Rider fans should be optimistic following Saturday’s 38-25 win over B.C., but it should be cautious optimism.
Cody Fajardo is not only proving he is a leader, but proving that he can stretch a defense with the deep ball. He threw an amazing 36-yard laser to Shaq Evans in the first quarter to prove that point. Fajardo’s arm strength and deep threat accuracy were unknowns four weeks ago. Now he has proven that he has the tools to succeed in the CFL.
Defensively the Riders registered four sacks and one interception. It’s not imperative that the Riders defence score as many points as they did a year ago, but it is important that they make big plays. Depth was on display too. A big, tide-turning kick return for a touchdown from Marcus Thigpen fired up offensive and defensive players alike.
Now the rematch looms as we near the middle third of this CFL season. A win would give the Riders a sizeable four-point lead with a game in hand on the Lions. A Riders loss this Saturday, would mean last Saturday’s win was all for not.