Video: Patrick Watkins' pick-six was crucial for the Esks; will he shine again?

The Edmonton Eskimos have been remarkably dominant so far this season, posting a league-best 4-1 record and a CFL-high +79 point differential. That dominance was particularly on display last Friday in a 30-5 thumping of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and cornerback Patrick Watkins was a huge part of that, recording two interceptions, a sack and five tackles and earning our First Star nod along the way. Here's video of Watkins' best play of the night, an interception he returned 47 yards for a touchdown:

This is a great play by Watkins. He's the deep man in coverage on Saskatchewan receiver Ryan Smith, with linebacker Dexter McCoil playing under. Rookie Rider quarterback Brett Smith thinks he has enough of an opening to get the ball into Smith, but Watkins is able to close on the ball quickly and outduel Smith in the air to grab it. It partly was a poor throw by Smith, as there's no way he should have tried to force that into double coverage, but his receiver did have a chance at it and might have made the play without Watkins' terrific closing effort and skill in the air. He does well on the return, too, seeing the opening up the sideline and taking advantage of blocks from McCoil and Odell Willis.

Watkins' interception here was crucial for the Eskimos, too. While this wound up as a lopsided 30-5 demolition, it was only 10-4 at the half, and the score was 13-5 before this play with just over five minutes left in the third quarter. Smith looked to be finding his footing, and with a few more passes on that drive, he might have put Saskatchewan in position to tie the game with a touchdown and a two-point convert. Instead, Watkins was able to not only end the Riders' drive, but produce seven points of his own, and the rout was on. The 32-year-old Watkins has been a CFL all-star the past two seasons, and he's a big part of an Edmonton defence that's allowed a league-low 63 points to date. He'll be a player to watch when the Eskimos take on the B.C. Lions Thursday night (10 p.m. Eastern, TSN/ESPN2). Maybe he'll even produce another highlight-reel pick.