Stevan Ridley's Passionate Running Returns Balance to Inconsistent Patriots Offense, As It Should Be

The Patriots offense was beginning to bring back some old memories in recent weeks. Unwanted memories, but it was reminiscent nonetheless. After finally establishing a running game over the first five weeks of the season, for the first time in what seemed like years, the Patriots appeared to lose their way. But Stevan Ridley made sure that fleeting transition in philosophy was indeed short-lived. After throwing the ball a combined 100 times against the Seahawks (58) and Jets (42) respectively over the past two weeks and struggling to find a rhythm on offense in either game, the Patriots decided it might be best to return to their early-season strategy. The Patriots, who had handed the ball off on just 36 percent of their offensive snaps against Seattle and New York, returned to force-feeding their stable of running backs on Sunday. Ridley was the workhorse once again, and he didn't disappoint in his return to center stage. Ridley, who struggled ...