The Betting Perspective - West Final SSK @ WPG

Saskatchewan @ Winnipeg (-8.5): TOTAL 43.5

A trip to the Grey Cup in Hamilton next week is on the line when the Blue Bombers and Roughriders meet in Winnipeg Sunday afternoon.

This year's West Final is a rematch of the 2019 league semifinal, a contest the Bombers edged the Riders 20-13 in Regina.

The Roughriders squeaked by the Stampeders last week 33-30 despite quarterback Cody Fajardo chucking four interceptions. Fajardo did rush for 89 yards and a score in the victory but the Riders signal caller now has an equal touchdown-interception ratio with 15 apiece. The Riders have struggled to protect Fajardo this year, giving up 40 sacks during the regular season and a pair last week versus Calgary. The protection issues better improve for the visitors considering Jackson Jeffcoat and Willie Jefferson are on the other side of the ball. As for Saskatchewan's defense, the Riders have given up a league-worst 274 passing yards per game, including 285 yards to Bo Levi Mitchell in the divisional semifinal but they did pickoff the Stamps quarterback twice in the contest.

The Bombers must be amped for this one considering they haven't played meaningless games for the last two months after clinching first place in the West Division on October 23rd. It's been a sensational season for Mike O'Shea's group in 2021, Winnipeg's defense have been the backbone of their team again; quarterback Zach Collaros is about to win the league's most outstanding player award and the Bombers are once again just a few wins away from lifting the Grey Cup for a second season in a row. Winnipeg beat Saskatchewan both times in the regular season by a combined score of 56-17 and held Cody Fajardo to no touchdown passes and four interceptions.

The Bombers are almost double-digit favorites, in a playoff game and have every right to hold such a betting margin. Winnipeg are Saskatchewan's kryptonite and the question bettors will have for this West Final is can Saskatchewan even keep this close?

This tilt will be won and covered in the trenches for the Riders, if they fail to pressure Collaros and can't get past the terrific offensive line of the Bombers, it's going to be a long day.

Winnipeg's defense turns the heat up again on home field, forcing Fajardo into mistakes. The regular season taught us a few lessons this year, the Bombers are the best team in the CFL and are miles better than the Riders.

Take Winnipeg even with the this many points.

Pick: Winnipeg -8.5