Blue Bombers vs. Roughriders Prediction: CFL Division Semifinals Point Spread, Odds
Both the Bombers and Roughriders enter this game winners of five of their last six games. This has all of the makings of being the best game of the season.
Sports Interaction oddsmakers have made the Roughriders 3-point favourites in this contest.
Betting Analysis
This game will be the first time the Roughriders have hosted a playoff game since 2013, and the first ever playoff game at the new Mosaic Stadium. The last time the Riders hosted a playoff game, they also won the Grey Cup. The Green Riders took two of three regular season games this season against the Blue Bombers, sweeping the back-to-back Labour Day weekend games. The Bombers returned the favour during week 18, crushing the Roughriders 31-0 in Winnipeg.
These two prairie rivals have a rich regular season history against each other, but the last time they met during the post season, was back in 2007 when the Riders topped the Bombers in the Grey Cup 23-19. Overall the Bombers have a dismal road record in the playoffs with a winning percentage of .396.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg finished the regular season with a 10-8 record, falling to the Eskimos last week 33-24. Backups Chris Streveler and Bryan Bennett shared quarterback duties in the contest, giving starter Matt Nichols a week off heading into this game. Running back Andrew Harris should be rested for this game against the Roughriders. He became the first Bombers running back to win back-to-back rushing titles since Charles Roberts did it in 2005-06. Harris finished the season with 1390 yards, carrying the ball only two times before exiting the game versus the Eskimos.
The Bombers offensive success will be dependent on whether or not this team will be able to move the ball along the ground. Also, the early forecast in Regina on Sunday calls for below freezing temperatures at game time. They’ll have to do it against a Saskatchewan defence that ranks fourth in points allowed. The Bombers led all teams in total points scored (550), total rushing yards (2,429), rushing touchdowns (23), and had the least amount of turnovers with 41.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Roughriders should be well rested after coming off a bye week in week 21. Despite the rest, one major question mark remains, the health of quarterback Zach Collaros. Collaros was knocked out of the team’s week 20 game against the Lions. His status for this contest is unknown; but if what has happened off the field this week is any indication, there could be a problem. This past Sunday, the team announced the signing of free agent quarterback Drew Tate. Tate joined the team this week, coming out of retirement after coaching at Coastal Carolina this season. Tate played in three games with the RedBlacks last season before calling it a career.
The offence, even when healthy, has been the weakest part of this team. The Roughriders finished second last in passing yards with 3,971, last in touchdown passes with 11, and sixth in points scored with 450, exactly 100 points less than the Bombers. However, the Roughriders finished second overall in team rushing with 2,014. Tre Mason was the starter, but in the last two games newcomer Cameron Marshall has rushed for 210 yards.
