Riders 28 – Elks 24
You’ll forgive me if I’m still in disbelief. Decades of cheering for the Riders tends to breed a healthy level of pessimism. Generally being a Rider fans is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead. Not only did the situation we currently find ourselves in (heading back to the playoffs) require us not squandering an opportunity, it also required the Command Centre getting things right AND acting to the benefit of the Riders. I’m not going to say the odds on all these things happening simultaneously were low but the CFL wouldn't suspend a player for betting on that because its so unlikely its not technically gambling, just a donation.
Now don’t get me wrong. We tried hard to squander this opportunity. Harris threw some very ill-advised passes. Mace still seems oblivious to the basics of clock management. Pass coverage was as porous as ever. But despite those issues we have found our way back to being a team that finds ways to win… as opposed to that whole 2 month period where we found ways to lose.
Credit to the defense. They are far from perfect but they stepped up and did their job. After the embarrassment of the last match-up you could tell run stopping was priority #1 and they delivered allowing just 30 total yards. Yes the biproduct of that was a less impactful pass rush (which further leaves our questionable pass coverage out to dry) but it was the right strategy. Edmonton wins when they rush well. Take that away and they struggle. We did that and it worked. The reason it worked is because we forced turnovers. Milligan added to his MOP resume. Auclair was in the right place at the right time. Even Henderson made a play at a key point with a nice punch out. CJ Reavis was a welcome addition back.
Offensively it was like a 3am booty call. Maybe not the prettiest thing but it got the job done. O-line visibly struggled. Harris was uncharacteristically careless with his passes. But after a season of watching receivers drop perfectly thrown balls on the turf we are finally seeing receivers step up and make plays for their QB. Big time receptions from Baker, Emilus and Johnson. Busby also keeps quietly doing what’s asked of him. I don’t think Trevor Harris is getting the recognition he deserves. In 6 of his 10 starts he has thrown for over 300 yards. Multiple passing TDs in 7 of his starts. 3rd in the CFL in completion % among starters. Only 1 team has scored more points than us. This with a patchwork O-line and an ever-changing cast of receivers. It might not always be pretty but Harris has been the leader this team needs on and off the field.
There is a lot more I could rant and rage on in that game but it really doesn’t matter, we found a way to win and punched our ticket back to the elusive post season. We also set up a monster game on Saturday. Win and we host a home playoff game. Yes somehow in a matter of couple weeks we have gone from “will be ever win again” to “chance at a home playoff game” a true testament to how bad the West division is this year.
But I will once again be reverting to my pessimism. It all seems to good to be true. If we just win the next game then our remaining schedule is: bye, meaningless game against what’s left of the Stamps and then home playoff game. So I’ve convinced myself we’ll find a way to screw this up. The good news is I had that same feeling heading into the Edmonton game so… you’re welcome I guess
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