New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley carried the ball 26 times for 115 yards and two touchdowns in a 55-31 Week 9 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The performance marked the second time this year that Ridley was able to find the end zone multiple times in a game.
Stevan Ridley twice as nice against Steelers, top notch fantasy output
The Ravens running back was held in check by the Browns defense. We break down the fantasy implications.
Jim Rogash
Fantasy impact: Ridley did an admirable job carrying the load for the Patriots on the ground in a game that saw a total of 84 points scored with both Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger throwing for at least 400 yards and four touchdown passes in the game.
Ridley did fumble the ball in the second half which stood as his only blemish on the afternoon. Coach Bill Belichick stated afterwards that he didn’t want to place any blame on Ridley for the fumble. In fact, right after he lost the ball, he promptly got the Patriots a first down on the very next play.
The Patriots go into their bye week in Week 10 and then get the services of Shane Vereen back for Week 11. Fantasy owners should definitely start Ridley when the Patriots are back to playing, but it will be interesting to see if Coach Belichick changes the dynamic of the running game and how the carries are divided between all of his options, especially considering that fellow running backs Brandon Bolden and LeGarrette Blount have also played well when given the ball out of the backfield.
