CFL Week 5 Preview

Article by Duncan Gray

 

Game of the Week

Friday night's late game features two teams who have 2 & 1 records, Toronto Argonauts are at BC Lions.

Toronto started the season with two wins and have had the week off to regroup after their defeat by the Stampeders. Their star quarterback Ricky Ray still isn't ready to return from injury but that's not a problem. With nine touchdowns and only two interceptions, Trevor Harris as stand in is maintaining the highest QB rating in the league. Interviewed this week he says he's determined to learn from mistakes he made in the loss and was talking up his favourite receiver Tori Gurley.
The Lions have won two straight games but they've both been against Saskatchewan, the only team without a win this season. The home game with Toronto is an opportunity to boost their ranking and prove they'll be contenders this season. The defence will have to step up though, they're pretty well last in every category of the stats so far

 

This week's TV Schedule   Calgary Stampeders at Ottawa REDBLACKS – LIVE Saturday Morning July 25, 0:00 hrs - BT Sport 2 repeat Saturday afternoon 16:00 hrs – BT ESPN Toronto Argonauts at BC Lions – LIVE Saturday Morning July 25, 03:00 hrs - BT Sport 2 repeat Saturday evening 18:30 hrs – BT ESPN Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Edmonton Eskimos – Recorded Monday morning 27 July, 06:30 hrs – BT Sport ESPN Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Saskatchewan Roughriders - Recorded Tuesday Afternoon 28 July, 17:30 hrs – BT Sport ESPN

 

 

The other games

 

Calgary Stampeders have the best record in the league at 3&1. With injuries continually affecting their offensive line they haven't been convincing though, two of their wins having been by just one point. A plus last week was running back Jon Cornish producing the sort of yardage we expect from him for the first time this season. Ottawa REDBLACKS (2&2) have slumped since opening with two wins. Their defence are playing well though, they held Edmonton to only one touchdown in week 4 and Henry Burris is still a reliable quarterback.

 

Saturday's game is an important West Division match up between Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2&2) and Edmonton Eskimos (2&1). Winnipeg were unlucky to lose in Calgary last week, essentially by one missed extra point. After their running attack impressed early in the season their passing has provided the recent highlighst. Drew Willy threw two touchdowns of over 75 yards last week to Clarence Denmark and Darvin Adams. The Esks weren't so exciting, they had to rely on field goals for their. win, but watch for Rookie running back Shakir Bell looking to build on his sensational debut of  last week.

 

Playing their fourth straight away game, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1&2) are at Saskatchewan Roughriders (0&4) on Sunday night. Hamilton have been struggling for consistency. Last week's loss at Montreal was particularly disappointing and they'll be desperate not to fall behind their East Division rivals. The Roughriders will be even more desperate for the win though. They are already falling behind in their division and a third straight home loss would make their failures an even bigger media story than they already are. Despite the results, the Riders offence has gained more yards than any other team while the Ti-Cats have conceded the least yards. It' s an unpredictable one, even the bookies haven't chosen a favourite.

 

Montreal Alouttes have the bye this week.