The Ottawa REDBLACKS are coming off their second Bye-Week of the season second in the East with a 5-2 record and an incredible 4-0 at home.
Ottawa will be hosting a depleted Roughriders squad who continue to miss running back A.J Ouellete, Linebacker Jameer Thurman and American quarterback Trevor Harris.
Quick Passes
Players Return from Injury
The REDBLACKS are welcoming back a plethora of players this week, Defensive backs American Alijah McGhee, and National Justin Howell, linebacker American Frankie Griffin, running back American DeVonte Dedmon and Right Tackle National Zack Pelehos all make their return to the active roster.
Patterson Starts as Harris sits another week.
Shea Patterson is starting his sixth consecutive game in absent of injured Trevor Harris. The Roughriders have gone 2-3 and hold a game lead over the Calgary Stampeders. Shea Patterson has averaged 251.8 passing yard across his five starts, completing on 63.88% of his passes.
Purolator Tackle Hunger comes to Ottawa
If you’re coming down the game, It is the Purolator Tackle Hunger game. in 2023, Purolator Tackle Hunger raised over two million pounds of food.
Undefeated at Home
The Ottawa REDBLACKS will look to remain undefeated at home. They have started the season 4-0
Keys To Victory
Attack Patterson in the Pocket
Part of the problem with the Roughriders is Patterson inability to avoid the sack, through six appearances, teams are averaging two sacks per game. With offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick, Phillip Blake, and Ryan Sceviour all on the six-game injured list, Roughriders will have American Nick Jones making his CFL Debut at right tackle.
Entering week 9, the REDBLACKS are seventh in the league in sacks with 15 sacks through seven games. With the injuries to the Roughriders offensive line, Ottawa will need to generate consistent pressure on Patterson with only four rushers. allowing the linebackers to stay in coverage.
A lot of attention will be given to Bryce Carter and Lorenzo Mauldin IV coming off the edge but the match up to watch out for is who can win the interior match ups. Whoever lines up over the right guard Logan Ferland will match up one on one majority of the night as center Peter Godber will support left guard Zach Fry. Cleyon Laing, Mike Wakefield and Blessman Ta’Ala will need to cause the interior of the pocket to collapse in front of Patterson.
Win the Turnover Battle
Ottawa has struggled to keep the ball out of opposing hands with 14 turnovers for through 7 games and are going against the top turnover defence in the league averaging 2.75 turnovers a game.
Generating turnovers isn’t an easy task either, the Roughriders have the fewest turnovers against in the league with 11, Patterson has only been intercepted twice through 6 appearances.
“Special Teams, Special Plays, Special Players” – Sketch 2024
Mario Alford vs DeVonte Dedmon? which explosive returner will put their respective offenses in positive territory Thursday Night.
Their bread and butter has been kickoff returns as both returners have had a 101 yard kickoff return touchdown. Entering Week 9 Dedmon is leading in the league in average return yards with 29.9 yards per return (13 returns) while Alford is third in the league averaging 26.4 yards per return (19 returns).
Punt returns are not much different, Dedmon is third in punt return average with 11.9 yards per return (23 returns) while Alford is sixth averaging 11.1 yards per return (33 returns).
For Ottawa, Dedmon will need to continue to put the offense in positive field position any chance he gets while kickoff and punt units will need to contain and focus on limiting Alford ability to put the Roughriders in positive field position.
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My Parlay
- Ottawa REDBLACKS Alternate Spread -4.5 +100
- Ottawa REDBLACKS Over 25.5 Total Points -115
- Alternate Total Points Under 49.5 -125
3 Leg Parlay +525
Depth Charts
Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-3) vs Ottawa REDBLACKS (5-2)
TD Place, Ottawa Ontario, Thursday August 8