Riders at Lions July 13, 2024

[almo89]

VA redeems himself

[TheLionKing]

No

[OV:54-40]

WOW ! - to the passing display by Adams, and MacInnis is just superb.

Not sure if this offence can hope to keep winning with Adams throwing all game to just 2 receivers though; run game was useless and no variety (Mackie in lots but they don't grasp the value of getting him the ball some?).

Defence is so-so at best and shoulda pounded an inexperienced, iffy QB like Patterson. BTW - what more does J. Archibald have to do to start gettting way more reps at DE? - change his passport maybe.

[B.C.FAN]

Amazing performance by Justin McInnis against his old team: a purrfect 14 catches on 14 targets for 243 yards. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.

VA missed a lot of receivers, especially Hollins and Stanback, and threw 2 terrible interceptions, but he still completed 26 of 42 passes for 451 yards. Hollins had only 5 catches on 14 targets but most of them came on the key fourth quarter drive that clinched the victory.

Sean Whyte went 7 for 7 to remain purrfect on the season. His final FG on the last play was a good decision by Rick Campbell that gives the Lions a 15-point lead in the season series if the Riders come back and win the rematch on the Prairies in October

[don corleone]

Lions kept it closer than it should have been. 7 FG's is a lot.

Good win though and they beat the -8.5 pt spread.

[SammyGreene]

We committed about $700,00 on salary cap space on new off-season deals for Hollins, Cottoy and Hatcher. Now they have to somehow extend McInnis as he heads into free agency. Nearly 400 yards of receiving in past 2 weeks. Incredible.

VA has been locking in on McInnis and Hollins all season with some phenomenal games. But we witnessed the negative side of that today when the hot hand gets hurt and the other struggled and VA started forcing balls into him like his 2nd INT. Need to watch Eberhardt and Berryhill more to see if they are getting open. Hatcher's return, never mind Cottoy, will perhaps provide more balance with this explosive offence.

Josh Archibald just keeps making big plays. Not sure how many reps he is getting compared to Robertson and Teuhema but he is sure making the most of it. Was impressed with Tavai's debut as well, especially an area we need to be better at.

[B.C.FAN]

Patrice Rene also deserves a shout out for another big defensive effort with 3 tackles for loss, a key end-zone knockdown and a bone-jarring special trams tackle.

[DanoT]

An entertaining game with both teams making plays and making mistakes. Lions winning the turnover battle may have been the difference. Actually, McInnis was the deference, with his strong hands and long reach.

Settling for 7 FGs isn't great as it seems to leave a lot of points on the field. OTOH kicking a 50yd FG, isn't exactly settling.

[maxlion]

Incredible statement game by McInnis against his old team. With his reach, hands, and ability to get open, he is virtually unstoppable.

It is also nice to see Adams reaching his potential. Hollins has really emerged this year too. What a fun and exciting offense to watch.

[David]

* Attendance: 30,803.

* Not sure whether the score would have been in our favour with Trevor Harris at QB for the Riders. Patterson can't throw it deep but was successful in the short passing game with huge YAC for Emilius and Schaffer-Baker.

* I knew it would be tough to run on the Riders but Stanback, 12 carries for 14 yards? Yikes.

* Pass rush was better with Tavai. Agree with others. More reps for Archibald. As mentioned, Pete Robertson has been a disappointment for me. Tuehema hasn't been much better, but at least he had 3 tackles today.

* McInnes is like a human Dyson vacuum. Everything thrown near him gets sucked into his possession. Among the strongest hands I've seen.



DH

[Toppy Vann]

On that first drive which led to the first FG to put the Lions up 3 to 0 when the Lions were 3rd and 4 at the 9 yd line just a few minutes into the game, would it have killed Rick Campbell to let his OFF stay on the freaking field!!!! Then later he games somewhere around mid-field. Granted the entire OL was blocking left and and Stanback went that way letting Riders knock VA on this rear for an earlier 2 and 23. If you want more fans make sure it's exciting.

I am well aware that the Lions can't run the football despite Stanback as their OC has little creativity other than passing.

Given that us fans were in hot sticky conditions would it have lost them the game if they couldn't pass it or VA run it for 4 yds from the 9 when it was so early in the game.

In BC Place I always think of the opening kickoff vs the Riders in 1983 when Don Matthews had Lui P kick an onside kick (successfully) setting the tone for the team and fans alike that they were going to be exciting.

Leos caught napping on the Riders kick off late in the game and Riders recovered. I was confused at first as I forgot the kick off after the TD was from the 30.

Hollins dropping that for sure TD was brutal. He's good enough to trust his hands like say Tyson Philpot is trained to do.

McInnis must be very happy that the Riders didn't want him as in VA he's got a QB who can find him and he fights brilliantly for every ball. This is another of a great lot of Canadian Receivers that make the CFL look pretty damn good.

This is not sustainable but VA despite some criticisms tonight for errant throws (some was due to pressure though):
14 passes for 243 receiving yardsy
Vernon Adams Jr. also had a big day, throwing for 451 passing
53 yards rushing.

The failure to be able to run the ball is coaching stemming from an idiotic philosophy that de-values the run game that for some years now has plagued this franchise. My buddy was saying despite some brilliant tosses and catches that without running the ball it's not exciting football. Thankfully the Riders OC has neutralized Ouellette with their run schemes as the Riders only ran for 86 yards.

https://www.cfl.ca/2024/07/13/justin-mc ... at-riders/

[TheLionKing]

Right now, McInnis is the front runner for the MOP and Top Canadian IMO

[B.C.FAN]

Right now, McInnis is the front runner for the MOP and Top Canadian IMO

I think Adams is the frontrunner for MOP and McInnis for MOC, but their record-breaking stats likely won't hold up later in the season when the wind starts howling and snow and rain start falling, at least for Lion road games.

The Lions will likely move McInnis back to the field side of the formation when Keon Hatcher returns. McInnis did well there before, but Hatcher and Hollins will likely get the majority of VA's targets.

[SammyGreene]

Right now, McInnis is the front runner for the MOP and Top Canadian IMO

I think Adams is the frontrunner for MOP and McInnis for MOC, but their record-breaking stats likely won't hold up later in the season when the wind starts howling and snow and rain start falling, at least for Lion road games.

The Lions will likely move McInnis back to the field side of the formation when Keon Hatcher returns. McInnis did well there before, but Hatcher and Hollins will likely get the majority of VA's targets.

This remains a concern of mine.
Different parts at QB, receiver and RB but things really haven't changed since 2022. It's super fun to watch this offence under mainly ideal conditions thru the summer but what happens when throwing the ball becomes a challenge like we have seen in the last 2 Western Finals?
I guess the good news is entire path to the Grey Cup could be played out of BC Place if the Lions can secure 1st place. But yesterday was a great example. 9 point lead, your red hot receiver cramping, your other big target struggling and three other rookies on the field including a Canadian junior product who was essentially an emergency starter, Also throw in VA being under steady pressure, leading to some poor throws and it screamed to establish the run game and the Lions simply couldn't.

The Riders run defence has been very good all season but were missing some starters. Even on the final drive they brought in Pierson for additional blocking and Stanback was getting initially hit in the backfield.

I get it. The Lions must think their passing scheme is essentially unstoppable and it has been with their best receiver set to return. But they better make sure their trip to Mosiac in mid-October is the only potential cold weather game they need to worry about.

[Walt67]

I came here the morning after the game looking for comments on the running game - or lack of - and found them.

Yes, the win really reminded me of the summer of 2023 when we dazzled with passing but stumbled on the ground -- and that always, always leads to failure around November.

Of course getting Stanback was the right idea but the O'line's failure to open holes was depressing - that was underlined given the canyons Oulette could exploit with bulldozer determination.

The brightest moment in the game was when McInnis reappeared in the game after sitting out - the biggest lesson is that the running game STILL won't get it done.