Inside the CFL: Revenge is sweet

By Ryan McCracken on November 7, 2017.

The last time the Roughriders and Ottawa met in post-season play was one of the darkest days in the history of Saskatchewan sports. It was Sunday, November 28, 1976 when Tom Clements found Tony Gabriel alone in the end-zone in the last minute of play and connected for the come-from-behind winning touchdown. Ron Lancaster’s crew were defeated 23-20. That was 41 years ago and the team from Ottawa was called the Rough Riders.

The Roughriders will be without their outstanding left guard Brendon Labatte, a casualty of their 28-13 loss to Edmonton. He will likely be replaced by Derek Dennis, last year’s Most Outstanding Offensive lineman as a Stampeder but a bust as Saskatchewan’s premier free agent signing. He has a chance to redeem himself.

Saskatchewan won in Ottawa, 18-17, Sept. 29. The Redblacks took the return match in Regina 33-32, Oct. 20. Both games were decided in the last minute. The fact they played recently means there should be no surprises Sunday.

Ottawa ranked fourth in total offence, Saskatchewan seventh. Ottawa was sixth in rushing, the Riders last. Statistically, their passing games were equal. The Redblacks were the least penalized but they turned the ball over a lot more. Ottawa must protect the football to win.

If Rider boss Chris Jones comes to his senses and starts Duron Carter on offence, then both clubs will field a great receiver, the other, Ottawa’s Greg Ellingson, No. 2 in the league. A key to victory for the Riders can be Chad Owens a real spark plug who can pick up crucial first downs. Along with Carter the Riders have Bakari Grant,Jr., Caleb Holley and Rob Bagg. Ottawa ranked seventh on pass defence. Give the Redblacks a big edge on the ground where William Powell finished second in rushing with 1025 yards. Saskatchewan ranked sixth against the run. Ottawa gave up fewer sacks and recorded more. Give the Riders a slight edge on special teams.

Key will be quarterbacking. If Kevin Glenn starts for the Westerners, it could be over early. Brandon Bridge has been impressive at times but the youngster is facing the biggest test of his career. Trevor Harris is a veteran who won’t get rattled. Ottawa is a team that still hasn’t reached .500 but they have a knack of winning at the right time. Not on Sunday. Saskatchewan by three.

Edmonton’s six game losing streak began and ended with losses to Winnipeg, the last one Sept. 30. Since then the Eskimos have won five straight and enter the post-season as the hottest and best team in the league. They will have their mitts and mukluks full in Winnipeg.

This should be one of those throw-back games, knee scraping, eye-poking, face frozen, smash mouth prairie football at its finest. If so Winnipeg has a chance. With quarterback Mike Reilly and receivers Brandon Zylstra, Derel Walker, Adarius Bowman, and Vidal Hazelton, Edmonton has a spectacular aerial attack The Eskimos led the league in total offence. But the Bombers scored the most points. Their quarterback Matt Nichols had a better percentage completion mark than Reilly and a superior TD pass to interception ratio. His efficiency rating was higher. Winnipeg ranked 3rd in red zone production, Edmonton 8th.

Blue Bomber receivers Darvin Adams, Weston Dressler and Clarence Denmark are excellent. Their leading receiver with a Canadian record 105 receptions is rushing champion Andrew Harris. He is the key to victory. If he picks up around 150 total yards and eats precious time off the clock in the process, Winnipeg will win. Of course, all this hinges on Matt Nichols playing. If he’s out, the Bombers have no chance.

Only Hamilton was poorer against the pass than the Bombers. But Winnipeg had the most interceptions. The Blue gave up fewer points than Edmonton and scored more. Both teams do a good job protecting their quarterback. The teams rank eighth and ninth in field-goal percentage.

Both teams are resilient and tough. Both are at their best in the second and fourth quarters. Winnipeg is the least penalized team in the league, Edmonton had the second most infractions.

As is often the case, the team that makes the fewest mistakes will win. Reilly will be the difference. Edmonton by seven.