Blue Bombers can clinch playoff spot versus resting Roughriders

A lot of postseason scenarios come into play if the Winnipeg Blue Bombers don't win either of their final two games, including missing the playoffs entirely.

Offensive lineman Pat Neufeld aims to keep things simple going into Friday night's home game with the West champion Saskatchewan Roughriders.

"I'm sure there's a lot of people that have put time into figuring that out," he said, "but not us simpletons in this room."

This part isn't hard to deduce: With a win Friday or in the regular-season finale next week against Montreal, Winnipeg (8-8) is in the postseason -- keeping its hopes of playing in the Grey Cup for the sixth straight year alive.

The Bombers will have to do it without top receiver Nic Demski (leg), who was injured Saturday in a 25-20 loss at Edmonton after going over the 1,000-yard mark for the year in the first quarter. They may have to rely more on running back Brady Oliveira, who went over 1,000 yards for the fourth straight year with 117 yards on 12 attempts against Edmonton.

While Winnipeg is fighting for its postseason life, Saskatchewan (12-4) already knows it will play in the West final next month at home. It clinched that distinction Oct. 10 by stopping Toronto 27-19.

With nothing to play for during the last two games, the Roughriders are going to rest a bevy of key players in this one. Nine starters will sit out, including quarterback Trevor Harris and running back A.J. Ouellette.

Former Calgary starter Jake Maier gets the call in Harris' place, the second time this year Maier has started. He helped Saskatchewan rout B.C. 37-18 on June 28, throwing for 170 yards and a touchdown.

"You definitely feel more confident because you've obviously done it with this group and with this team," Maier said. "We're going to show up on Friday night with a purpose, and that purpose is to get better and compete as best we can."

Saskatchewan already owns two wins over Winnipeg this year, earning a 34-30 home win on Aug. 31 and taking a 21-13 road victory on Sept. 6.

--Field Level Media