The Canadian Press
TORONTO — It’s the annual Banjo Bowl, with the Saskatchewan Roughriders paying a visit to Winnipeg on Saturday to take on the Blue Bombers for the second time in as many weeks.
The first half of Saturday’s CFL doubleheader is the Week 12 CFL Pick ‘Em Marquee Matchup and features two teams that are on two very different kinds of streaks.
Winnipeg, a team that started the season 1-4, now finds themselves riding a five game winning streak and with a comfortable 6-4 record (third in the West). Just two points behind the BC Lions, Matt Nichols and co. will hope to close the gap this week with a win at home.
The Roughriders, however, are on a six game losing streak, residing in the basement of the league with a 1-9 record. It’s been a tough go for Saskatchewan so far in 2016 as they just haven’t seemed to find their footing since Chris Jones took over.
These two teams met in Week 11, during Mark’s Labour Day Weekend, with the Blue Bombers edging the Riders 28-25, thanks to a Justin Medlock field goal kicked with no time left on the clock.
The Riders will be hungry for revenge when they take the field on Saturday, not only to get a win against a team that beat them just six days ago, but to prove that they have what it takes to win football games. The Bombers, however, will hope to sweep the season series against their divisional rival.
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The fans are leaning heavily towards the Blue Bombers to win the Marquee Matchup this week and they have good reason to. Winnipeg is riding an impressive five game winning streak and has a defence that can shut down opponent’s offences; they’re second in total points allowed (229) and first in interceptions (20).
The Roughriders have just one win on the season, but with their team heating up, this week could be the week they snap their losing skid.
CFL.CA WRITER PICKS
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| Ferguson (2-0) | Landry (9-1) | Steinberg (7-3) |
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| Nye (7-3) | Cauz (8-2) | Morris (8-2) |
While 75 per cent of fans are taking the Blue Bombers, the writers aren’t as convinced. They’re split down the middle, with Jamie Nye, Matt Cauz and Jim Morris all picking the Roughriders to nab their second win of the season. Meanwhile, Marshall Ferguson, Don Landry and Pat Steinberg all picked the Bombers to continue their winning ways.
Can Winnipeg keep up their streak and creep up on BC in the West, or will the Roughriders finally get the monkey off their back?
Keep an eye on the pick trend and if you haven’t already, log in and make your pick! Kickoff arrives Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET.
