Riders vs. Lions: Quarterback Roulette

In the days leading up to Saturday’s game between the Riders and Lions there has been a lot of uncertainty on what the QB match-up will be. It could be Harris vs. Rourke. It could be Maier vs. Masoli or any combination thereof. As of writing this, its looking like Harris vs. Masoli but we may not actually know until tomorrow. 

Even four weeks into the season there is still a lot we don’t know about both teams. The Riders are undefeated but displayed all the killer instinct of a bay deer in the process. The Lions looked like world beater when playing the lowly Elks and looked worse than the lowly Elks when playing the mighty Bombers. I imagine the truth is somewhere in between but who knows? 

Offensively the Riders come into this game with the most TDs scored this season. Ouelette powers a strong run game. The passing attack can be sporadic but when its on its deadly. The Lions have allowed the 2^nd most TDs. They are 2^nd best against the pass but 7^th against the run. Any guesses where we should focus our attack? BC has a good front 4 and it scares me to have Trevor Harris coming off concussion protocol and having to be on the field with serial headhunter Micah Awe (the CFL’s all-time leader in repeated fines that don’t lead to suspensions). Running solves a lot of those concerns. I have Ouelette cracking 100. Expect the pass game to go through Johnson and Myers. This would be a great time for Harris to break his pick per game streak. 

Offensively BC is struggling. 2^nd most TDs allowed. Lowest completion %. Most turnovers. I have all the respect in the world for Masoli as a person but much like Drake, his career peaked in 2018 the years that followed have not exactly been kind, particularly of late. I am more worried about Masoli being pulled and us turning their 3^rd stringer into some sort of phenom than I am about Masoli. What does worry me is that BC’s offense (2^nd in passing yards but 7^th in running) is perfectly suited to counter our D. We won’t let you run but passing yards, yeah we give those out like STDs at Craven. So expect us to follow the Mace formula yet again. Stop the run, let them pass and hope to counter with sacks and turnovers. What we need to do is start better… i.e. don’t give them a TD on the first drive before remembering how to play. And finish better… we have allowed 11+ points in every 4^th quarter this season. 

Mario has some good returns that tease us but not TDs this week. Lauther finally breaks out of his funk. BC has averaged 18 points per game in the last 2 weeks.  Our offense have never scored less than 3 TD in a game. So hold them to 20 or less and we win. 

Once again I see us making this way closer than it has any business being but we should not lose to Masoli at home. 

Riders by a Tommy time TD.