Just who are these Saskatchewan Roughriders?
No one truly knows the answer just yet.
The Roughriders (8-7-1) have been the definition of streaky this season. They started off 4-0, went winless in seven not long after that, and now have won three in a row heading into a big home date against the B.C. Lions on Saturday.
Win this one and the Roughriders can finish no worse than second in the West, guaranteeing home field for the division semifinal, likely also against B.C. A loss, however, would put Nathan Rourke and the Lions in second and make a trip to BC Place likely for the West semi.
“These are the fun ones, when home field is on the line or you’re on the brink of doing certain things,” Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris told reporters this week.
The good news is Saskatchewan has responded the right way to a seven-game skid, and didn’t let it define the team’s season like the past two years. In 2022 and ’23, the Roughriders ended the season on seven-game losing streaks, missing the playoffs both years.
A playoff spot was secured last week. Now, the Roughriders want to try to take the next step as they look to convince their rabid fans they’re heading in the right direction under first-year head coach Corey Mace.
“This group is not satisfied with just making the playoffs,” Harris said. “It’s not something (where) we’re taking some large exhale …. We’ve won three in a row, we haven’t done anything, we haven’t accomplished anything yet in terms of what our bigger goals were.”
Getting hot down the stretch tends to be the recipe for success come playoff time. Last year, the Montreal Alouettes won their final five regular-season games before going on a surprising playoff run, notching two upsets in the process.
The 2022 Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts won seven of their last eight games that mattered — the season finale was rendered meaningless — before capturing the title.
The Roughriders need more on their resume before they can be compared to those teams. Their last three wins have come against two non-playoff teams (the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Elks) and a slumping club (the Ottawa Redblacks).
“It’s extremely important for us to finish season strong, the right way,” Mace said. “We want to keep building off what (the team has been) doing the last few weeks and roll into the playoffs still feeling like we’re getting better each week.”
The Roughriders could get a boost against the Lions. Star running back A.J. Ouellette, who has missed the past six games, has been practising this week and could make his return.
Home sweet home
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are 40-5 at home since 2019, counting playoffs.
Little wonder they’re eager to lock up top spot in the West and earn a berth to the division final at home.
They can do that with a win over the visiting Argos on Friday. After an 0-4 start, the Blue Bombers (10-6) have surged to the top of the West and carry an eight-game win streak into this contest.
Friday’s contest marks Winnipeg’s fourth consecutive sellout at home.
“I feel like (home-field advantage) means everything, especially for us here because we have a unique crowd,” Bombers receiver Kenny Lawler said.
“We have unique fans. They’re the No. 1 fans. They’re the best in the league they’re by far the loudest. When you have that during a playoff game, I think it’s beneficial. It helps us a lot.”
Another shot for Ford
Canadian Tre Ford returns to the starting quarterback role for the Elks’ game against the Stamps in Calgary on Saturday.
It seems like Ford is always trying to prove himself, despite having a better record than any other Edmonton QB the past two years.
It will be interesting what the Elks, with an uncertain front office and coaching structure, do at quarterback in the off-season. Ford could be attractive to other teams, too.
The Stamps also have intrigue at QB after signing NFL veteran P.J. Walker to the practice squad this week.
Calgary made a trade with the Argos recently to acquire the former Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns starter off their negotiation list. Walker saw more of an opportunity to eventually start for the Stamps, who haven’t got the type of production they were hoping for from Jake Maier.
“He can move he can throw, he’s confident, he’s had success,” Stamps GM/coach Dave Dickenson told reporters. “Like a lot of guys though, he’s probably looking for a home. I think he’s been playing seven years professionally, you just kind of want to find a spot you can fit in at.”
Game of the week
It’s a bit of a lacklustre finish to the season. First place is locked up in the East (Montreal) and top spot all is but sealed up by Winnipeg in the West with three weeks left.
So, we’re left with battles for second place, starting with the B.C.-Saskatchewan tilt. It’s also nice to see the league back with an Ottawa-Montreal Thanksgiving match for a fourth year in a row.
Here’s the full Week 19 schedule.
Friday, Oct. 11: Toronto Argonauts (8-7) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-6), 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT
Saturday, Oct. 12: Edmonton Elks (5-11) at Calgary Stampeders (4-10-1), 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
Saturday, Oct. 12: B.C. Lions (8-8) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-7-1), 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
Monday, Oct. 14: Ottawa Redblacks (8-6-1) at Montreal Alouettes (11-3-1), 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT