On Friday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have the chance to end the Calgary Stampeders season and an opportunity to put an end to an impressive streak for Calgary.
The last time the Stampeders missed the Canadian Football League Playoffs was in 2004. Since then, Calgary has compiled 17 straight playoff appearances.
The Roughriders will travel to McMahon Stadium this week to face off against the Stampeders. If Saskatchewan picks up the victory, they will nail down the final playoff spot in the Western Division.
If Calgary wins this week, they will gain control in the race for the final playoff spot. Calgary’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot would fall to 2, with a combination of Stampeders wins and Roughriders losses that can decrease the number.
Riders Head Craig Dickenson says even though the Stampeders have struggled this season, they are still one of the model franchises in the league.
“They’re (Calgary) a really good organization, I know they haven’t played as well as they hope this year, but they’re in a lot of ways, a team you got to beat year in and year out in the West.”
The chance to eliminate the Stampeders from playoff contention is one of several motivating factors for the Roughriders, according to Dickenson.
“Our guys have enough to play for our own selves, that it doesn’t necessarily matter who we’re playing, the fact is against the team who can catches us in the west is a good thing.”
With their playoff chances on the line this week in Calgary, the green and white are doing their best to rally to the occasion. Dickenson says there have been veterans like defensive tackle Micah Johnson and centre Peter Godber who have stepped up in the locker room this week along with General Manager Jeremy O’Day.
“I’m just trying to get veteran players, guys who have been here for a long time, like Jeremy (O’Day) and so on to talk to the team and just give them a voice.”
Receiver Shawn Bane Jr. confirmed the team is aware of what’s at stake this week against the Stampeders.
“A lot of guys have been vocal which has been pretty cool, but it’s just the sense of urgency has been increased, we know what we got to do, so we’re just coming to work with the hardhat and doing exactly that.”
Bane Jr. was a member of the last two Stampeder teams that made the postseason. The chance to eliminate his old team is sweet revenge for the receiver.
“I think everything that is decline in Calgary just adding to my story, and just me departing from them, I think it would be cool to help them not make the playoffs.”
Practice Notebook
Earlier in the day, the Roughriders released receiver Kendall Watson and defensive back William Poole III. Watson appeared in four games and had 154 receiving yards, while Poole III played in his lone game with the green and white last week.
The injury report was released following practice. LB T.J. Brunson (neck) and DB Jeremy Clark (knee) will miss Friday’s game. L
LB Derrick Moncrief (neck/shoulder) and DT Charbel Dabire (illness) are questionable.
