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The Saskatchewan Roughriders are the envy of the league going into the bye weeks.
But as impressive as their perfect record is, what is more impressive is how they’ve done it.
Not once has their been a game where the Riders were in the fourth quarter sweating. Not once have you felt in the back half of a game that this is it. This is the time the Riders lose.
No. They’ve dominated.
Their 32-point performance on Saturday in Guelph was their worst point total all season. They still won by 12 and have won by over 10 points in their first five games.
I put it out there on twitter on how Rider Nation feels how the rest of the regular season plays out, in terms of their record.
Right now what do you think the #Riders record will be after 18 games?
— Jamie Nye (@jamienye) July 28, 2013
The consensus; 14-4.
That projection is pretty hard to argue against, although some will find it tough to figure out which four games they’ll lose.
But there are five good reasons this team is at the top of the league and looking like their dream of winning the Grey Cup on home turf may not be too far fetched.
Kory Sheets
The man is unstoppable. The Riders have found an identity with Sheets. His near 700 yards in the first five games is unbelievable. He has a pace of not only reaching his 2,000 yard goal but demolishing it. Teams now know what is coming and they still can’t stop it. Through the first five games his worst performance is 130-yards rushing.
That’s right, his WORST day surpasses his best of 2012.
Offensive line
Sheets’ production is a great indication of what the five linemen are doing in front of them. Our radio analyst Belton Johnson (former Rider offensive lineman) says you can put all five linemen of the Riders down for the CFL all-stars and you wouldn’t be wrong.
Johnson is right. From left tackle Xavier Fulton over to the right tackle Ben Heenan, there is no group that has been so powerful off the line of scrimmage.
They are bull dozing the opposition and likely having a blast eating for free through the first five weeks as Sheets tops 100-yards.
Darian Durant/Drew Willy
As Sheets runs and the offensive line blocks, that means the Riders passing attack should be doing quite well. And yes it not only well, but mind blowing.
Darian Durant went through the first four games with 12 touchdowns to 0 interceptions and on Saturday night, Drew Willy has three touchdown day filling in for the banged up Durant.
Right when you think the team will have a let down with the backup quarterback, Willy throws up a near perfect game and you start thinking where this team’s weakness is.
That’s the problem. They don’t have one!
Durant and Willy have led the Riders offence to 0 turnovers through the first five games. While the ball hit the turf and two interceptions have been called back due to penalties, the Riders are yet to turn the ball over. Unheard of in modern day football.
Defence
The Riders defence has allowed the fewest amount of points. They have had their injuries but the next guy up hasn’t missed a beat for the most part of the first five games.
Rey Williams has six sacks on the year, already a career best. Tearrius George and the defensive line finally got the numbers we all expected with six sacks in Saturday’s win over the Tiger-Cats.
Oh and the defensive backs have been banged up and the replacements have continued to cover well.
The opposition looks completely confused by the different looks being thrown their way. Corey Chamblin preached versatility on defence and that’s what he has. Multiple players, playing multiple positions, creating multiple headaches for opposing quarterbacks.
Special Teams
Chris Milo is perfect on the seaosn with his 12 for 12 field goals. Ricky Schmitt is punting the laces off the football.
More impressive is actually the coverage teams. If you watch Saturday’s game against the Tiger-Cats, there was not many kicks where the returner got over five yards. They are staying disciplined in their lanes and coming down the field with purpose and precision.
It may not be the sexiest job on the football team but back-ups like Paul Woldu, Graig Newman, Sam Hurl and Levi Steinhauer are making their mark on great returners like Chad Owens and not allowing them to move the ball.
The Riders are #1 in all three phases and have the wins to show for it.
After their bye week, the challenge around the CFL will be who has the talent to keep up for the full 60 minutes.
Right now, the answer is nobody.
