For the second time this season, the Saskatchewan Roughriders lost to the Calgary Stampeders.
After falling 24-10 six weeks ago, the Roughriders found themselves on the short end once again as they dropped a 32-15 decision on Saturday in Week 12 of the CFL season.
While it was just the second loss of the year for the Roughriders (8-2), there will no doubt be some questions as to who the better team is in the West Division after the Stampeders' (7-3) latest performance.
Here are the top takeaways from Saturday's game:
1. What is it about the Stampeders that give the Roughriders such a tough time? Did they adjust enough from their last meeting six weeks ago? Or is it just simply execution? And how will this affect the team come playoff time as these two appear destined to meet in November given how they are playing.
2. Could you have written a worst start for Saskatchewan? A dropped touchdown pass followed a missed field goal. And then the Stampeders score a touchdown on the next drive. An interception by Trevor Harris and another Calgary touchdown followed. Not ideal.
3. Could you have written a worst finish either? Zero points in the second half obviously won't get it done.
3. After the slow start, the Roughriders were able turn it around in the second quarter as Harris engineered Saskatchewan's first touchdown with his arm and legs. The 39-year-old veteran showed no fear on a five-yard scramble to get a first down before hitting KeeSean Johnson for a 62-yard strike. That set Harris up for an eight-yard touchdown throw to Dohnte Meyers, as Saskatchewan's showed signs of life.
4. That drive seemed to spark the Roughriders as they grabbed all the momentum back with a second straight touchdown drive as Dhel Duncan-Busby caught a 10-yard score to put Saskatchewan up 15-14 after trailing 14-2.
5. However, any momentum gained seemed to disappear at halftime. In the third quarter, the Stampeders came out and scored a touchdown early before adding 11 more points to go up 32-15. The Roughriders had no answer offensively.
6. After missing three of five field goals last week, Brett Lauther missed an opening-drive kick from 28 yards. While Lauther made his lone convert attempt, there will be more questions heading into next week -- even if it was just one miss. Could he be replaced by newly signed rookie Campbell Fair for next week's Labour Day Classic? Or will they give him one more game before making a change?
7. Whether it was due to performance or injury, rookie Drae McCray fumbled a ball for a second straight game and was replaced by Dohnte Meyers as the primary returner. With veteran Mario Alford nearing a return to the lineup, there could be another special teams change next week. Alford returned to practice last week and would certainly provide a spark, and some stability, for the Labour Day Classic.
8. The Roughriders gave up just 11 sacks in their first nine games of the season but they allowed four on Saturday as Calgary's strong defensive line was able to break through on a few occasions. Calgary's entire defence is strong but their front four proved their dominance Saturday led by second-year pass rushers Jaylen Hutchins and Clarence Hicks who are paired up with all-star Folarin Orimolade and former Rider Miles Brown. A pair of backups also had sacks including a bone-crunching hit on Harris by rookie Shaun Peterson Jr.
9. One has to wonder if the season series between these two teams will come into play when it comes to the West Division playoff race. Calgary is now just two points back of Saskatchewan for top spot in the division and they have clinched the tiebreaker by winning the season series. Could it come down to that for the right to host the West Final? Long ways to go but we'll see.
10. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-4) aren't playing as dominant as they have been in recent years but the Blue and Gold are still a tough out. Now Saskatchewan has to face them in back-to-back weeks. Winnipeg has won three of four, only suffering a loss to Calgary in Week 10, and can easily put themselves back into the conversation for top spot with a pair of wins over the Green and White while the Stamps face an emerging Edmonton Elks team twice in a row.