The real test to see if the Saskatchewan Roughriders have learned anything over the last three weeks won't come until the fourth quarter, a period of time which has seen the Riders suffer meltdowns in three consecutive games now, a horror show of fifteen minutes that can turn a healthy lead into a nail biter of a loss in the blink of an eye.
For the British Columbia Lions the quickest way to make the fourth quarter moot would be to load up on the points in the first three, a situation that will leave the Riders heading back to a drawing board to cook up a new approach.
Much has been made of the spectacular ways that the Riders have managed to go from the ranks of the undefeated to a team on a skid, for the most part it's defensive shortcomings that pop up in glaring fashion at most inopportune times.
The Lions are heading into Sunday's game on a streak of their own, a more positive direction with wins in their last two games, the most recent one a defensive victory over the Argos, where the Lions dominated the Argo's QB Ricky Ray to the point of frustration, leaving Ray to ponder the worst performance since he joined the Double Blue while dodging oncoming Lion rushers.
The last game for the Lions was not an offensive masterpiece, Travis Lulay who was on fire a few weeks ago, struggled almost as much as Ray against the Argos defence, getting back on track will be of key importance to the Lions QB, the Riders defensive woes may be just what he needs to find his groove again.
One advantage for the Riders may be that the Lions will be without the services of Khalif Mitchell, an arbitrator upheld the punishment of CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon, thus Mitchell will be unavailable to the Lions for two games.
I'ts a glimmer of hope for the Riders offensive line that is charged with keeping Darian Durant healthy and moving forward, considering the recent troubles scoring points may be the best insurance against the dreaded fourth quarter collapses.
To that end the Riders will take to the field at BC Place and look to cast aside a lingering ghost of late.
Game Time 4 PM PT, 7 ET BC Place Stadium TSN
Pre Game
CFL Game Preview
Globe and Mail-- Wally Buono shuns the forefront
National Post-- Corey Chamblin low-key as his Roughriders look for an elusive win
Regina Leader Post-- Riders' secondary rolls on without Graham
Vancouver Province-- Lions aim to avoid flagfest repeat against Riders
Vancouver Sun-- Maurice Evans 'just excited to play'
Team Backgrounders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
British Columbia Lions
No comments:
Post a Comment