There are a couple of benefits to hosting the Western Final that should not be overlooked.

First, you have to play one less game to get to the Grey Cup. Second, you get to play in front of your home fans. And Winnipeg has the best fans, as decided by TSN! As important as that all is, maybe the most important part is that your team gets one extra week to get healthy.

That may be a huge storyline going into the game. Even if all the Riders play, they certainly are not healthy. Earlier, not practicing with Saskatchewan were Kian Schaffer-Baker, Bryan Cox Jr., and C.J. Reavis. However, they participated fully on Wednesday’s practice.

As for the Bombers, they seems to really be getting healthy!

And here is how they will stack up.

Standing out for me is that even though Kian Schaffer-Baker, Bryan Cox Jr., and C.J. Reavis, are all in, two of them do not have any backups listed. And as mentioned earlier all of them missed practice this week at some point, so none of them are totally healthy. Should Kian Schaffer-Baker, or C.J. Reavis have to come out of the the game, the Riders will have to start suffering players around.

Keys To A Bomber Victory & Trip To The Grey Cup

1. Winnipeg has to have a solid running game. No, the weather will not be bad, in fact quite nice for mid-November. But the Bombers must run the ball with efficiency to win.
2. Winnipeg needs to make smart passes. The Rides lead the way with takeaways. Rolland Milligan has been a ball hawk for Saskatchewan. Winnipeg can throw in his direction, but the throws need to be on time and on target! A big key to that will be protecting Collaros. It looks like Saskatchewan is going to try and bring the heat; much like Toronto and Montreal did at the end of the season. Saskatchewan is dressing 8 defensive linemen.
3. It would sure be nice to get a good return game from Winnipeg. Although not necessary – proved by the lack luster return game this season – every little bit will help.
4. On the other side of the ball, the Bombers have to get after QB Trevor Harris. Harris has the best all-time CFL completion percentage in the CFL, and we saw last week what happens when he has time. BC did not blitz much. Winnipeg is not known for blitzing this year. Winnipeg does not have to blitz, but then they have to find a way to disrupt Harris with 3 and 4 man pressure. (You can see that is going to be the game plan as Winnipeg is only dressing 6 defensive linemen.)
5. Winnipeg’s kicking game needs to be on! When Castillo is on…he is on fire! When he is off, it spirals out of control. All those 3 points, and extra points will matter. These teams have played each other close this year.
6. Finally, Winnipeg needs touchdowns, not field goals…unless they are longer field goals. Winnipeg needs to finish drives with majors. That will be on the receivers and and the short yardage team to capitolize.

Winnipeg will be playing in front of yet anther sold out crowd! The fans need to bring their noise and help their team as best as they can!

Maybe you agree. Maybe you disagree.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this!

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