“We just have to play Stampeder football” is a phrase I often hear from players as they get ready for a game. But what does that mean, really?
In short, it’s playing the game the right way.
Don’t beat yourself with mistakes. Don’t turn over the football. Don’t kill your own drives or extend the other guy’s drives with bad penalties. Make the play when it’s there.
WATCH BELOW: Dave Rowe and Jock Wilson break down the Western Final and what’s ahead for the Calgary Stampeders at the Grey Cup
To be honest, we haven’t seen too much of that down the stretch. But in Sunday’s Western Final, “Stampeder football” made the difference between winning and losing.
Was it perfect? Far from it. But then again, a perfect game is something you see in baseball, not football – and not too often at that.
Key stats? How about zero turnovers. Not a fumble, not a pick. No third-and-short fails.
WATCH BELOW: Stamps fans ready to tailgate before Western Final
The Edmonton Eskimos had one turnover: the key fumble by Jamill Smith that essentially ended the game.
How about seven penalties? That’s good and it had to be. Edmonton only had three, none on offence.
A smothering defence has been a key to Stampeder football this year and their big number was 14. As in yards rushing for Mike Reilly.
The omnipresent threat of the Esks’ quarterback taking off and running was neutralized by a line that sacrificed rush and sack glory for, “contain, contain, contain.”
That’s Stampeder football. And that’s what wins games.
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