While he was as useful as a corpse, Ridley was hardly the problem on the final drive - It was the inability of the offense and TB to close out a game with the lead and ball with under 5 minutes left (despite being helped by 2 penalties on B'More). I was at the game and the LOUDEST chants of "Bull*****" were raining down because the home crowd seemed to feel the refs were going to not give their team a chance (IMO).
Ravens fans chanting Bull**** vs the Patriots - YouTube
The game was still ours to lose on 2nd and 9 at the Baltimore 44 yard line. Instead of moving forward and having a possible shot at a FG to ice it, we take a sack and fall to 3rd and 16. That 3rd down play was a feeble pass to Gronk the flat that almost looked like it was going to go for a pick 6.
1st-10, NE20 4:01 T. Brady incomplete pass to the right
2nd-10, NE20 3:57 T. Brady passed to W. Welker to the right for 11 yard gain
1st-10, NE31 3:15 S. Ridley rushed to the left for 1 yard gain
2nd-9, NE32 2:32 T. Brady incomplete pass to the left
3rd-9, NE32 2:28 Baltimore committed 5 yard penalty
1st-10, NE37 2:23 S. Ridley rushed to the left for 3 yard gain. Baltimore committed 15 yard penalty
1st-10, BAL45 2:18 S. Ridley rushed to the right for 1 yard gain
2nd-9, BAL44 2:12 T. Brady sacked by D. Ellerbe and H. Ngata
3rd-16, NE49 2:06 T. Brady incomplete pass to the right
4th-16, NE49 1:55 Z. Mesko punt.