Suckskatchewan @ Champs PGT

[Bomber_fanaddict]

1 hour ago, Bigblue204 said:

I've always wondered how they enforce those life long bans, especially when they don't check ID to get in to the stadium. Not in a way that would identify anyone who has been banned anyway.

In the old stadium there was a guy in our section who was always causing fights and disruptions to a point that he was banned from attending anymore games. Literally the next home game he was at as he was bragging about getting tickets from a friend. This was back in the days of hard copy tickets so who knows how they do it now. But it never worked back then. 

[TrueBlue4ever]

So any thoughts on keys to the game? Here are mine:

Offence:

Winnipeg - control the clock. Bombers were second best in time of possession this year but surprisingly second worst in two and outs. Of all the things the LaPo offensive model was or wasn’t, it was predicated on ball control / grind out the clock / limit the turnovers style. Keeping the offence on the field keeps the defence fresh and wears down the other team, has been the recipe for success all year. So to control the clock getting everyone involved early (especially the versatile  Demski) and spreading things around, with a healthy dose of run to keep drives going, puts the Bombers in the driver’s seat. 

Sakatchewan - establish a ground game. Despite a good receiving corps with some big play weapons, the Riders do not win this game on the strength of Fajardo’s arm. Powell needs to dominate on the ground as he has in the past against the Blue and Gold (but did not this year) and Fajardo needs to not be contained in the pocket and make first downs by scrambling for them to compete. Where Collaros extends passing plays with his scrambling, Cody turns scrambles into running first downs. 

Defence:

Winnipeg - avoid the big play strike. The Bomber defence is very methodical and just plain wears teams down over the course of the game. Early in the year it was called “bend don’t break” and by year’s end was “4th quarter lockdown” but either way teams rarely completed long time consuming drives that finished in TDs, so a slower pace works to Winnipeg’s advantage. So keeping a deep pass or explosion play to a minimum again means they are doing well, and by game’s end they will have worn down the other offence. Pressure by the d-line is key to disrupting the time needed for big plays to develop and here the Bombers have a huge edge on the lines here. They allowed only 16 sacks (#1 by a good margin) while the Riders gave up 40 (#8). Riders had the edge in making sacks (47 to 39, numbers 2 and 3 in the league) but overall the line advantage leans heavily to the Bombers. 

Saskatchewan - force turnovers. Winning the turnover battle is a given for most football wins, but  especially so here. Bombers led the league in turnover ratio and turnovers forced, as well as points off of turnovers. They also lead in fewest turnovers given up and fewest points given up off turnovers. So a tall order here. Fajardo is going to put the ball in bad spots at times (like those 50/50 chucks he puts up) and as we saw last week he is a good bet for a pick or two (or four). Zach Collaros had a league high 20 TDs and a league low 6 INTs, so big pressure on the ball hawking Rider secondary (who were tied for the league lead but only one better than Winnipeg)  to make the big play interception to change momentum, or at least keep pace with the turnovers the Bombers are likely to get. 

Special teams:

Winnipeg - keep it even. When they talk about winning two of the three phases of the game to win the game itself, this is the one area where the Riders have the edge. It is funny that outside of the final game against Calgary, our special teams were either never the deciding factor because we won by more than enough, or our kickers in fact came through as needed. But if the Bombers can at least come out of the special teams battle in a draw, then that is a victory in itself. Sask can bust one on a return (as we saw last week), have more faith in their field goal kicker, and as we saw in the 2019 West Final and again last week, are not afraid to pull out the trick play at an opportune time. Limit the returns, give them a long field to have to march down, and it is advantage Bombers. And we have yet to see the wily return specialist coach in O’Shea come out. Maybe a surprise of our own this week?

Saskatchewan - limit them to 3’s. In past years forcing field goals was not a recipe for success against Winnipeg, because our defence could keep the score low too and Medlock would just put up 6 or 7 FGs to give us the margin of victory. But we all know the struggles to split the uprights this season. So Sask will need to keep us out of the end zone and then hope the Achilles Heel reveals itself when we line up for the trey. 

Other thoughts?

[HardCoreBlue]

7 minutes ago, JCon said:

This is one of the things I fear too: The one thing I fear if I’m the Bombers is if the Roughriders can punch them in the mouth early after an emotional overtime thrill ride against the Stampeders. 

Another, is that the game is messy and close at the end, trusting Castillo to make one when we need it. Or, relying on special teams at all. 

Untimely turnovers is my last concern. 

 

I'm not really that concerned though. 

If it does come down to this, I hope the roles are reversed where Brett Lauther with his swagger pooches his game winning field wide right (or more appropriately doink off the upright dead ball) while we walk off and celebrate tapping our wrists.

[TrueBlue4ever]

1 minute ago, HardCoreBlue said:

If it does come down to this, I hope the roles are reversed where Brett Lauther with his swagger pooches his game winning field wide right (or more appropriately doink off the upright dead ball) while we walk off and celebrate tapping our wrists.

I want to yell “Lauther, time’s up!” when he walks off the field after we win the game by 20. 

[JCon]

2 minutes ago, TrueBlue4ever said:

So any thoughts on keys to the game? Here are mine:

Offence:

Winnipeg - control the clock. Yup, grind them down and put up 7s. 

Saskatchewan - establish a ground game. They have no RB running game. Cody needs to run to keep the Bombers off balance. But, Powell was effective catching in the WSF, so he's dangerous. 

Defence:

Winnipeg - avoid the big play strike. Big plays don't concern me. It's the small, chain-moving drives that do. They'll get big plays because Duke can make them. 

Saskatchewan - force turnovers. Yup, pressure and luck. Strip the ball from Demski, Harris, Adams or Lawler. That will be their game plan. 

Special teams:

Winnipeg - keep it even. Protect the ball. That's all you can do and hope to not rely on the kicking game. 

Saskatchewan - limit them to 3’s. Flip the field and give Cody a chance to score TDs. No turnovers or you're dead. 

Other thoughts?

 

[HardCoreBlue]

1 minute ago, TrueBlue4ever said:

I want to yell “Lauther, time’s up!” when he walks off the field after we win the game by 20. 

That will do as well. Either or not fussy just score more points then them. 

[Geebrr]

The fans won't let an early punch stop the fun.

It will be a party. 

27 minutes ago, Bomber_fanaddict said:

In the old stadium there was a guy in our section who was always causing fights and disruptions to a point that he was banned from attending anymore games. Literally the next home game he was at as he was bragging about getting tickets from a friend. This was back in the days of hard copy tickets so who knows how they do it now. But it never worked back then. 

Imagine being such a loser at life that you brag about being banned at a stadium.

 

[Dodge and Burn]

9 hours ago, White Out said:

I love the energy, but can we not become the Rider fans of the 2000s? 

Ouch. 

Ouch. 

Being compared to them....I'm turning in my phone. 😉

[White Out]

Looks like the weather should be around -6 with a stiff wind, maybe snow.

 

crazy how accurate that long range forecast was

[rebusrankin]

I'm actually not worried about an early punch from the Riders. Look at game 1, where Hamilton scored early on an impressive drive and we shut the door the rest of the way.

[17to85]

1 hour ago, Noeller said:

Your favourite and mine, Jamie Nye.......

https://www.cfl.ca/2021/12/02/weekly-predictor-betting-tiger-cats/

Saskatchewan at Winnipeg
Sunday, 4:00 p.m. ET

What kind of team will we see come out as they’ve lost two-straight coming into the playoffs? Although, in fairness to the Bombers, they rested a few key contributors along the way.

I wanted to find recent examples of teams this dominate and so I went back to the 2014 Calgary Stampeders, who clinched first on October 18th and played five weeks later in the Western Final. They absolutely CRUSHED Edmonton in that game.

The one thing I fear if I’m the Bombers is if the Roughriders can punch them in the mouth early after an emotional overtime thrill ride against the Stampeders. The last half of that football game was the Cody Fajardo show as he ran and threw his way into the Western Final, leading the Roughriders back on a key fourth quarter drive to take the lead before Calgary tied it up.

I’d like to note Fajardo also threw a game-winning pass in overtime that if Kian Schaffer-Baker holds on to becomes a monster moment in both guy’s careers.

Now, you also have a Riders defence that have been absolutely lights out in the second half of the season, with pass rushers that are right up there with Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat. In fact, A.C. Leonard and Jonathan Woodard had more sacks than the Bombers All-Star trio.

Those All-Star nods did make the Riders feel disrespected so if they want to prove they deserved the All-Stars themselves, they better outperform the Bombers duo.

Now, here’s the difference in the game: offensive line and defensive line on both sides. There is no question the Bombers’ offensive line is better than Saskatchewan’s, while it may be a draw on the defensive side of the ball.

The Riders didn’t allow a sack last week after Cody Fajardo took the most sacks in the regular season and if the Riders can keep Cody clean again this week, I’m guessing they’re off to Hamilton. I loved how committed and successful they were with William Powell on the ground early against Calgary to slow down the Bombers but now Winnipeg will see it coming.

I’m picking the Riders to go up early, but not by enough to hold off the Bombers in the second half.

PICK: WINNIPEG

Counterpoint: Zach collaros has only one loss as a Bomber. And also the riders D is nowhere near the Bombers and faj and his dollops Jesus won't happen against a team that doesn't give the ball away like blm does against the riders. 

 

In summary, **** the riders and their fan base, the Bombers are going to expose these pretenders again, just like they did in the regular season when everyone was hanging off of the riders nuts.

[MOBomberFan]

Just now, 17to85 said:

In summary, **** the riders and their fan base

Can I use this as my new email signature?

[kelownabomberfan]

7 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

In summary, **** the riders and their fan base, 

[Tracker]

I think we should not get excited if the Riders are still in the game at the end of the first quarter. The record of our team this year and 2019 is that they get stronger as the game goes on.  It will probably take a few plays to figure out the soft spots in the Rider defence and offensive blocking schemes- then its open season. I do not wish ill for anyone, but if Fajardo gets laid out a couple of times, I will live with that.

[Bigblue204]

Jamie Nye wrote an entire article about how good the riders are. But picked the Bombers. Don't think we don't know your putting the jinx on them Jamie!! YOU RIDER SHILL!!

[captaincanuck12]

Everything in my brain tells me that the Bombers go on to defend the cup.  We crushed them in the regular season series.  

However my heart is nervous for a couple reasons:

1. Lack of meaningful games for the past month

2. Lots of rest which may lead to rust 

3. Even though they looked awful, the Riders winning last week does give them a lift.

4. It's difficult to beat a team 3 times.

5. There isn't a team I loathe more than the Riders and absolutely hate losing to them.

One thing that I have going for me is that my daughter is coming to the game , and she is 7-0 when watching them live.  And the the last Rider game she went to was in 2018 when we annihilated them 31-0.

I'm going to be a nervous wreck on Sunday.  And will not be settled until the final whistle or we're up 50-10 going into the 4th. 

[BigBlueFanatic]

Definitely noticed how the majority of the press and dramatics are about the Riders.  It’s going to make the tears and handwringing that much better.

Bombers are both Champions and consummate pros.  They don’t need the press and wannabe journalists/bloggers rationalizing ad nauseam as to why they’re worthy.

Bombers only focus is to go out and execute.  Funny how only Tait and the Bombers themselves acknowledge this… must make for bad click bait 🤷🏻‍♂️

[Wideleft]

Fajardo can't throw mid to long range passes in perfect weather, so the chances of a big play are very slim in -10 windchill and snow - unless a db slips and falls and an unintended receiver catches it.

It's going to be dink and dunk and scrambling from the Riders all game and I think that can only be successful for a short while because the Bombers get to the ball so quickly.  Even our inside guys are fast enough to catch Jesus Sprinkles - nevermind the ends.

The only way the Bombers lose is if they get a bad case of fumbleitis.

[Bomber_fanaddict]

2 minutes ago, captaincanuck12 said:

Everything in my brain tells me that the Bombers go on to defend the cup.  We crushed them in the regular season series.  

However my heart is nervous for a couple reasons:

1. Lack of meaningful games for the past month

2. Lots of rest which may lead to rust 

3. Even though they looked awful, the Riders winning last week does give them a lift.

4. It's difficult to beat a team 3 times.

5. There isn't a team I loathe more than the Riders and absolutely hate losing to them.

One thing that I have going for me is that my daughter is coming to the game , and she is 7-0 when watching them live.  And the the last Rider game she went to was in 2018 when we annihilated them 31-0.

I'm going to be a nervous wreck on Sunday.  And will not be settled until the final whistle or we're up 50-10 going into the 4th. 

My son is also going to the game and has never seen them lose. Not sure how many games he has attended but I figure about 10 to 12. So let’s go with 10-0 watching them live  

[JCon]

How many points do the Riders/Bombers need to score to win the game? 

 

I think the Riders will need at least 30 to win. Bombers can get away with 20, I think. 

1 minute ago, BigBlueFanatic said:

Definitely noticed how the majority of the press and dramatics are about the Riders.  It’s going to make the tears and handwringing that much better.

Bombers are both Champions and consummate pros.  They don’t need the press and wannabe journalists/bloggers rationalizing ad nauseam as to why they’re worthy.

Bombers only focus is to go out and execute.  Funny how only Tait and the Bombers themselves acknowledge this… must make for bad click bait 🤷🏻‍♂️

The press is gushing over the one (and only) drive Cody did well on last game in OT, which, apparently, gives them a good chance on Sunday. If Parades makes one more field goal, Cody is crying after the game blaming his receivers. 

[Wideleft]

2 minutes ago, JCon said:

How many points do the Riders/Bombers need to score to win the game? 

 

I think the Riders will need at least 30 to win. Bombers can get away with 20, I think. 

Actually, that question is key and makes me much more confident in a Bomber win.

The Riders won't get more than 11 points.  They really are over-rated crapola.

Edited December 2, 2021 by Wideleft

[JCon]

Just now, Wideleft said:

The Riders won't get more than 11 points.  They really are over-rated crapola.

I'm predicting a final score of....

Bombers 37 - Riders 18. 

[Geebrr]

The Riders won a bunch of games they had no business winning 

[Wideleft]

1 minute ago, JCon said:

I'm predicting a final score of....

Bombers 37 - Riders 18. 

I don't think the weather will be conducive to that kind of score unless there are a lot of turnovers while teams are pinned deep.

I'm thinking more like 21-8 Bombers.

[Tracker]