The moment of truth (or one of 3 possible moments of truth) has arrived as the Riders take on the Lions in a foggy, cold and possibly snowy Regina this afternoon. Strange to think this could be the last game of the year. But everything is go, and apparently it's pretty strange that athletes and officials have to deal with weather delays like the rest of us mortals.
Keys to the game:
Before we even get to offence and defence the key to the game is that this team needs to play hard like it did last week. They need to play like they care. And if you don't care about being in the playoffs, it's time to go home. Then there's the weather. You'd think it'd be a factor in Saskatchewan's favour. You'd think.
Offence
It would sure be nice if the offence could get going early, and keep going in the second half, not just scoring but moving the ball and sustaining longs drives. Of course, putting up 40 points would be nice. Considering the weather the running game should have an added importance so it's critical that the O-line and Wes Cates get rolling. I should also include Durant here as well. He's got to get out and run once in a while. Speaking of Durant, he needs to have a solid game and limit the turnovers. Stay away from Ryan Phillips. React appropriately to the blitz. No Hugh Charles today which is really a missed opportunity to change things up.
Defence
The big question mark here as the entire starting linebacking corps is out with injury - that means no Barrin Simpson, Sean Lucas or Daniel Francis. How well Jerell Freeman, Byron Bullock and Tad Kornegay play will go a long way in determining how the Riders fare. Brent Hawkins is back in, and he needs to have an impact. Looking at the Lions' offence, the Riders need to get at and rattle rookie QB Lulay, early and often. Or conversely, sit back and blanket everybody and make him make throws. If either can be done, all the defence needs to do is shut down Jamal Robertson, both in the run game, and those check-down passes in a wide-open flat. Here's an idea. When Robertson comes out of the backfield, don't play 10 yards off of him, because more than likely they're going to throw to him. But I've never coached so what do I know? Honest to God, if the Riders lose this game and I'm Brendan Taman, I'm on the phone to Richie Hall the minute the game is over. The Riders are last or 2nd last in 9 of the 20 major defensive categories.
Special Teams
Will the team's Achilles heel be their undoing and end their season? Your guess is as good as mine. Earlier this week Yonus Davis talked about the Riders' Special Teams and said they don't even compete. Really Yonus? Really? We knew that back in Week 1 and the Tim Maypray return TD. Needless to say B.C. has a major advantage when it come to special teams both in the return and kicking game. It should say a lot about a team's season when your kicker is your team's MVP. The Riders' shared kicking game is a glaring weakness since we don't even know if Kean is capable of kicking past the 25 yard-line, while Johnson is a punter and has done little place-kicking. Three points here or there could be huge in the end.
Coaching
Their job is to stop a rookie quarterback. If they do, the team wins. If they can't, there will be coaching changes. Well, there may be anyway.
The game starts at 3:30 SK time and is on TSN. You can also listen live at 620ckrm.com
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