THE CANADIAN PRESS
This weekend is highlighted by a couple rematches from Week 3, both of which were very notable in their results. The first rematch sees an upstart team trying to bounce back from its first loss of the season, a game lost very emphatically. The second rematch is the one most eyes will be on, thanks to the record of one of the teams involved
3. Under the radar
In the comments section of this week’s Monday Morning Quarterback, I was accused of having an anti-Winnipeg bias. Well, this week I think they are in one of the most interesting matchups, but it’s definitely not going to be the most talked about showdown. Much like this season so far for the Bombers, Saturday’s game with the Calgary Stampeders is flying a little up in the clouds.
At 2-1, Winnipeg is off to a very nice start. The Bombers have taken two close wins over the Riders and the Als, while their one loss came in a game when quarterback Drew Willy was forced out of action. The two full games Willy has played, he’s looked very sharp and very accurate. Willy and the Bombers are taking on a 2-1 Stamps group that still has yet to find its stride. I think Winnipeg can absolutely win this game, but even if the Bombers do more to 3-1, they probably won’t be getting the buzz they’d deserve. And that’s not a bad thing, because flying under the radar rarely hurts.
Can Drew Willy continue his fine start to 2015 up against Bo Levi Mitchell and the Stamps?
2. Rematch part one
The Edmonton Eskimos hammered the Ottawa REDBLACKS last week. It was a game that wasn’t close and it was huge for an Esks team that was not happy with how it opened the season in Week 1. Matt Nichols gets his second start of the season at quarterback and Edmonton’s defence will try to force mistakes like it did last Thursday night. But I have to say, with no offence intended to the Eskimos, that I’m far more interested in their opponent on Friday.
How will the REDBLACKS respond to their first loss of the season? After looking really nice in starting its 2015 campaign 2-0, Ottawa came crashing down with a 46-17 setback at Commonwealth Stadium. I fully believe the REDBLACKS are a much-improved team when compared to a year ago, but how will they face their first adversity of the season? A nice response at home to Edmonton, regardless of the final result, will continue to affirm that theory.
Henry Burris played his worst game of the season last weekend in Edmonton. How will he respond?
1. Rematch part two
When the Lions and Riders meet at Mosaic Stadium on Friday night, I’m curious to see the desperation level of the home side. For the third time this season, Saskatchewan lost a heartbreaker last weekend in the first of this back-to-back set with BC. Led by quarterback Travis Lulay, the Lions clawed back to tie things late before beating the Riders 35-32 in overtime.
The Riders are now 0-3 to start the season, and they have every right to be frustrated by it. They’ve been close in every game, and twice they’ve lost in overtime. But that doesn’t hide the most important fact heading into Week 4: Saskatchewan has to defend better. Lulay lit the Riders up through the air and they allowed 30 or more points for a third straight game. Are these early season defensive growing pains? Or is there reason to be really worried? Friday night will help us make that determination.
Can the Riders finally discover the win column in a home rematch with the Lions?
