Stampeders look to become first CFL team to clinch home playoff game

On paper, the Als-Stampeders game appears to be a huge mismatch. Calgary has the CFL’s best record and is 7-0 versus East Division competition while Montreal has the league’s worst mark and is a dismal 1-8 against Western clubs.

Calgary leads the CFL in offensive points (29.5 per game) and fewest offensive points allowed (17.2) while Montreal checks in with the league’s worst offence (15.9 points per game) and a defence allowing 28.9 offensive points, second only to Toronto (29.2).

The Stampeders’ receiving corps is hurting, with Kamar Jorden (knee), DaVaris Daniels (collarbone), Eric Rogers (knee) and Reggie Begelton (broken arm) all ailing. Rogers is expected to return soon and there’s hope Daniels might resume playing later in the year but both Jorden and Begelton are out for the rest of the season.

Calgary did sign Chris Matthews, who was the CFL’s top rookie in 2012 when he had 81 catches for 1,192 yards and seven TDs with Winnipeg, this week. He also had four catches for 109 yards and a TD in the Seattle Seahawks’ 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX.

But it’s quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell who makes Calgary’s offence go. Despite the injuries to Calgary’s receiving corps, Mitchell has thrown for 3,927 yards with a CFL-high 29 TDs against just nine interceptions.

Calgary’s offensive line does a very nice job of protecting Mitchell, having allowed just 19 sacks, second only Saskatchewan (16). The Stampeders also boast the league’s top aerial attack (316.7 yards) and are fourth overall in rushing (106.8 yards per game).

Johnny Manziel makes his fifth start this season for Montreal, searching for his first CFL win. The former Heisman Trophy winner threw two TD passes — his first on Canadian soil — in the Alouettes’ 34-29 loss last weekend to Saskatchewan but still finished 9-of-16 passing for 138 yards and was sacked five times.

Protecting the quarterback has been a problem all season for Montreal, which has allowed a CFL-high 53 sacks, 20 more than eighth-ranked Hamilton.

This will be the second meeting of the season between the two teams as Calgary earned a 25-8 home win July 21 to improve to 5-0. Mitchell threw for 292 yards with two TDs and an interception while Rogers had nine catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.

Drew Willy and Matt Shiltz split quarterback duties for Montreal, with Shiltz replacing an injured Willy in the second quarter.

More than two months later, Calgary and Montreal continue to be headed in different directions. The Stampeders will chase a third straight win while the Alouettes look to snap their three-game losing streak.

Prediction: Calgary.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers versus Ottawa Redblacks (Friday night)

At Ottawa, the Redblacks (8-5) can clinch a home playoff game with a win or tie or Toronto loss to B.C. The Redblacks have not played since a 28-15 home victory over Edmonton on Sept. 21 when rookie kicker Lewis Ward hit seven field goals to boost his streak to a CFL-record 37 straight. Winnipeg (7-7) comes off an impressive 30-3 road win over Edmonton as Kevin Fogg forced a fumble, recovered another and had a 71-yard interception return for a TD.

Prediction: Ottawa.

Toronto Argonauts versus B.C. Lions (Saturday night)

At Vancouver, B.C. (6-7) returns to B.C. Place, where the Lions 5-1 this season. The Lions desperately need a win to remain in the West Division playoff picture and erase the memory of last weekend’s 40-10 road loss to Hamilton, which will clinch a home playoff date with a loss by Toronto (3-10). The Argos are 0-6 on the road and would be eliminated from post-season contention with a loss and wins by both Winnipeg and Edmonton.

Prediction: B.C.

Edmonton Eskimos versus Saskatchewan Roughriders (Monday afternoon)

At Regina, the Roughriders (9-5) come in on a roll, having won six of their last seven overall. Last week, Zach Collaros had 394 passing yards — his first 300-yard game this year — against Montreal. The Eskimos (7-7) have dropped two straight and quarterback Mike Reilly, last year’s MVP, has 440 yards passing, one TD and three interceptions over that span. Duke Williams (shoulder), the CFL’s leading receiver, is expected to play for the home side.

Prediction: Saskatchewan.

Last week: 3-1.

Overall: 39-22.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version had Saskatchewan incorrectly listed as the road team against Edmonton.

by Canadian Press

Stampeders look to become first CFL team to clinch home playoff game

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