For the second week in a row the British Columbia Lions are involved in a battle of first place teams, based mainly on the strength of their convincing victory over the Montreal Alouettes last week.
The Lions were dominant last week, making life miserable for the Alouettes, especially quarterback Anthony Calvillo, the Als loss gave the Argos a chance to climb into first on their own, a perch they took and now bring to Vancouver for the showdown of division leaders.
The Lions have been firing on most of their cylinders for the majority of the season, a few setbacks here and there for the most part haven't been fatal and thus far in 2012, the Lions are clearly the top of the pack and full value for their record of 7 and 3.
And while statistically they are tied for first in the West with Calgary, Saturday's game brings both squads even in Games Played and a victory will once again provide a two point cushion for the Leos over the Stamps.
Toronto has been looking better and better as the season moves on, the two big victories over the Tiger Cats surrounding the Labour Day portion of the schedule has been instrumental to their climb up the CFL division standings in the east.
At 6 and 4 the Argos are currently tied with the Alouettes for first in the east, secure that the bottom sector of the division most likely won't be providing much of a challenge this year, making first place a race between Montreal and Toronto.
Ricky Ray's comfort zone is getting larger with his new team, a running game has suddenly become part of the Argo attack though Chad Kackert won't be in the line up on Saturday owing to a leg injury.
On special teams, Chad Owens has fans on the edge of their seats with every return, one is never sure if we're about to see a spectacular return for the highlight reel with each kick, at some point we imagine CFL punters will be making good use of sideline placement rather than run the risk.
For the Lions it's been all about Travis Lulay, the Lions QB is clearly staking his turf as one of the league's top QB's this year, his work against Montreal last week particularly effective, putting the Als on their heels frequently.
It no doubt will be a trend he hopes to reprise when the Argos take to the BC Place field on Saturday.
Game Time 4 PM PT, 7 ET, BC Place Stadium TSN
Toronto 23 at British Columbia 28 (28,526)
Pre Game
CFL Video Preview
Globe and Mail-- Solomon Elimimian returns to B. C. Lions
National Post-- Argonauts aim to outsmart tricky Lions
Toronto Sun-- Could we see an Argos-Lions Braley Bunch Grey Cup?
Toronto Star-- Toronto Argos tackle B. C. Lions without Chad Kackert
Vancouver Province-- Chapdelaine's philosophy a winner for B. C. Lions
Vancouver Sun-- Lions welcome back Solomon Elimimian, but Adam Bighill still...
Team Backgrounders
Toronto Argonauts
British Columbia Lions
Post Game
CFL.ca-- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights
Globe and Mail-- Lions hold on to beat Argos
National Post-- Argos fall yards short of victory against Lions
Toronto Sun-- Penalties continue to cost Argos
Toronto Star-- Toronto Argos lose to B. C. Lions 28-23
Vancouver Province-- Lions in giving mood, but take the win
Vancouver Sun-- Lions maintain master over East teams with 28-23 win over Argos
Three downs, a bigger ball, wider field and a lot more entertainment! The world of Canadian Football.
Showing posts with label CFL Game Day September 15. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CFL Game Day September 15. Show all posts
Saturday, September 15, 2012
CFL Game Day: Edmonton at Hamilton (September 15)
Two teams that have been struggling over the last few weeks meet up in Hamilton on Saturday, of the two the Tiger Cats perhaps in need of a win and some positive movement more so than their guests from Alberta.
Hamilton has had a season to forget thus far in their farewell to Ivor Wynne, far too many games given away by miscues, high profile off season acquisitions still struggling to find their niche in the Tiger Cat game plan as we head towards Thanksgiving.
It wasn't supposed to be this way when George Cortez crossed over the bridge from Buffalo, the Cats were a team on the rise in the CFL, those new names on the back a sign that ownership was dedicated to making the final year in the old yard a memorable one, so fart it's been memorable but for all the wrong reasons with a record of 3-7.
Key to the Tiger Cats success this weekend will be Henry Burris finding a strong game and his high profile stable of receivers rising up to the challenge ahead, of course all of that will be for nought should the defence continue to struggle, only Winnipeg has worse defensive numbers so far in 2012, an indication as to why the Bombers and Cats dwell near the bottom of the CFL standings.
Over in Edmonton, the season has probably been a pleasant surprise, yet with accomplishment in August has come disappointment through September, a pair of losses to the arch rival Stampeders no doubt sticking the most in the craw of any true Eskimo fan.
Still at 5 and 5 heading into week 12, Eskimo fans are probably hopeful that the early success of the Esks can be recaptured heading into the playoff drive, something that no doubt few thought would be on their minds when the season started.
Kerry Joseph has been tapped to get the start once again, Joseph the aging CFL veteran had two strong games against the Stamps in the Labour Day back to backs, he kept his team in the running for victories in both, it was mental and on field errors from other departments that made the folks in Calgary happy, addressing those struggles is no doubt what Kavis Reed has been working on leading up to week 12.
The Saturday match up with Hamilton could be pivotal to the Eskimo playoff plans, with the strength of the West over Eastern teams so far in 2012, a crossover playoff berth seems destined for whichever Western team finishes fourth.
A victory over Hamilton Saturday most likely would add to the Eskimos side of the ledger should that be their required path to the post season.
Game Time 3 PM ET, 1 MT, Noon PT, Ivor Wynne Stadium TSN
Edmonton 8 at Hamilton 51 (24,162)
Pre Game
CFL Video Preview
Globe and Mail-- Tiger-Cats look to break out of tailspin against Eskimos
National Post-- Eskimos weary of Ivor Wynne stadium ahead of date with Ticats
Hamilton Spectator-- Ticats not out of it yet, but ...
Toronto Sun-- Tiger-Cats in quite some 'rut'
Edmonton Journal-- Edmonton Eskimos trade for Tiger-Cats fullback
Edmonton Sun-- Ivor Wynne a homey atmosphere for Eskimos' Jerome Messam
Team Backgrounders
Edmonton Eskimos
Hamilton Tiger Cats
Post Game
CFL.ca- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights
Globe and Mail-- Burris keys Ticats' rout of Eskimos
National Post-- Ticats show brute strength in rout of Eskimos
Hamilton Spectator-- Ticats destroy Eskimos 51-8 (no, that's not a misprint)
Toronto Sun-- Tiger-Cats crush Eskimos 51-8
Edmonton Journal-- Blocked field goal proves to be turning point in Tiger-Cats rout of Eskimos
Edmonton Sun-- Tiger-Cats crush Eskimos 51-8
Hamilton has had a season to forget thus far in their farewell to Ivor Wynne, far too many games given away by miscues, high profile off season acquisitions still struggling to find their niche in the Tiger Cat game plan as we head towards Thanksgiving.
It wasn't supposed to be this way when George Cortez crossed over the bridge from Buffalo, the Cats were a team on the rise in the CFL, those new names on the back a sign that ownership was dedicated to making the final year in the old yard a memorable one, so fart it's been memorable but for all the wrong reasons with a record of 3-7.
Key to the Tiger Cats success this weekend will be Henry Burris finding a strong game and his high profile stable of receivers rising up to the challenge ahead, of course all of that will be for nought should the defence continue to struggle, only Winnipeg has worse defensive numbers so far in 2012, an indication as to why the Bombers and Cats dwell near the bottom of the CFL standings.
Over in Edmonton, the season has probably been a pleasant surprise, yet with accomplishment in August has come disappointment through September, a pair of losses to the arch rival Stampeders no doubt sticking the most in the craw of any true Eskimo fan.
Still at 5 and 5 heading into week 12, Eskimo fans are probably hopeful that the early success of the Esks can be recaptured heading into the playoff drive, something that no doubt few thought would be on their minds when the season started.
Kerry Joseph has been tapped to get the start once again, Joseph the aging CFL veteran had two strong games against the Stamps in the Labour Day back to backs, he kept his team in the running for victories in both, it was mental and on field errors from other departments that made the folks in Calgary happy, addressing those struggles is no doubt what Kavis Reed has been working on leading up to week 12.
The Saturday match up with Hamilton could be pivotal to the Eskimo playoff plans, with the strength of the West over Eastern teams so far in 2012, a crossover playoff berth seems destined for whichever Western team finishes fourth.
A victory over Hamilton Saturday most likely would add to the Eskimos side of the ledger should that be their required path to the post season.
Game Time 3 PM ET, 1 MT, Noon PT, Ivor Wynne Stadium TSN
Edmonton 8 at Hamilton 51 (24,162)
Pre Game
CFL Video Preview
Globe and Mail-- Tiger-Cats look to break out of tailspin against Eskimos
National Post-- Eskimos weary of Ivor Wynne stadium ahead of date with Ticats
Hamilton Spectator-- Ticats not out of it yet, but ...
Toronto Sun-- Tiger-Cats in quite some 'rut'
Edmonton Journal-- Edmonton Eskimos trade for Tiger-Cats fullback
Edmonton Sun-- Ivor Wynne a homey atmosphere for Eskimos' Jerome Messam
Team Backgrounders
Edmonton Eskimos
Hamilton Tiger Cats
Post Game
CFL.ca- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights
Globe and Mail-- Burris keys Ticats' rout of Eskimos
National Post-- Ticats show brute strength in rout of Eskimos
Hamilton Spectator-- Ticats destroy Eskimos 51-8 (no, that's not a misprint)
Toronto Sun-- Tiger-Cats crush Eskimos 51-8
Edmonton Journal-- Blocked field goal proves to be turning point in Tiger-Cats rout of Eskimos
Edmonton Sun-- Tiger-Cats crush Eskimos 51-8
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