Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Saskatchewan Roughriders Fired Up for Banjo Bowl

A much-needed victory two weeks ago and a much-needed bye last week have led the Bombers into their labour day match-up with the Riders this Sunday. 

The two teams are going in very different directions this season, but both are equally as desperate for a win. 

For the Bombers, they look to improve on their 2-6 record and keep pace with the rest in a quest for a playoff berth.  The Riders look to regain some confidence and re-establish themselves following two straight losses after beginning the season at 6-0.

A rematch of last year's Grey Cup, these two clubs have taken very different paths this season, but not the paths many expected. 

For the Bombers, following that heartbreaking Cup loss last year, they were expected to contend again this year with much of last year's team still in tact.  Instead, they have struggled mightily this year, posting a record of 2-6 with little room for error the rest of the way.

On the other hand, the Riders, following their Grey Cup win, went through a difficult offseason losing head coach Kent Austin and MVP quarterback Kerry Joseph.  With such key losses, not much was expected out of the Riders this season, but Saskatchewan has shown incredible resilience and unexpected power with an impressive 6-2 record to this point.

These back-to-back games are critical for both teams in the second half push for the playoffs.  For the Bombers, it's very simple: they just need to win.  And that is what they are going to have to do a lot of for the remainder of the season if they are to have any hope of making the postseason and returning to the Grey Cup. 

The Riders, after a terrific start this season, are looking to get back on track after two straight losses.  They will have newly acquired Michael Bishop in the lineup and will hope he can re-establish his dominance from last year that saw him post an impressive 11-1 record as the Argos' starter.

Doug Berry and the Bombers are fighting for their lives and must come out with the attitude that there's is no tommorrow—because quite frankly, that's what it's like in Winnipeg right now.  They cannot afford any more slip-ups because they have dug themselves such a deep hole that there is no room for error. 

The Bombers are coming off a very impressive 37-24 victory over the Ti-cats two weeks ago.  It was a game that saw the likes of Kevin Glenn and Charles Roberts break free from long droughts, Glenn throwing for an impressive 285 yards and a touchdown while Roberts finally broke lose to carry 23 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns.

The Banjo Bowl has allways been a heated matchup for these two prairie rivals, and this year will be no exception as they re both in desperate need of a win.  These clubs enter a critical part of the season now that will determine how they will fare in the final standings. 

CFL fans, strap yourself in for an intense roller coaster ride these next couple of weeks as these team leave it all on the line.