Elks Cost: 5 causes Edmonton is within the playoff image
Because the season started there seemed to be little hope for the Edmonton Elks to perform a lot of something.
Shedding a string of shut video games early on, quarterback play not the place they hoped it will be after signing veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson and a defence struggling to ascertain their id all resulted in a pair months price of summer time complications worthy of the morning after a Klondike Day bender.
Then, abruptly Jarious Jackson moved to the pinnacle coach function and Tre Ford rescued a pair video games and now the Elks are stunningly again into the West Division playoff image after pulling out wins in 4 of their final 5.
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HOW!? First, let’s not overlook that this IS the CFL in any case. Groups can flip the script in a rush on their opponent and season narrative, however Edmonton has been unable to take action over the past couple of years when struggling in comparable methods, so why now?
Listed below are my 5 greatest theories on methods the Elks have turned it round, a components solid in actual time and one that may simply see them climb right into a playoff sport two months from now.
WEST VS. WEST SUCCESS
Whereas the Elks have solely performed 5 video games in opposition to their division foes, they do have the most effective win proportion of any workforce from the West in opposition to West golf equipment (.600).
Whereas the West is down relative to the East as a lot this season as now we have ever seen since 2001, Edmonton hopping again into the playoff image – albeit on the surface for now – isn’t stunning when you think about they’re heating up in opposition to groups they should beat with the intention to soar into the November do-or-die event.
With 5 of their final six video games in opposition to the West, Edmonton may sneak in if they will preserve profitable two out of each three video games in opposition to their divisional opponents.
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
One take a look at the CFL’s offensive statistics a pair months in the past and you’d discover Edmonton persistently close to the underside of most primary metrics used to entry efficiency. Now? The Elks rank first in factors per sport (29.0), touchdowns scored (38), first downs (267) and even common acquire on speeding performs (5.4).
Maybe the most important turnaround quantity, although, is explosive passing performs the place Edmonton now ranks third behind solely BC and Montreal in cross performs of 30 yards or extra.
SCORE ZONE SUPREMACY
With essentially the most rating zone alternatives within the CFL (41), Edmonton has cashed in to the tune of 31 touchdowns which is TEN higher than the subsequent highest complete (Calgary with 21). Their 83 rating zone performs run is second behind solely BC however the Elks defence have develop into rating zone specialists as effectively by maintaining groups outdoors their 20-yard line permitting simply 59 rating zone snaps for opposing offences, which is second-highest within the league.
BOMBS AWAY!
With a 53.7 yards per punt common, the Edmonton kicking unit has been completely smashing the soccer this season and protection items are serving to seal the deal by sustaining the CFL’s second-best web punt common at 39.4 yards per kick.
Add within the league second-longest kickoff common (69.7 yards per try) and also you rapidly get the sense that particular groups are serving to, not hurting, the Elks. That’s not one thing we’ve been capable of say a lot over the past handful of seasons.
LIMITING TURNOVERS
There may be no quantity extra singularity associated to wins and losses within the fashionable CFL than turnovers. Takeaway and giveaway math is easy; in the event that they get extra possessions, they’ve extra probability to attain factors than your workforce, which normally ends in a excessive common level complete.
The Elks didn’t do job of defending the soccer over the primary two month of 2024, however now they’re second in turnovers made (16) and have break up two very effectively revered golf equipment in Montreal and Saskatchewan for second place in turnover ratio (+10). Jake Maier throwing 4 interceptions actually helps, however with solely two groups within the double digit positives, Edmonton is nearing elite standing at one of many sport’s most important figuring out stats of success.