Stevan Ridley and Logan Ryan among today's stars, despite being benched to start the game

Last week, cornerback Logan Ryan returned an interception for a touchdown which is all good and fun. However, he decided to make a certain gesture as a celebration that resulted with the NFL slapping him with a $10,000 fine. He started the game today on the bench, right next to running back Stevan Ridley who started the game ridding the pine. The true reason for Ridley's benching is unknown.

In Ryan's case, once he returned after not playing in the first quarter (presumably for disciplinary reasons), the defensive back was a force to be reckoned with. In addition to some key pass breakups and one sack, the DB also had a second clutch strip-sack when the Dolphins were at the 10-yard line. Though he was not the sole reason for the defense stepping up in the second half, he was definitely a factor in it.

Stevan Ridley was a different story. The RB who the Patriots featured in their offense last year and totaled over 1200 yards rushing has scarcely seen the field this season.. Fumble issues may be the reason for his reduced playing time, but there should be a certain point where the coaches realize that this guy needs to play. That may have happened today; when Ridley came into the game, he produced clutch rushes that took up solid chunks of yardage, something that LeGarrette Blount and Brandon Bolden were struggling to do.

These two were among many Patriots players that definitely stepped up in a collective effort to turn things around in the second half. Though unlikely because of them starting the game on the bench, Ridley and Ryan were among the many stars of today's game.

Anthony Aidonidis
@aidonidis18