Costabile: 3 storylines to observe in Week 15
There’s solely three CFL video games this weekend, however that doesn’t imply there’s any much less pleasure throughout the nation.
Issues begin on Friday evening when the BC Lions welcome the Toronto Argonauts to BC Place. Then Saturday’s doubleheader begins in Hamilton because the Tiger-Cats welcome the Ottawa REDBLACKS and this yr’s Canadian Soccer Corridor of Fame inductees. The week finishes in Calgary when the Montreal Alouettes step foot into McMahon Stadium to tackle the Stampeders.
This week we’re talkin’ playoffs, a working again who might hit the 1,000-yard mark and a quarterback returning after being moved to No. 2 final week.
Right here is one storyline to observe in every matchup.
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HE’S HIM.
Toronto at BC | Friday, September 13 | 10:00 p.m. ET
William Stanback joined the BC Lions this low season as a free agent and he’s been a superb addition to their offence (understatement).
Heading into Week 15, the 30-year-old wants simply 62 yards to grow to be the primary rusher within the CFL to hit the 1,000-yard mark. When he does go 1,000 yards, it’ll be the primary time he’s achieved so because the 2021 marketing campaign.
Whereas he’s been working the rock nicely this whole yr, his final 5 contests have been even higher. Stanback has totalled 507 dashing yards on 83 carries in his final 5 video games, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. His final two outings, a Week 13 contest towards Ottawa and a Week 14 bout towards his former group, Montreal, noticed the working again complete 20 carries in every, to go together with 93 and 123 yards, respectively. He additionally scored a landing on the bottom in each.
The Lions have clearly dedicated to working the ball and Stanback might want to proceed to be at his greatest this weekend towards Toronto. The Argos are the second-best group within the CFL at defending the run, permitting simply 76.4 yards per recreation on the bottom, and have allowed a league-low eight dashing touchdowns.
PLAYOFFS?! PLAYOFFS.
Ottawa at Hamilton | Saturday, September 14 | 3:00 p.m. ET
Ottawa has an opportunity to punch their ticket to the post-season this weekend with a win towards Hamilton at Tim Hortons Subject.
After profitable simply 14 video games mixed over the past 4 season, the REDBLACKS have dramatically turned issues round. At 8-3-1, Ottawa can enter the playoff dialog for the primary time since 2018 in the event that they take down the Tiger-Cats. It received’t be simple, nevertheless, with the Ticats getting back from a bye feeling fairly good after their OK Tire Labour Day Weekend win towards Toronto two weeks in the past.
Ottawa’s defence feasted final week towards Toronto, tallying six sacks and 4 interceptions, two of which had been returned for touchdowns by Damon Webb. Profiting from a Ticats group that’s second final within the CFL in turnover ratio (-9) shall be key. Bo Levi Mitchell hasn’t thrown an interception in two weeks, however he had thrown seven in his final 5 video games previous to that.
THEY’RE GOING BACK TO JAKE
Montreal at Calgary | Saturday, September 14 | 7:00 p.m. ET
After spending every week on the sidelines, it seems that the Calgary Stampeders are going again to Jake Maier at quarterback.
Head coach Dave Dickenson mentioned the week off was good for Maier, who was taking first group reps on Tuesday, telling the media, “I do really feel like, even when Jake didn’t play final recreation, I felt prefer it may very well be greatest for him simply to have a look from a distinct view level, take a deep breath. He had an excellent apply as we speak.”
In 12 video games, Maier has accomplished 263 passes for two,921 yards (fourth within the CFL), 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Curiously sufficient, Maier is the CFL’s chief in crimson zone completion share and has thrown no interceptions contained in the 20. He’s tossed 12 touchdowns within the crimson zone, with solely Edmonton’s McLeod Bethel-Thompson throwing extra majors deep of their opponent’s finish (13).
Additionally attention-grabbing to notice; Calgary owns the second-least journeys to the crimson zone (32), however they make them rely, scoring 21 touchdowns (tied for third most) on these alternatives.
After throwing 4 interceptions in his final outing, Maier shall be trying to restrict these turnovers towards a turnover-happy Montreal defence as Calgary seeks to snap a four-game slide.