Passing Game: Last season, Jarious Jackson appeared to be the future for the Lions. But after struggling early on this year, Buck Pierce stepped in and led the Leos to a resurgence down the stretch. Pierce is nursing some injuries so either one could get the start.
Running Game: Rookie Stefan Logan played well enough to replace perennial MOP candidate Joe Smith this season. Even the arrival of Charles Roberts, another perennial MOP candidate, did not affect Logan's status as the feature back in Vancouver. With Roberts out for the season with a torn achilles, the spotlight is on Logan.
Receiving Game: Another season, another 1,000 yards for Geroy Simon, the sixth straight time reaching that mark. Canadian Paris Jackson broke through the 1,000 yard barrier for the first time this year and last year's Outstanding Canadian Jason Clermont hopes to return from an MCL injury.
Offensive Line: Outstanding offensive guard Rob Murphy has annoyed almost every defensive lineman in the league and even chalked up a fine for "clearly inappropriate" conduct. He's a force to be reckoned with.
Special Teams: Ian Smart set a new league record for kick-off return yards and he's not too shabby on punt returns, either. At 38, kicker Paul McCallum may not have the distance anymore but he connected on over 85% of his field goal attempts.
Roughriders' Defence: As per usual, the Roughriders have been stingy on defence. They are above average against the run and even better against the pass. On the downside, they don't create many turnovers or put a lot of pressure on the quarterback.
Matt Dungian says the Lions win if... they can weather the storm early, not only from the Riders themselves but the Rider Nation. The best way to ensure this is to score early, period. To control the line of scrimmage in this contest will be the deciding factor, whether you are talking defence or offence. The trenches will be physical and violent and whomever can win this battle, wins the game. Offensively, the quickness of Stefan Logan and his ability to create, running the football and catching the ball out of the backfield, will go a long way into sustaining drives and winning up front. A successful ground attack will free up playmakers like Geroy Simon and Paris Jackson. Both Pierce and Jackson have the capabilities to be explosive from behind the centre but must play clean football. Limit the turnovers or you will ignite Mosaic! Defensively, the Lions must stop the ground game of Saskatchewan and they have the talent to do so. Mix coverages up on the back end and force Bishop to hang on to the ball just a fraction of a second longer. This will allow pressure from Wake, Johnson, Hunt and Williams to take its toll, force poor decisions, and create turnovers. Ian Smart and Paul McCallum have been spectacular all season for the Lions special teams and this combo must produce once again. The good thing for the Lions is McCallum knows how to handle the windy conditions that can be a factor at Mosaic. It's ironic that the Lions have to beat the Riders and the Stamps to advance to this year's Grey Cup because it was those two teams they could not beat at the beginning of the season, Weeks 1 and 2 putting themselves in this unenviable position.