Joe Flacco of the Ravens are the other four QBs to lead their teams to the playoffs in each of their first three seasons. ... The Vikings were 0 for 9 on third down and 0 for 2 on fourth down. ... Minnesota managed only 209 total yards, its second-lowest total of the season. ... Bengals TE Tyler Eifert sat out the second half with a pinched nerve in his neck. Kentavius Street Super Bowl Jersey . The Irish golfer, whose father Patrick died from cancer, says he underwent surgery for sun spots. The 42-year-old Harrington told Irish radio station Today FM: "Ive had a number of skin cancers removed off my face. Solomon Thomas Super Bowl Jersey . A receiver doesnt make the catch on a passing play and instantly motions to the ref – and everybody else – for a pass interference flag. http://www.49ersofficialfanshop.com/george-kittle-jersey-sales.html .com) - John Wall had 15 points, 12 assists and four steals as the Washington Wizards defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 92-85 on Monday night. Tom Rathman Super Bowl Jersey . Edmonton opened the season with 14 straight victories before falling Friday night 10-8 to the host Colorado Mammoth in National Lacrosse League action. Steve Young Super Bowl Jersey . 22 because of a bruised foot and have added forward Sean Collins to the roster on emergency recall from Springfield of the AHL.MONTREAL -- Tuukka Rask didnt look like the goalie who has had fits trying to beat the rival Montreal Canadiens. Rask stoned Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk on first period breakaways and went on to help the Bruins stretch their winning streak to six games with a 4-1 victory over the Canadiens on Wednesday night. His 35-save effort was only his third win in 15 career games against Montreal. "They had a couple of breakaways, but we kept it on the outside pretty good," said Rask, who ended Bostons five-game losing run against the Canadiens dating to last season. After weathering an all-out Montreal attack in the opening period, Carl Soderberg, Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic scored in the second as Boston capitalized on every Montreal mistake. Zdeno Chara also scored as the Bruins (43-17-5) improved to 9-1-2 in their last dozen games and extended a run without a regulation loss on the road to 11 games. "Hes been great all year," winger Brad Marchand, who had two assists, said of Rask. "Hes the guy we look to be big for us. "We didnt worry about anything thats happened in the past. Its more about how weve been playing lately. We focused on how we have to play." With 91 points, the Bruins moved to within one point of idle Pittsburgh for the Eastern Conference lead. They return to Boston to face the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night. "Were in this building and they come at us with a full court press," said Lucic. "Tuukka kept us in there. "Whenever we can withstand that pressure it gives us a chance to win. We did that and we were able to get a few good shifts in at the end of the first that carried over into the second period." David Desharnais replied for Montreal (35-25-7), which has lost three in a row and is 3-4-1 without injured No. 1 goalie Carey Price since the Olympic break. Montreal outshot Boston 36-32. As dominant as the Bruins have been, they often struggle against the Canadiens and it showed in the first period as Montreal held a 13-6 shot advantage. "We felt good about how we pushed the play in the first period and wee wanted to play the same way," said coach Michel Therrien.dddddddddddd "Obviously, after their first goal, we have to respond better." Only 1:33 into the second frame, rookie Jarred Tinordi misplayed a puck off a faceoff and Soderberg was alone in front to score. Boston went on a counterattack after Andrei Markov fell and Bergeron finished off a give-and-go with Marchand at 9:25. Lucic bumped Alexei Emelin off the puck and then trailed in on a rush to score on a routine shot that got between Peter Budajs pads for his 20th of the season at 18:32. Chara got another only 23 seconds into the third when he broke in from the point and put in his own rebound. Montreal finally got one as Desharnais found the puck in a scramble with newcomer Thomas Vanek tying up traffic in the crease. It was Vaneks first point in three games since he was acquired in a NHL trade deadline deal last week. And it was Montreals first goal in seven periods since a 3-1 loss in Phoenix last Thursday. Therrien tweaked his lines in the third period, notably moving Vanek to the first line with Pacioretty, and will consider changes to help his team find the net. "Im trying to find a solution to scoring," he said. "Were creating chances, but we cant finish right now." The surprise number of the night was 24:03. That was the ice time of Montreal defenceman Francis Bouillon, which led all players both teams. Bouillon, replacing injured Josh Gorges, was dressed for the first time since the Olympic break and had been a healthy scratch for eight games. He finished even in plus-minus. Notes: Galchenyuk played his 100th NHL game... Francis Bouillon was back in the Montreal lineup for the first time since Feb. 8, bumping Mike Weaver. Brandon Prust returned after missing seven games with an upper body injury. . . George Parros, Dale Weise and Rene Bourque were scratched. . . Boston sat Dougie Hamilton for a second game to make room for newcomer Andrej Mezsaros. Daniel Paille (concussion), Adam McQuaid (leg) and Dennis Seidenberg (torn ACL-MCL) are sidelined. ' ' '