Scribe likes Riders’ chances, but thinks Lions will lose in Hamilton
The Canadian Press
Turnovers will be a crucial key to victory in the CFL West Division semifinal.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will entertain the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in that game Sunday afternoon. During the regular season, the two teams sported identical 10-0 records when they won the turnover battle.
Converting off turnovers was a big part of Winnipeg’s success as the Blue Bombers (10-8) scored a CFL-high 151 points in that category. Saskatchewan (12-6) won the season series 2-1 but the Bombers intercepted starter Zach Collaros twice in their lone win, a 31-0 decision at Investors Group Field on Oct. 13. The Riders, meanwhile, won only two games this year while losing the turnover battle.
By comparison, Winnipeg never won a game in which it lost the turnover battle. Both teams sport solid defences, but Saskatchewan defensive ends Charleston Hughes (CFL-high 15 sacks) and Willie Jefferson (10 sacks) were especially hard on opposing quarterbacks.
What’s more, Jefferson added two interceptions — returning one for a touchdown against Winnipeg — two forced fumbles and scored two TDs overall.
The Bombers’ offensive line, anchored by stalwart tackle Stanley Bryant, surrendered 36 sacks, tied for third-lowest overall.
Bombers starting quarterback Matt Nichols completed 34-of-64 passes (53.1 per cent) for 486 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions in the three games versus Saskatchewan.
But over his final five regular-season starts — all wins — Nichols threw seven TD passes against just one interception.
Winnipeg also boasts the CFL rushing leader in Andrew Harris (1,390 yards, 5.8yard average, eight TDs). It was Harris’s fourth 1,000-yard campaign and his second straight.
The Bombers’ defence is anchored by linebacker Adam Bighill, who had eight tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble in the shutout win over Saskatchewan.
Quarterback Zach Collaros is expected to play for Saskatchewan, but threw for only 2,999 yards in 14 starts this season, his first in Regina.
This marks the first time Saskatchewan has hosted a playoff game since 2013 when it won the Grey Cup. It also is the first postseason contest at new Mosaic Stadium.
Home field should be a big advantage for Saskatchewan, which was 6-3 at Mosaic Field before its rabid fans. Winnipeg was 4-5-0 on the road.
Prediction: Saskatchewan.
B.C. Lions at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Sunday afternoon)
At Hamilton, the Tiger-Cats (8-10) head into the East semifinal riding a three-game losing streak. Two of those defeats were to Ottawa, which cemented first in the East Division and home field for the conference final on Nov. 18 at TD Place.
Hamilton and B.C. (9-9) split the regularseason series 1-1, each team winning at home. The Lions captured a 35-32 victory at B.C. Place on Sept. 22, but the Ticats won the rematch, 40-10 at Tim Hortons Field the following week.
In that contest, Brandon Banks hauled in two TDs from Jeremiah Masoli for Hamilton. Trouble is, Banks suffered a season-ending broken clavicle in the club’s 35-31 loss to Ottawa on Oct. 19.
The loss of Banks is a serious blow, considering the 5-foot-7, 157-pound dynamo had 94 catches for 1,423 yards and 11 TDs. And the Ticats are 0-3 since Banks was injured.
B.C. makes the trek to the East as the crossover team, meaning it will have to go the long way to give head coach Wally Buono a championship in his final season on the Lions’ sideline.
Unfortunately, history won’t be on the club’s side as no crossover team has ever reached the Grey Cup, let alone won it.
Buono has 18 career playoff victories — second only to Frank Clair (22). He’ll make his 23rd playoff appearance in 25 years of coaching.
The Lions’ defence has been a big part of the club’s success this season, and it could be bolstered by the return of linebacker Solomon Elimimian. He’s been sidelined with a wrist injury since the fifth week of the season but has taken the majority of reps this week in practice.
But life on the road this season hasn’t been kind to the Lions, who were just 2-7 away from B.C. Place. Then again, Hamilton didn’t exactly light it up at home (4-5-0).
Prediction: Hamilton.