Game Thread: Winnipeg at Saskatchewan Sunday Sept 3rd

[jerrym]

This should be a Bomber win but there have been quite a few upsets in the CFL this year and the Riders are always tough at home.

[AngeloV]

Bombers should continue their recent dominance over the Green team. I do like what I've seen of Dolegala, but I think the Bombers are just too good for them..

[ArgoRavi]

Bombers should continue their recent dominance over the Green team. I do like what I've seen of Dolegala, but I think the Bombers are just too good for them..

I have picked Winnipeg in this one also. It should be a good game but the Bombers are simply too much for the Riders.

[Mocha]

I'm interested to see more of the Rider's receiver corps now that they're getting back to health, but I still think the Bombers take it.

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WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS VS. SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Last week was a strange one for the Bombers and QB Zach Collaros. They blew out the Montreal Alouettes 47-17, but Collaros threw two pick-sixes and finished with a 52.3 overall grade on the game, his worst of the season by far. If Collaros can play that poorly and the Bombers still win by 30 points, that has to scare the Roughriders, who are coming off their bye week but will look to build off a big win over the BC Lions in Week 11. They’ll hope to get a good game out of QB Jake Dolegala, who was named the starter for this game. Dolegala’s raw numbers looked good in his Week 11 start, as he had a couple of big-time throws, but he also produced three turnover-worthy plays and finished with an exactly average passing grade of 60.0. If he can clean up the not-so-good throws, he has the tools to be a good quarterback and help get the Roughriders’ season back on track.

MATCHUP TO WATCH:
WR NIC DEMSKI, WINNIPEG VS. HB DEONTAI WILLIAMS, SASKATCHEWAN

While Dalton Schoen and Kenny Lawler get a lot of the attention for the Bombers, Demski should be getting just as much of it. He’s currently on pace for his first 1,000-yard season, and his 74.7 overall grade ranks third among all CFL receivers with at least 150 snaps. Winnipeg QBs have a 142.3 passer rating this season when targeting Demski, second highest in the league. He’ll see a lot of Williams this week, who isn’t having quite the same level of success this season. Williams has given up 17 catches for 221 yards and a touchdown this season and his 68.6 coverage grade ranks in the middle of the pack for halfbacks. Nonetheless, he does have an interception and five pass breakups. If Williams can at least slow Demski down, that could be huge for the Roughriders’ chances in this game.

PLAYER TO WATCH:
RB BRADY OLIVEIRA, WINNIPEG

No team has fed the ball to their running back like the Bombers have with Oliveira. The Canadian sensation currently leads the league with 902 rushing yards on 158 attempts. Second place is 638 yards and 131 attempts. However, it’s not just volume, as Oliveira is one of the highest-graded RBs in the league at 89.3. He has only been stopped for no gain or less on 12 of his 158 attempts, the lowest percentage in the league. Winnipeg is able to get a lead with its elite passing attack and then coast by just feeding the ball to Oliveira, knowing that he’ll churn out positive yards almost every time and allow them to have an easy path to victory. If Saskatchewan can bottle him up, it might stand a chance.

[Mocha]

Great atmosphere at Mosaic.

Both teams having trouble getting the offense going, though Oliveira has had some impressive runs.

[jerrym]

Dolegala has a lot to learn as QB, but he has slingshot of an arm that makes him a threat throughout the game, something that Mason Fine never showed.

[jerrym]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Bombers pull this one although they are trailing at the half 13-7, but the Riders are making dogfight out of it and could very well win.

[Mocha]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Bombers pull this one although they are trailing at the half 10-7, but the Riders are making dogfight out of it and could very well win.

The Riders secondary are playing tough. Everyone really hitting hard.

[Mocha]

Well, that should be a suspension. Why would he head butt Collaros there?!

[argolio]

Well, that should be a suspension. Why would he head butt Collaros there?!

Never seen anything close to that from him before so I'll say emotions got the better of him. Now he needs to make sure it's an isolated incident.

[kellynjk]

Never seen anything close to that from him before so I'll say emotions got the better of him. Now he needs to make sure it's an isolated incident.

Just announced that the CFL has suspended Pete Robertson for a game for his head butt against Collaros. Rightfully so, but in future a play like that should get the player thrown out of the game as well.

[OV Argo]

Just announced that the CFL has suspended Pete Robertson for a game for his head butt against Collaros. Rightfully so, but in future a play like that should get the player thrown out of the game as well.

Gee, I wonder if any Rider fans will defend that brutal head-butt as just a harmless love tap, and say Collaros was play-acting ?

[ArgoRavi]

Gee, I wonder if any Rider fans will defend that brutal head-butt as just a harmless love tap, and say Collaros was play-acting ?

Some Riders fans and a couple of Saskatchewan media members have been doing just that.

[jerrym]

Pete Robertson just had the most bone-headed and costly penalty of the year by any team so far and it could well be the #1 of the year, by hitting Collaros well after the the Riders had stopped Winnipeg on second and goal, giving the Bombers a fist down and ultimately a game leading TD with three minutes to go.

[Mocha]

Pete Robertson just had the most bone-headed and costly penalty of the year by any team so far and it could well be the #1 of the year, by hitting Collaros well after the the Riders had stopped Winnipeg on second and goal, giving the Bombers a fist down and ultimately a game leading TD with three minutes to go.

Inexcusable. Just mind-boggling boneheaded.

But the Riders just tied it up. Looks like OT.

[kellynjk]

What a game!!! The CFL at it's best!!!!!!

[jerrym]

What a game!!! The CFL at it's best!!!!!!

Totally agree!

[jerrym]

Dolegala showed great poise as in experienced QB in not letting the pressure get to him both to tie the game then to lead the team to the end zone and get the two pointer. However, Pete Robertson penalty still qualifies as dumbest penalty of the year.

[OV Argo]

Riders showing they can compete to take the West's 3 horse race. Bombers are good, but not that great.

[ArgoRavi]

Riders showing they can compete to take the West's 3 horse race. Bombers are good, but not that great.

The Bombers, as good as they still are, don't scare anyone as they once did. Remember two years ago when opposition teams couldn't score a TD on them in the 4th quarter? Those days are long gone.

As for the Riders, they are entrenching themselves as the third best team in the West but I still think Winnipeg and BC are better.