CFLSim Grey Cup: REDBLACKS Open as -2.5 Point Favourites
REGINA — Despite being at home for the CFL Sim’s Virtual Grey Cup, The Saskatchewan Roughriders open as +2.5 point underdogs in the inaugural game to be played this Saturday evening at Virtual Mosaic Stadium against the visiting Ottawa REDBLACKS.
Oddsmakers released the betting lines Tuesday morning.
Ottawa has been the story of the CFL Sim season. After starting the season with seven straight losses, the REDBLACKS won 10 of their last 11 games to finish with a 10-8 record, tied for second overall with Edmonton and Saskatchewan.
With playoff wins over Toronto and Calgary, Ottawa has now won their last eight games and 12 of their last 13. Three of their last four games have been wins over the first-place Calgary Stampeders.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are making a habit of playing in Grey Cup games at home. This Saturday’s game will the the first in a virtual setting, and first ever at virtual Mosaic Stadium. The Riders beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 45-23 in the 101st Grey Cup game played at the team’s old facility in 2013.
The virtual edition of the team limped into the playoffs after a strong opening half of the CFL Sim season. The Riders dropped seven of their last nine games to end the regular season but are back on track after playoff wins over BC and Edmonton.
Saskatchewan will have the edge at quarterback as Cody Fajardo finished second in CFL Sim passing with 5,359 yards. Canadian receiver Brayden Lenius was Fajardo’s top target and only 1,000 yard receiver finishing with an impressive 1,221 yards on the season.
In two playoff games, Fajardo threw for 453 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
On the other side, Nick Arbuckle boasts two 1,000 yard receivers at his disposal including the CFL Sim’s leading receiver Brad Sinopoli who finished the season with 1,629 yards. Marco Dubois is the other top target finishing the regular season with 1,083 receiving yards.
Difference Makers:
For Saskatchewan, the defensive secondary could be the difference on Grey Cup Saturday. Veteran defensive backs Nick Marshall and Ed Gainey were among the CFL’s interception leaders all season and the Riders’ defense has forced a whopping seven interceptions through the team’s first two playoff games.
On the other side, kicker Lewis Ward was near perfect through the CFL Sim season connecting on field goals at a rate of 91.4%. No kicker had better numbers than Ward.
The CFL Sim Virtual Grey Cup presented by The Rod Pedersen Show and the CFL Alumni Association will be played on Saturday, November 21st beginning at 6:30pm ET/3:30pm PT on Facebook LIVE and on the CFL’s official platform at GreyCupUnite.ca.
