Arthur Ward/CFL.ca
“The season doesn’t really start to matter until Labour Day.”
We’ve all heard the line following the Canadian Football League. I’ve heard many players (usually with below .500 records in the summer) utter that same phrase.
Some believe it. Others think it’s a bit disrespectful to the first eight or so games of the season.
For the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2018, I’d argue, the season begins Saturday against the Calgary Stampeders.
It kicks off a stretch of six games where they play West Division teams exclusively. They have at least one game against all four divisional foes with an extra game against Calgary and Winnipeg.
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Can Brandon Bridge help string together a few wins against the West Division opponents ahead of the Riders? (The Canadian Press)
The first five games for the Roughriders, all against the East, finished off with an inconsistent and at times worrisome 3-2 record.
The Riders were pegged to have the potential to be a powerhouse and in the first three games they saw Zach Collaros go down with injury, get pummelled by Ottawa and then laid an egg against the Montreal Alouettes at home. At 1-2, the panic button wasn’t being pressed but the masses were restless. Calls for change were already coming. Duron Carter playing on offence was under mass protest. QB rotation was under fire and Chris Jones seat was warm.
Last week, we’ve seen an identity of this team start to take shape. A strong run game and an even better defence. There is also the third phase of the game with Christion Jones being able to spark the team with big returns.
But they have to start to put these games together. The inconsistency to start the season was called out by Head Coach Chris Jones before the team’s 31-20 win over Hamilton. He told gathered reporters they can’t put ‘two days together.’
That’s not going to equate into a home playoff game, as is the goal this season for the Roughriders, who are looking to take another step up the standings the West Division.
So who is this team? Are they that contender with a top defensive line, a good receiving corps and an exceptional run game or are they a team that will need their defence and special teams to score because their offence can’t get it done on a week to week basis?
We’ll find out how they look against the opponents who have given the most difficulty over the first two years of Chris Jones’ tenure in Saskatchewan.
A 5-15 divisional record has been the biggest reason the Riders haven’t hosted a playoff game and had to squeeze into a crossover spot last season to make the playoffs. Their record versus the East over that time has been a far superior 10-6. So a 3-2 record is right on pace with the norm for the Riders against their non-divisional opponents.
It’s going to be getting over the hump of winning these four point games that will see them shine again in the West Division.
Willie Jefferson has been a big part of the Riders defence so far this season (Arthur Ward/CFL.ca)
A stumble over the next six games and it could play the Roughriders right out of the conversation for a home playoff game, while they do have a shot to bring the Stampeders back to the pack and even have a realistic shot at taking the West Division.
Winning on Saturday, of course, is imperative for the latter to play out.
Calgary comes in with an unbelievable defence and an offence that doesn’t make many mistakes to put the Stampeders at a disadvantage. They are already +13 in takeaway/giveaway this season. In comparison, the Riders are second in the league, with a much less impressive +1.
Next week, it’ll be the high powered offence of Mike Reilly. Then the Stampeders again before going to BC and finishing off their stretch of six games with the Labour Day and Banjo Bowl back to back against Winnipeg.
There are sceptics and optimists in Saskatchewan regarding what the Roughriders really are and what they are going to accomplish this season. One of them will likely be proven right by the time the leaves start to turn and the run to the playoffs is under way.
Either way, it’s time for the Roughriders to show last week’s effort against Hamilton wasn’t just another flash in the pan but one that can carry them toward finally beating their western rivals.
