ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – There was a thought spreading around CFL circles that the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who have been perennial Grey Cup contenders since 2007, were starting to show glaring weaknesses. A humbling 31-2 loss to rival Winnipeg Blue Bombers had many who wanted to denounce the success of Rider Nation, once again, come out of the wood work.
Players To Watch:
QB Darian Durant
RB Wes Cates
WR Andy Fantuz
WR Rob Bagg
WR Weston Dressler
WR Chris Getzlaf
DE Brent Hawkins
DB James Patrick
LB Barrin Simpson
K Luca Congi
Storylines:
Can the Riders continue to build on their momentum and make a run for first place?
How will Durant fare against an Argos secondary that has recorded 13 interceptions this year?
Will Saskatchewan’s receivers continue their torrid pace against opposing defences?
Since that loss, however, the Riders have done nothing but play convincing and entertaining football, winning two tough games at home against Calgary and then in Hamilton, and hope to continue their play this week when they open up the first of a home-and-home series in Toronto.
The Riders’ defence has been solid all year, especially in the front four led by DE Brent Hawkins, but it is their offence that is stealing all of the headlines throughout the league.
Plain and simple, the Riders’ offence is playing lights-out right now. Quarterback Darian Durant is hitting receivers with pinpoint accuracy and has passed for 918 yards in the last two games alone. Factor in the balanced rushing attack from RB Wes Cates and the Riders will likely give the vaunted Argos secondary their toughest challenge thus far in 2010.
Then there is the trifecta of receivers Rob Bagg, Weston Dressler and Andy Fantuz. The three have combined for 714 yards and five touchdowns in the last two contests with Fantuz accounting for 255 of those yards two weeks ago against the West Division leading Calgary Stampeders.
What was once a clear runaway with first place for the Stampeders just two weeks ago has quickly become a very tight race in the West. A Calgary loss (to Montreal) combined with a Roughriders win (in Toronto) would move the Saskatchewan into first place.