The Saskatchewan Roughriders went from being one win away from clinching a playoff spot to suddenly having some work left to do.
After last week’s loss to Calgary, the Riders missed an opportunity to secure their place in the postseason. But Plaza of Honour quarterback Darian Durant believes Saskatchewan is still in a good position.
In fact, Durant thinks the Riders could have an advantage over the teams they are battling with for a playoff spot. The Riders close out the regular season against the Montreal Alouettes and Edmonton Elks, two teams currently sitting atop their respective divisions.
That could change the way both teams approach their final games, something Durant believes could work in Saskatchewan’s favour.
“I think it's the Riders, honestly,” Durant said on the SportsCage. “You look at them playing against the two division leaders at the moment in Montreal and Edmonton to finish the season.”
Durant believes there is a good chance the Riders could see some backup players if Montreal and Edmonton have already locked up their playoff positions.
“I think the Riders will play against several backups in the next three weeks, and it gives them the best opportunity to come out on top,” Durant said.
Those teams obviously have to strike a balance. While coaches may want to protect key players from injury, they also don't want their starters sitting for too long and becoming rusty before the playoffs.
“They'll play some snaps,” Durant said. “But you definitely want to keep these guys out of harm's way. But at the same time, you don't want to risk them being too rusty going into the playoffs.”
That could leave Saskatchewan in a very different position than the teams it is battling for a playoff spot.
B.C., Calgary and Winnipeg are all fighting for their postseason lives, meaning their remaining games could carry enormous pressure.
“These guys are going to be battling each other,” Durant said. “These must-win, do-or-die situations for these teams.”
Durant believes that could make the race difficult to predict.
“So it's going to be, you know, a coin flip, in my opinion, for those teams,” he said.
The Riders, meanwhile, may have a clearer path.
Saskatchewan will travel to Montreal to face the Alouettes on Thanksgiving Monday before hosting the Alouettes the following Friday and finishing the regular season against Edmonton.
If Durant is right, the Riders could find themselves facing teams that have less to play for, while their own playoff hopes are still very much alive.
“The Riders, given that they're playing the division leaders, have the best chance, in my opinion,” Durant said.
For a team that appeared to be on the verge of clinching a playoff spot just one week ago, Saskatchewan now faces some uncertainty.
But Durant sees opportunity. And if Montreal and Edmonton have nothing left to prove when the Riders arrive, Saskatchewan may have exactly what it needs to get back into the postseason.
That’s Between The Lines for Sheppard Realty in Regina, specializing in farm and ranch real estate in Saskatchewan. Call Harry, Justin or Devan at 352-1866.
