Game Day: Redblacks at Argonauts
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OTTAWA REDBLACKS (2-5) at TORONTO ARGONAUTS (4-3)
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Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. BMO Area
TV: TSN1; Radio: 1050 AM (Toronto), TSN 1200 (Ottawa)
Line: Toronto by 8.5 factors
Climate: Partly cloudy, 16C; 20% probability of rain; wind 10 km/h
STATSPACK
TOROTT
PER GAME AVERAGES
(LEAGUE RANKINGS)
POINTS FOR
20.3. (sixth) 17.3 (ninth)
POINTS AGAINST
24.6 (sixth) 29.0 (ninth)
YARDS RUSH
89.6 (fifth) 77.1 (seventh)
YARDS PASS
276.7 (third) 211.1 (eighth)
NET YARDS
347.9 (4th) 270.6 (eighth)
YARDS ALLOWED
351.0 (sixth) 384.0 (ninth)
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
DOUBLE D
Ottawa return specialist DeVonte Dedmon is the Redblacks’ most explosive participant, a dynamic returner who’s utilized in all sides of the return recreation. Each time he touches the soccer, there’s the potential for an enormous play. Toronto’s particular groups, whereas improved, allowed Hamilton’s Frankie Williams to return a punt for a significant within the Labour Day recreation. Boris Bede’s directional punting will likely be key for the Argos.
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WORTHY OF ATTENTION
Chandler Worthy of the Argonauts hasn’t produced a return main, however he’s greater than succesful, a speedster whose means to make downfield performs has allowed the Argos to increase their playbook. Worthy has good chemistry with QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, the 2 signing with the Argos in 2017. MBT attached with Worthy for a late opening half rating in Toronto’s 30-27 win over Montreal on Sept. 24.
QB2
This would be the second straight begin for Redblacks quarterback Caleb Evans, who received the decision final week in his CFL debut. Ottawa wanted a spark, and Evans delivered by tossing three landing passes, whereas throwing zero interceptions. Nonetheless, there’s now movie on the athletic Evans, who could make performs out of the pocket. Defensive advisor Chris Jones will make the requires the Argos, who might want to preserve Evans contained within the pocket.
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A REAL PIP
Antonio Pipkin will gown for the second time as Bethel-Thompson’s backup. MBT makes his second straight begin hoping to guide the Boatmen to a second successive win, which might be a primary this season. Pipkin can put stress on Ottawa’s defence due to his operating means. MBT accomplished solely two second-half passes in opposition to Montreal.
MASTER MIND
Mike Benevides attended Central Tech and at all times enjoys his return journeys to Toronto. This time, he’ll be again as Ottawa’s defensive co-ordinator. Ottawa’s defence has been the workforce’s energy, however it has been on the sphere far too lengthy. It seemingly will carry stress in opposition to MBT, who isn’t identified for his mobility.
NOTEWORTHY
Toronto’s 1991 Gray Cup workforce will likely be honoured on an evening when the primary 2,000 followers in attendance will obtain a duplicate of the membership’s championship sweater. Present workforce members will put on the throwback “A” helmet design … MBT was underneath centre in 2019 when the Argos ended their residence schedule with back-to-back wins over Ottawa. He’s conscious of the challenges Ottawa’s defence will current; “I’ll let you know what, (they’ve) a very good defence. They’re an entire defence, a robust entrance, a again finish that performs fairly cohesively after which (Micah) Awe at WILL and 42 (Avery Williams) at MIKE sort of flying round, particularly Awe’s fairly quick. We don’t know precisely what we’re going to see Wednesdayt, which is regarding. We received to indicate up with our A recreation.” … Awe performed for the Argos in 2019, a season marred by damage … Cleyon Laing and Anthony Coombs each broke into the CFL with the Argos; throughout his six-year run, Laing recorded 33 sacks, which is kind of spectacular given he performs at sort out, whereas Coombs performed 5 seasons in Toronto, incomes a Gray Cup win in 2017 when the Argos upset Calgary in Ottawa.
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THE KEY MATCHUP
Redblacks LB Don Unamba vs. Argos RB D.J. Foster
Unamba is a playmaker on defence who appears to be at all times across the soccer. He recorded a season-high 9 tackles in Ottawa’s win over Edmonton, recording one particular groups sort out and forcing a fumble. He’s very aggressive, at instances too aggressive, however he’s one participant the Argos should account for, particularly on passing downs. Foster could be very efficient within the passing recreation. He’ll must be on level when Unamba is utilized in blitz packages. The important thing for Ottawa is to cease the Argos’ run recreation and make them one-dimensional.
OUR TAKE: Argos 29, Redblacks 16
The one recreation of movie on Ottawa QB Caleb Evans will serve Toronto defensive advisor Chris Jones properly as he dials up schemes to get to the inexperienced quarterback and pressure fast throws; if Ottawa can’t run the ball, Jones will throw every kind of seems in protection; so long as the Argos don’t yield explosive performs, they need to win. What the Argos can’t do is take Ottawa as a right. This can be a massive recreation for the Argos as they attempt to create separation within the East standings.