Riders vs. Bombers: Friday Night Football

Friday the 2-4 Bombers are in town for a showdown with the obsidian-clad 4-1 Riders. Two weeks ago this match-up was looking very different. Bombers had so few wins they were at risk of being legally required to no longer advertise themselves as WINnipeg. The Riders were undefeated and their injured list contained far fewer important names. Suddenly we are banged up and coming off our first loss and the Bombers are on a 2 game win streak. While I wholeheartedly disagree with these 2 teams playing before Labour Day, this should be an intense battle between heated rivals under the Friday night lights. 

Completely random thought but do you think if obsidian night was done in the Chris Jones era he would have caved and wore it because it’s close enough to black? Who am I kidding, he would have made them create an all black button-up long sleeve with the smallest logo imaginable... and sunglasses strapped to his head despite it being a night game.

We all expected the Bombers to stop losing at some point. I enjoyed the hell out of their winless start but it was never going to last. There were even signs of their resurgence before they started winning. Their last 3 loses were by a combined 9 points. Turns out that losing all your top offensive players to injury will impact performance. Go figure? The Bombers may not be the dominant force they have been over the past 4 seasons but they are still a good football team. 

I actually don’t mind coming into this one as the underdog. Had they still been losing it would have been easy to get overconfident. I have confidence that Mace will have them ready to play and feeding off that underdog status as well as the crowd.

Offensively I can’t say I’m enamoured about facing Willy Jefferson with a back-up QB and a tackle making his first pro start. Betting on a Jefferson pick is probably a good idea. The thing about the Bombers D is that they are stingy against the pass but the worst in the CFL at stopping the run. So let's not overthink this. Make it easy on Patterson and Brammer by feeding Ouelette. For all his mistakes Patterson has actually been very good about protecting the football. We have the least giveaways. We do allow a lot of sacks… and losing Hardrick won’t help that. Surprisingly the Bombers have the 2^nd least sacks. In addition to a focus on the run, I would like to see us use that quick passing attack we went to in BC after the first 2 drives failed. Emilus, Baker and Bane can make things happen with the ball in their hands. Let them do the heavy lifting. Been a while since Bane had a big game, seems like a good time to feed him. I would be in favour of someone slapping Patterson before the game or whatever it takes to get his head on right and avoid his game starting craptitude (it’s a word now, feel free to use it). 

Defensively the key matchup is the leading rusher in the CFL in Olivera vs. the #1 run D in the CFL. This is the match-up that gives me some confidence. I am used to watching Olivera run all over us but this is the best equipped the Riders have been to shut him down. Without the run it will force Collaros to do the heavy lifting. Lots of people talking about how Collaros is “back” after last game… but he still threw 2 picks. He leads the league in that category. I am betting on 2 more picks added on Friday. D-line needs to be disruptive. Either hit him or make him hurry. I am also betting on a Demski TD. Guy always seems to have monster games against us. The Bombers have the least point but half their point have come in the last 2 games (did I mention who they really really sucked to start the season). Shut down Olivera, disruptive front 4 and don’t give up the big plays, those are the keys. And for the love of god when Streveler comes in can Williams actually play man and not get caught peeking. Steveler has 2 plays run and huck it deep. 

Betting lines have us as the underdogs and I agree. I think we have a very good chance but the Bombers aren’t going to just lie down and let us take it. Historically new Mosaic has been very kind to the Bombers… though I feel ever since Toronto blocked that kick here in the Grey Cup, some good mojo has been restored. This season, the Bombers are winless on the road and the Riders have yet to lose at home. Should be the biggest crowd of the season. Players are pumped for the new jerseys. Atmosphere should be electric and I expect the team to feed off it. 

I expect a patented Shae Patterson crap start but I expect it to be balanced by a patented Corey Mace strong 4^th quarter comeback. 

Riders by an Ouelette TD. 

Get loud!