Roughriders need to contain QB in the pocket
Stopping the running game a key for Green and White against Bombers
The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers are headed in different directions going into Saturday’s game at Mosaic Stadium.
Having both clinched CFL playoff berths, they are now jockeying for post-season positions.
The Riders (9-4) are on a twogame winning streak, consisting of wins over the Montreal Alouettes (27-25) and Toronto Argonauts (41-16).
The Blue Bombers (9-5) are on a two-game losing skid, having fallen to the Alouettes (38-37) and Hamilton Tiger-cats (33-13).
The Riders may be looking to add to Winnipeg ’s blues at Mosaic Stadium, where the Green and White has a 6-1 record this season.
Here are five things that the Riders need to do to beat the Blue Bombers and win the final game of their three-game season series:
1.
CONTAIN STREVELER
With No. 1 quarterback Matt Nichols (shoulder) out for the season, the Blue Bombers are counting on Chris Streveler. A run-first quarterback, he has a 2-3 record in five starts since Nichols was injured.
In the two games against the Riders, Streveler has 22 carries for 135 yards and three touchdowns, compared to 347 aerial yards and three touchdowns.
The Riders need to force Streveler to remain in the pocket and rely on his inconsistent throwing arm. That means being patient and keeping him from being a force along the ground.
2.
A SPRINKLE OF FAJARDO
The Roughriders’ Cody Fajardo is third in the CFL in passing yards (3,140). He also has 13 touchdown passes against five interceptions in his first full season as a starter.
Fajardo and running back William Powell are tied for third in the CFL in rushing touchdowns, with 10 each.
In the lopsided win over Toronto, offensive co-ordinator Stephen Mcadoo did a solid job of mixing the run and pass with Fajardo.
That’s when Fajardo is at his best. More of that should help the Riders get by the Blue Bombers.
3.
WHERE’S ANDREW?
The Riders will face Andrew Harris, the league’s rushing leader (with 1,021 yards) for the first time this season. He missed the previous two meetings with Saskatchewan while serving a two-game suspension for testing positive for an anabolic steroid.
Harris has scored only three rushing touchdowns this season, a surprisingly low total in light of his talents and his importance to the Bombers’ attack. However, Winnipeg ’s offence runs through Harris, so being aware of his presence on the field is paramount.
Missed tackles were an issue in the Banjo Bowl blowout and the Roughriders will have to pick up on that with Harris on the field.
4.
POUND POWELL
Powell (who has 160 carries and 749 yards) is on pace to surpass 1,000 rushing yards for the third consecutive year.
He has been underutilized against the Blue Bombers, against whom the Riders need to establish the run to set up the pass.
Powell had eight carries for 59 yards in the Labour Day Classic, but picked up most of that yardage in the Riders’ drive for a game-winning field goal. He had just four carries for one yard in the Banjo Bowl blowout.
A commitment to Powell will get the offence into the game and take some of the pressure off Fajardo because the Blue Bombers will have to respect the run, which will be of the utmost importance if, as forecast, the game is played in windy conditions.
It’s fundamental football and, by adhering to that, the Riders should be able to avenge their loss in the Banjo Bowl.
5.
WELCOME BACK JORDAN Receiver Jordan Williams-lambert makes his 2019 debut with the Roughriders, whom he rejoined Sept. 10 after being released by the NFL’S Chicago Bears.
Williams-lambert (six-footthree, 228 pounds) is a big target who fits in nicely with Riders’ other receivers. He can use his big body to high-point the ball against smaller defenders.
In 2018, Williams-lambert was the West Division’s nominee for the most-outstanding-rookie award after catching a team-high 62 passes for 764 yards and four touchdowns. The Riders gave him extra time to relearn the playbook and he has looked smooth running routes in practice.
Saskatchewan’s receiving corps was operating nicely without Williams-lambert, who sat out the Roughriders’ first two games following his return.
Regardless, the sooner Fajardo gets Williams-lambert into the flow of the game, the better it will be for the Riders.