OK Tire Labour Costabile: 4 storylines to look at in Week 14 Day Weekend was every little thing we may have requested for and extra.
With an thrilling week of soccer behind us, we now flip the web page to the stretch run of the season as groups begin to battle for place of their respective divisions with playoffs simply two months away.
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Week 14 must be simply as thrilling as final week with a potential Gray Cup preview between the Montreal Alouettes and BC Lions kicking issues off on Friday, adopted by a tripleheader on Saturday.
The Ottawa REDBLACKS and Toronto Argonauts meet within the nation’s capital, earlier than a pair of Labour Day Weekend rematches (Winnipeg vs. Saskatchewan and Calgary vs. Edmonton) end out the week.
To get you set for the week forward, right here is one storyline to observe in every matchup in Week 14.
SEE YOU IN VANCOUVER IN NOVEMBER?
BC at Montreal | Friday, September 6 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Is that this a possible 111th Gray Cup matchup? Properly, in line with the CFL Simulation, BC in opposition to Montreal is the most probably one to occur with a 25.50% likelihood. What a enjoyable sport it could be if that was the case.
The BC Lions received again on observe final week of their Landing Pacific win in opposition to the REDBLACKS, snapping a five-game slide. Nathan Rourke regarded extra just like the Nathan Rourke we noticed in 2022 in his third-straight begin. He accomplished 21 of 30 passes for 325 yards and scored 4 whole touchdowns, three by way of the air and one on the bottom, to associate with only one interception.
Montreal is getting back from a bye this week and have locked up a playoff spot already. At 10-1, the Alouettes are unquestionably the perfect workforce within the CFL proper now with a sizzling offence and ever-dangerous defence. They’ll be trying to maintain issues rolling with a win at dwelling in opposition to the Leos who’re making an attempt to maintain tempo within the tight West Division.
Week 14’s opener is a must-watch, particularly if it does find yourself being a preview of the ultimate sport of the 2024 season in November at BC Place.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
Toronto at Ottawa | Saturday, September 7 | 1:00 p.m. ET
The Ottawa REDBLACKS are the one workforce that has not misplaced at dwelling but this season. At TD Place, Ottawa has gone 5-0-1, the one non-win being a tie in opposition to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 10.
This week, they welcome within the Toronto Argonauts. Toronto nearly defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats within the Labour Day Traditional final week. Their late-game push wasn’t sufficient to get the win, nonetheless. Ottawa, then again, fell to the BC Lions on OK Tire Labour Day Weekend, scoring simply 12 factors on the day.
The Argos sit simply three factors again (6-5) on the Ottawa REDBLACKS (7-3-1) which makes this matchup necessary for each groups. Toronto will wish to shut the hole on Ottawa. The REDBLACKS will wish to maintain the Argos at bay.
House area benefit ought to play an element on this one. Toronto has gained only one sport on the street this season (1-4) and, as talked about, Ottawa hasn’t misplaced in their very own constructing but.
TREVOR HARRIS VS. WINNIPEG DEFENCE
Saskatchewan at Winnipeg | Saturday, September 7 | 3:00 p.m. ET
Since getting back from harm, Trevor Harris has been very productive for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. In his three video games again on the sector, he’s had a pair of outings with 300+ passing yards, together with 368 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in opposition to the Bombers final week.
He’ll have to be on the prime of his sport once more this week going in opposition to that powerful Bombers defence in hostile territory within the Labour Day rematch.
Winnipeg’s defence is permitting the fewest passing yards per sport (234.6) and is tied with Montreal for the least factors allowed per sport (21.1). Additionally they have 44 knockdowns on the season, good for second within the CFL.
With issues so shut within the West Division, each groups know this sport is a crucial one. The Bombers will wish to keep atop the West whereas Saskatchewan, who’re only one level behind Winnipeg, will wish to make up floor in addition to snap their six-game winless streak.
WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE, WIN THE GAME
Calgary at Edmonton | Saturday, September 7 | 7:00 p.m. ET
There’s loads of explanation why the Edmonton Elks have gained 4 of their final 5 contests, however the statistic that stands out to me is their turnover ratio.
They’re second within the CFL with a +10, simply behind the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who’re at +16. Their 26 whole turnovers are additionally second to the Riders as are their 15 interceptions, only one behind Saskatchewan’s 16.
Final week of their OK Tire Labour Day contest in opposition to the Stampeders, the Elks had been capable of decide off Jake Maier 4 occasions on their strategy to victory. Defensive backs Loucheiz Purifoy and Devodric Bynum had a pair of interceptions every. Together with the picks, a turnover on downs late within the sport helped Edmonton decisively win the turnover battle 5-0.
Now heading dwelling to Commonwealth Stadium, with the identical variety of factors as their Alberta rivals (eight), Edmonton has an opportunity to leapfrog into fourth place with a victory.