Saskatchewan vs. Ottawa: Key Strategies for Week 18 Victory

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Saskatchewan vs. Ottawa: Key Strategies for Week 18 Victory

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are set to face the Ottawa REDBLACKS in Week 18. The matchup will take place at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET. Saskatchewan enters the game with a record of 10-4, while Ottawa holds a record of 4-10.

Saskatchewan Roughriders: Key Strategies for Victory

AJ Ouellette’s Ground Game: Running back AJ Ouellette recently surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season. He achieved this feat with 115 yards against Edmonton. Ouellette will be crucial in exploiting an Ottawa defensive front that has just traded lineman Lorenzo Mauldin IV.
Defensive Pressure: Saskatchewan leads the league with 37 sacks this season. Defensive linemen Malik Carney and Micah Johnson are essential to pressuring Ottawa’s quarterback, Dru Brown, to limit his effectiveness.
Trevor Harris’ Decision-Making: Quarterback Trevor Harris has struggled with interceptions, throwing 11 this season. It’s vital for him to manage the game effectively to maintain control and provide consistent offensive production.

Ottawa REDBLACKS: Key Strategies for Victory

Focus on Possession: Ottawa excels in time-of-possession, ranking second in the league with an average of 31:09. Maintaining possession and scoring in the red zone will be critical against a tough Saskatchewan defense.
Exploit the Passing Game: Quarterback Dru Brown demonstrated his arm strength earlier this season, throwing for over 400 yards in two separate games. Utilizing this capability against a susceptible secondary may yield significant offensive gains.
Run Defense: Ottawa’s defense has allowed an average of 94.9 rushing yards per game, positioning them as one of the best units in this category. Linebackers Jovan Santos-Knox and Adarius Pickett will play pivotal roles in stifling Saskatchewan’s ground attack.

Matchup Insights

This game is particularly significant for both teams as it marks their final regular season meeting. Saskatchewan has performed well on the road, with a 5-2 record, and they are 5-1 against teams from the East Division. Meanwhile, Ottawa’s chances of making the playoffs are slim, at just 4.24%, according to KPMG Playoff Probability analysis.

Viewers can enjoy the game on TSN and RDS in Canada or on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.