rather than one that seems to be lacking the spark that the Stampeders had.There are

Nye: Riders learn important lesson against Stamps
The Saskatchewan Roughriders now know what it’s going to take to get to the 101st Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium.The Calgary Stampeders taught them a lesson, and maybe their most important before the playoffs begin in two weeks.The Riders went into McMahon Stadium with a bit of confidence. They were winners of three straight, the latest of which being a dominant win over the team they’ll play in the Western Semi-Final. Yes, they were competitive against the best team in the West, but competitive isn’t going to get them to the Western Final at McMahon Stadium.It didn’t win them the game on Saturday.The Riders had their chances, forcing three turnovers in the early goings of the game. However, those chances were squandered, as they managed to register just six points off those opportunities.Once the Riders were inside the 10 , they couldn’t convert. Instead of handing the ball over to their likely selection for Most Outstanding Player in Kory Sheets, they opted to throw ball.Mark that down as one of the lessons learned.What gets you to the big game will more than likely help you win the big game. The Riders went away from the run and away from Sheets in the first half with just five touches going into the final 30 minutes.Here's an interestoing stat: The team was 11-1 in games where Sheets got the ball 20 or more times.Sheets needs to be an integral part of the game plan. When Sheets is getting the ball, the offence can do so much more off play action. When there is no threat to run, there is no threat to fake a hand off and what you get, is the game Charleston Hughes and company got: Seven sacks on Darian Durant, most on second and long.Discipline is another lesson learned. Related Links Riders lose tight one to Stamps Jon Cornish powered his way to a game-winning major as the Calgary Stampeders clinched the West Division with a 29-25 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. View Game Stats Buy: Riders vs. Esks tickets Far too often,Arizona Cardinals Jersey, especially in the first half of their 29-25 loss, the Riders were helping out the Stampeders 15 yards at a time with clipping, unnecessary roughness or roughing the passer penalties. Those types of penalties in a playoff game will have an even bigger impact than they will in Week 17.On top of that, the Riders’ bench was nailed for an objectionable conduct penalty with less than three minutes to play.That call, along with the pass interference call that led to the bench losing their cool, allowed the Stampeders to get into Riders territory, extend the drive and eventually score the game winning touchdown.The other lesson the Riders will need to learn doesn’t come from Saturday’s game. They can’t look too far down the road.Durant is well aware of that.Before the game against the Stampeders, the quarterback was hesitant to discuss what Saturday’s result could mean in the Western Final if these two teams were to meet again.Durant noted instantly that the BC Lions are still in the mix.They are in fact the team the Riders will play in the Western Semi-Final in two weeks, and are one angry team after the Riders pounded them just a week ago.In the meantime,Cheap NFL Jerseys, Saskatchewan has a game coming up where they can work on some of these lessons the Stampeders taught them.Their offence needs to start becoming a big play machine, rather than one that seems to be lacking the spark that the Stampeders had.There are, however, some positives from the loss.The Riders showed they are right there with Calgary. The Stampeders needed a few calls to get the yardage to put them in winning territory.Saskatchewan is close.But, as they say, close is only effective in horseshoes and hand grenades.Close in football means you’ll be talking about next year before the Grey Cup is handed out at Mosaic Stadium November 24th.