CFL Gameday: British Columbia at Edmonton (August 19)

For the BC Lions, their trip to Edmonton couldn't come at a better time, the Eskimos, banged up with injuries no longer quite resembled the team that dominated the early part of the CFL season.  If the Lions are ever to get that much desired second win of the season, this surely would be the week.

Still, you have to think that the Eskimos will be anxious to turn around their two game losing skid, patchwork line up or not.  The key for Edmonton will be to provide Ricky Ray with some time, offering up the opportunity for pass routes to develop and receivers to work their way open.  That was the downfall of the last two weeks, as the Eskimo quarterback found that opposing defences had found a way to slow down what previously had been a pretty impressive offensive group, reducing the time for Ray's plays to develop should be the focus of the Lions defence on Friday.

As far as the Lions offence goes, Travis Lulay is said to be the one heading out to lead the offence, despite his removal from the Lions loss to Winnipeg last week, while Jarious Jackson found success in a relief effort, Wally Buono seems determined to return to Lulay, his designated starting quarterback this year.

However, should the Lions falter again, one would expect that Buono may not have much rope to let out before he give Jackson another crack at moving the Lions downfield.

The stakes are significantly higher for the Lions, than the Eskimos on Friday. While they most likely would rather get back into a winning mood, the Esks probably can afford to lose another two points at this point in the season, close as they are to their provincial rivals the Stamps atop the CFL West.

The Lions on the other hand, need the two points desperately, partly for a point of momentum and of course as a way of keeping up with the Argos, who grabbed two points on Thursday at the expense of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

At this point the Lions are in a three way race (such as it is) for the final playoff spot, whether earned in the West or through the crossover method with the east, a win would go a long ways to help them keep pace, a loss, well it just makes an already desperate situation nearly critical.

Game Time 7 PM MT (6PM PT, 9 ET) 

Pre Game

Edmonton Journal-- Newcomers hope to turn window of opportunity into full-time gig with Eskimos
Edmonton Sun-- Porter back in harness for Esks
Vancouver Province-- Tillman - the CFL's Mister Fix-It
Vancouver Sun-- Desperate times for Lions, Eskimos
Globe and Mail-- Wounded Eskimos retool for Lions clash



Quick Snaps British Columbia Lions
Quick Snaps Edmonton Eskimos


Post Game


British Columbia 36 at Edmonton 1
Attendance-- 36,216


Globe and Mail-- Lions pound on wounded Eskimos
Vancouver Province--  Standout effort sees B. C. Lions devour Eskimos in Edmonton
Vancouver Sun-- Lulay tosses four TDs as Lions trounce Eskimos
Edmonton Sun-- Esks stink out the joint
Edmonton Journal-- Lions claw Eskimos 36-1 at Commonwealth

CFL Gameday: Saskatchewan at Toronto (August 18, 2011)

As we move into the third week of August, week eight of the CFL season, the carnage of the bottom dwellers of the CFL resembles some of the scenes from the Mad Max movies of days gone by.

In this case, with a Thursday night match up between cellar dwellers on the horizon, we'll use the Beyond Thunder Dome analogy, (all be it without the crowds that Tina Turner frequently featured) two teams enter, one team leaves...

With equal records of 1-6, the Argos and Riders will seek to find something to build on Thursday, night the winner perhaps gaining the edge in the snails race for a crossover playoff spot, the loser... well one imagines a change will be a comin' to the team that fails to collect the W.

Despite the last terrible six weeks, hope it seems is on the side of the Argos, who spurred on by their performance last week against their ancient rivals the TiCats, seem to be believing that better days are on the  way.

And with Cleo Lemon having his best game as an Argo last weekend, there may be some basis to that positive vibe coming out of the Argo camp this week, the same however can't be said for the visiting Riders.

The Saskatchewan fan base is furrowing it's brow and not holding back on their concern over the fate of their beloved Riders, the media featuring frequent articles and observations on the mood of the Riders, the apparent frustration and confusion as to how they've come to hold a 1-6 record, unacceptable for a team that the last two years was but one win away from hoisting the Grey Cup.

Thursday night at Rogers Centre, two teams enter, by the time sixty minutes of football is over, there will be one team ready to build and perhaps one team ready to tear down and start over.

Game Time 7:30 PM ET (5:30 ST, 4:30 ET)

Pre Game

Toronto Sun--  Bottom line? Argos need a victory
Toronto Star-- Rough ride in Saskatchewan
Globe and Mail-- Argos' Lemon eyes third straight 300 yard game
National Post-- Argos' Lemon heeds coach's warning
Regina Leader Post-- Riders in the race for last place
Canada.com-- With Reymond Willis sidelined, R. J. Roberts finally gets his chance with team


Quick Snaps Saskatchewan Roughriders
Quick Snaps Toronto Argonauts

Post Game

Saskatchewan 18 at Toronto 24
Attendance-- 20,482


Globe and Mail-- Argos thwart Riders' comeback
National Post-- Argos hold off the Riders
Toronto Star-- Argos barely hang on for victory
Canada.com-- Riders' comeback comes up short against Argos

CFL Regular Season Week 8

The CFL heads into the first of two bye weeks, providing a respite from the rigours of CFL life for the players and coaches of Winnipeg, Calgary, Montreal and Hamilton.

A one week break, to scatter off to home towns, the lake or just hang around town, but forget about football.

For the Lions, Eskimos, Argos and Riders however it's business as usual and for all four week eight marks a pivotal moment for their future ambitions, especially for BC, Saskatchewan and Toronto who all have ambitions to close in on the final playoff spot..

The Eskimos on the other hand are seeking to stem a sudden losing skid and keep pace with their provincial rivals the Stampeders, while the Lions, Riders and Argos all seek to somehow find success where none has been found in recent weeks.

Two nights of football which will unfold as thus:

Thursday, August 18-- Saskatchewan 18 at Toronto 24 (A-- 20,482)
Friday, August 19-- British Columbia 36 at Edmonton 1 (A--35,216)

Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners

Toronto
Edmonton


Weekly Record-- 1 - 1
Overall Record-- 15 -- 30