WEEK 15 | DEFENCE CRACKS
Saskatchewan fell 48–31 to the Montreal Alouettes, surrendering a season-high in points against. Injuries in the secondary forced two rookies into starting roles, and Montreal took full advantage.
Tyson Philpot torched the Riders for 238 yards and two TDs, while McLeod Bethel-Thompson looked comfortable all night behind an O-line that kept the Rider pass rush quiet.
The offence wasn’t the problem; 31 points usually wins you a football game. But when the defence gives up 48, Rider Nation notices.
📊 Performance Rating: 27% Happy
Only 27% of fans said they were happy with the Riders’ performance. That’s a season low — and a clear message from Rider Nation.
This wasn’t just a loss; it was a setback that exposed depth issues on defence.
🟢 Fan Outlook: Resilient, But Tested
Despite the loss, Rider Nation hasn’t lost faith. Fans rated their outlook a solid 8.3/10 — a sign there’s still belief in this team’s playoff push.
- 31% scored their outlook at 9–10 (confident)
- 52% landed at 7–8 (cautious but optimistic)
- 8% dipped into the 1–6 range (concerned)
The takeaway? Fans aren’t jumping ship. But patience is wearing thin — defensive lapses like this can’t become a trend.
🟩 Performance in One Word: Opps
When asked to describe Week 15, Rider Nation came back with “disappointing,” “inconsistent,” and “lacking.”
A few optimists chimed in with “good” and “competitive,” pointing to an offence that still found success. But overall, the sentiment reflects what the scoreboard showed: the Riders were outmatched.
The Riders entered Week 15 as the West’s top seed, but Montreal exposed real cracks in depth and execution. Rider Nation still has hope, but the patience is thin. A stronger defensive showing in Week 16 will be the only way to win back momentum — and confidence.
💬 Rider Nation, We Hear You
This was a gut punch. The Riders are still at the top of the West, but Montreal exposed cracks that can’t be ignored. Rider Nation has shown resilience — optimism is still high, but will the Bye Week help our Green and White recover, rest and be ready for Week 17?
The defence doesn’t just need to be better. It needs to resemble the full roster of Riders again.
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