Riders vs. Lions: West Semi Final

First off, sorry for the lack on Monday Sentimonies. I was in Vegas for the weekend. I did bet on the Riders while there but made some poor choices in the other games in my parlay. Needless to say I did not win thousands of dollars and am back here blogging for the pennies my ad revenue brings in. 

Saturday the Riders are in BC with everything on the line. The regular season is but a meaningless and distant memory. All that matters is this one game. Win and the autumn of our discontent is forgotten as we forge one step closer to that elusive back to back Grey Cup. Lose and the playoff game becomes just the cherry on top of a dreadful back half of 2026. 

I will tell that were I in Vegas I would likely bet on the Riders. But not because I think we are going to win but because in the off chance they do I want to cash in on that upset. But I will refer you back to the opening paragraph to remind you of my betting prowess. I bet on Kirk Cousins for god sake. Even I think I’m stupid for that.  

To be blunt nothing that has occurred since Labour Day should give us any confidence heading into this game (no I don’t count beating Montreal and Edmonton’s back-ups as something that instills confidence). BC started in the season wallowing in the West basement and have been on a rocket ship back to the top since. We followed the exact opposite path. We started at the top and started plummeting stopping just in time to avoid crashing into the playoff-less basement of the West. They are hot. We are not. 

But does that mean all hope is lost? Hell no! I am a Rider fan I live and breathe false hope. What should give us hope is that we enter the playoffs with all our offensive starters, including the big 3. Go back to game 1 of the season to remind yourself what this offense can do to a team like BC when they are healthy and firing on all cylinders. BC has the #1 run but the #5 pass D. We need a strong run game to maintain balance but this game will be decided in the air. We need 350 yards and 3 TDs minimum from Harris and co. BC allows a high completion % to opponents so we need a stereotypical dink and dunk patient effort from Harris. He can’t be afraid to take shots to stretch the field but slow methodical drives are better than aggressive ones that end in incompletions or turnovers. We also need 7s not 3s. I’ll get into the defense shortly but let’s just say we ain’t counting on them winning this on their own. Offense needs to score 30 to have chance. Recent history would say that’s impossible but Trevor Harris can do it. 

Defense… you all just subconsciously shuddered when I said that. While confidence is low in the offense, there is a glimmer of hope there. The defense has been awful and I don’t see any reason to think they will suddenly get better. We are all just hoping they can hang on and somewhat slow BC down. What does give me some hope is that BC’s O-line allowed the second most sacks, despite having a mobile QB. We registered the second most sacks. The game will be won upfront. If we can stop the run (very possible) and get pressure on Rourke (in theory possible) then we have a chance. If we fail to get pressure Rourke will carve our sorry excuse for a secondary up. We need guys to make plays. We had an abysmally low number of turnovers this season and unlike last year we just can’t seem to get a “big play” from the D. Guys like Oladipo and Woods are about the only guys with multiple impact plays. Someone needs to step up and be a hero. Pressure and turnovers that’s the path to an upset.

I do think the game will be much closer than people think. All the pressure in on BC. If we lose its expected but if they lose then it just continues the narrative from last year that they are close but can’t get it done when it matters. If we can get an early score it plants that seed of doubt that could fester the longer we keep the game close. For all the weaknesses of the Riders they all know how to win in the playoffs. 

The Riders will keep this close enough to give us hope, only to crush it in agonizing fashion. As much as I would love surprise upset I just don’t see it. Offense may step up. Defense is just not good enough.     

That said I am going to go bet on BC just in case it makes them a victim of my terrible at gambling curse.