Thursday August 7th, the Bomber-Rider rivalry flares up again as the two prairie rivals Winnipeg and Saskatchewan meet. A long-standing grudge remains between these two prairie cities, located just 550 kilometers apart. This year’s version is expected to provide more fireworks than the previous versions.
What makes this year’s version more important than others? Competition. With the arrival of Ottawa, both teams are again in the west division. Both teams are also now very competitive, and they will meet three times in just over a month, giving both teams an opportunity to distance themselves from the other.
The 2014 Bombers look like they mean business, putting together wins most Winnipeg fans didn’t believe would see, coming off the disastrous 2013 season.
With a solid record, late game heroics, and timely defensive stands, they are playing like a team with a lot of heart. They are quietly positioning themselves to battle for first in the west.
The Riders, on the other hand, struggled out of the gate. Coming off of a Grey Cup winning season, they posted a 1-2 record with the only victory being week 1 in a very wet rained out game against the lowly Hamilton Ticats.
Since then, they have crushed their opposition, even if they only played Toronto and Ottawa. Since their bye week, they have looked to be back where they were last year. They are a very hungry and defensive unit that has forced turnovers and two-and-outs early in the past two games played.
Yes, this promises to be a big test for both teams. Are the Riders truly back to 2013 form? Can their defensive unit continue to stifle opposing offences? Will the great special teams play continue for this big game?
As for the Blue Bombers, will Drew Willy continue to have early season success and this time against his old playing mates? Will the Bomber secondary confuse Rider pivot Darian Durant into mistakes and poor decisions on second down, as they have for the better part of this young season against skilled offensive units?
Coach O’Shea knows all about rival games and the importance of not getting lost in the hype. That knowledge should trickle down to the young leaders of the team on the field. However, with an almost guaranteed sellout at Investors Group field this week, the noise and pressure will be on both side sides of the side lines. Whoever can control their emotions and limit the penalties will ultimately be the successful group.
The result this week will make one team stand out as the opponent with a target on their back (Winnipeg), or put the other team back in the talk of a potential repeat champion (Saskatchewan).
We aren’t used to seeing these two teams battle so early in the year, but that doesn’t make the game any less important. Both sides to make a statement and walk into Labour Day ahead in the standings.
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