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Although it feels like Stevan Ridley is one fumble away from Bill Belichick‘s dog house, the New England Patriots keep deciding to feed the four-year veteran the football. When he is not fumbling, Ridley is an extremely talented football player, but his proneness to giving the ball away and his inconsistencies have made it hard for fantasy football owners to trust Ridley. After a Week 2 performance where he carried the ball 25 times for 101 yards and a touchdown, Ridley fantasy football owners need to start the LSU product going forward.
The Patriots had problems running the ball in Week 1 against a stout Miami Dolphins defense, but things changed in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings. Not only was Ridley producing, but he looked good on the football field. Ridley hit holes well and he did a nice job creating extra space. His performance in Week 2 gave Patriots fans glimpses of his 2012 self, when he ran the ball for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Another thing fantasy football owners tend to forget about Ridley is that he is a three-down back now in New England. With LeGarrette Blount out of the picture, the Patriots hand the ball off to Ridley in the redzone. As fantasy football owners know, having backs that score long touchdowns and short-distance touchdowns are extremely valuable, and Ridley is just that in 2014. The Patriots will likely pummel the Oakland Raiders in Week 3 and that could spell for another solid fantasy day for Ridley.
Week 3 Fantasy Football Projection: 22 carries, 88 rushing yards, three catches, 22 yards, and a touchdown.
Ryan Ratty is a featured writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RyanRattyNFL or add him to your network on Google.
