Roughriders relish “playoff atmosphere” over final five regular-season games

There is plenty of runway left for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Just ask linebacker C.J. Reavis, who is enthused about the CFL team’s prospects in the weeks ahead.

“On the plane ride back here after the bye week, I was so happy to get back to practice,” Reavis said while looking toward the Roughriders’ first game in 13 games — Friday’s matchup with the host Calgary Stampeders.

“I can’t wait to play. I’m excited to play. It’s so fun to be out here and play my dream game, so I’m excited about the last five games of the season.”

The priority is to snap a seven-game winless streak and enjoy a stellar stretch run.

“We haven’t had a great season to this point, but we’re still in the running to do what we want to do,” Reavis said. “We just have to lock in, because what we want is still in front of us.”

Saskatchewan (5-7-1) currently occupies the West Division’s third and final playoff spot.

With 11 points, the Roughriders are three behind the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-6-0) and B.C. Lions (7-7-0) and just ahead of the Edmonton Elks (5-8-0) and Calgary (4-8-1).

Only five points separate first from last in the congested West.

Four of the Roughriders’ final five games are against divisional foes. After Friday, three of Saskatchewan’s remaining four games will be at Mosaic Stadium.

The Roughriders play host to the Ottawa REDBLACKS (Sept. 28), B.C. (Oct. 12) and Calgary (Oct. 26). The schedule also includes an Oct. 5 game in Edmonton.

“Every game has got to be a playoff atmosphere, plain and simple,” receiver Shawn Bane Jr. said. “We have to bring it game after game. We can’t let any slip.”

Saskatchewan has been outscored by a total of 41 points during an 0-6-1 run.

Over the past four games — all defeats — the combined margin of defeat has been 11 points.

The Roughriders have not endured such a stretch since 1948, when they also lost four in a row by a total of 11 points (three, six, one and one).

“I think we’re a very dangerous team,” Reavis said. “We just have to lock in on the details and play for one another.

“If we just continue scratching and clawing, we’ll be all right.”

That was the Toronto Argonauts’ mindset in 2022, when they had a losing record (4-5-0) before going 7-2-0 over the final half of the regular season.

After playing host to and winning the East Division final, Toronto posted a 24-23 Grey Cup victory over Winnipeg at Mosaic Stadium.

“If you remember, that season went similar to this,” noted Roughriders offensive tackle Trevon Tate, a member of the 2022 Argonauts.

“There were a lot of ups and downs, but the group came together and realized, ‘Everything we dreamed of, we have control of. It’s on us to take control. That’s when the dangerous game starts.

“Right now, we’re at the perfect time of the season. We’re on the back-end stretch to the season. I just feel like, right now, this team is going to click and it’s going to be at the right time.”