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Ngata Ready for First Road Game of 2014

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The Baltimore Ravens hit the road for the first time this season when they play the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday in hopes of their second-straight victory over a division rival.

The Ravens have always been successful when playing in Cleveland (10-5) but these aren’t necessarily the Browns of old and the Ravens should certainly expect a tightly contested matchup.

Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata talked about the contest after practice on Wednesday.

“Getting that confidence, for us, has been seeing how we do in a hostile environment,” Ngata said. “Getting a win up there [in Cleveland] would be huge for our team and it would give us some confidence going into the season.”

Ngata, who needs two total tackles to reach 500 for his career, understands the importance of starting a new chapter in playing away from the friendly confines of M&T Bank Stadium. Under head coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens are a mere 23-25 on the road since 2008.

“[There are] different things each time,” Ngata recalled about the recent road woes. “On defense, not getting off the field, and [on] offense, not moving the ball. It’s just always different things every time. We just have to bring a complete game – team game – at away games, and hopefully we can get wins.”

Heading into the Dawg Pound in Cleveland on Sunday, the Ravens will need to be a complete team, excelling in all three phases of the game.

The “bend but don’t break” defense has been on display again for the Ravens through two games of the young season. They have not allowed a touchdown on four red zone appearances by opponents this season, and, even more impressive, is the fact that their defense has only allowed one touchdown since they kicked off their 2014 campaign.

“Defensively, we realize we have to get off the field,” Ngata said. “Last year in Cleveland we didn’t get off the field, and they were able to keep the ball and beat us at their home. We know we definitely have to get our offense chances towards the end of the game and hopefully get some points.”

While any game between AFC North rivals is played with intensity, on paper the Ravens are a far better team than the Browns.

That is, as long as the starting quarterback is in. On Wednesday, Ravens fans got a bit of a scare as Joe Flacco missed practice with what was later revealed to be a simple illness.

“It was weird,” Ngata said of not having number 5 on the practice field. “‘Sizzle’ (Terrell Suggs) and I were thinking, like, we’ve never actually been at a practice without Joe Flacco being out there. Whatever he has going on, I hope for all the best for him.”

While it’s doubtful Joe will miss Sunday’s game, Ngata and the rest of the defense should certainly be ready and focused on stopping an inexperienced Browns offense.

Follow me on Twitter @sportguyRSR

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