The Argos hit the road looking to shake off a shootout hangover against a Winnipeg team that's finding ways to win ugly.
Game Details
- Matchup: Toronto Argonauts at Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- When: Friday, July 10 at 8:30 PM ET
- Where: Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg
- TV: TSN
- Stream: Watch live on CFL+
Odds
- Spread: Toronto Argonauts -2
- Moneyline: Toronto Argonauts -142, Winnipeg Blue Bombers +120
- Over/Under: 60
Toronto sits 2-2 against the spread this season but the over has hit in all four of their games — this offense doesn't do "boring." Winnipeg is 1-2-1 ATS with the total splitting evenly at 2-2, a fair reflection of a team that's had to win a few slugfests and lose a few too.
Overview
Both clubs arrive at 2-2, but they got there in completely different ways. The Argonauts have been a fireworks show — 150 points scored, 153 allowed, and their last outing was an absolute track meet where Vernon Adams Jr. and Calgary torched them for 58 points in a 36-58 loss. Before that meltdown, Toronto had ripped off back-to-back wins over Saskatchewan and Ottawa, scoring 40 and 44 points respectively. This team can move the ball with anybody. Whether it can stop anybody is the real question heading into Winnipeg. The Blue Bombers are the polar opposite. They've scored fewer points than anyone else with a winning record, sitting at just 89 for the year, but they find ways to win the close ones. Their 14-13 escape over Hamilton last week came despite getting outgained 301-224, with backup Taylor Elgersma stepping in after injuries to Zach Collaros and Bo Levi Mitchell went down on Hamilton's side. That's a shaky quarterback situation for Winnipeg to be dealing with against a Toronto offense that's averaging 37.5 points a game.
The number says Toronto by 2, and that lines up with what's on tape. Chad Kelly and this Argos passing attack should be able to move the ball on a Winnipeg defense that's been stingy on the scoreboard but not exactly dominant underneath. The concern for Toronto is the same one that's dogged them all year — can the defense get enough stops to keep this from turning into another track meet where the wrong team runs out of gas first? If Winnipeg's banged-up quarterback situation holds them under 20 points again, the Argos should have enough offense to cover and then some.
Key Players
- Chad Kelly (Toronto Argonauts, QB) — Sitting at 98-of-141 for 1,484 yards and 12 touchdowns, Kelly's been one of the league's most productive passers even through the ugly Calgary loss.
- Kevin Mital (Toronto Argonauts, WR) — 19 catches for 349 yards, and his big-play ability against zone coverage could be the difference if Winnipeg leans on its secondary depth.
- Brady Oliveira (Winnipeg Blue Bombers, RB) — 306 rushing yards on the ground, Oliveira is still the engine that has to carry a Winnipeg offense breaking in a new quarterback.
- Jake Ceresna (Winnipeg Blue Bombers, DL) — Anchors a Winnipeg front that's kept opponents out of the end zone even when the offense hasn't held up its end.
- Damonte Coxie (Toronto Argonauts, WR) — A steady boundary threat who Kelly leans on to move the chains against physical corners.
Keys to the Game
- Toronto's defense has to find answers early — giving up 58 points last week can't become a habit against a team that thrives on field position and short fields.
- The Argos need Samuel Hicks to keep the run game honest so Kelly isn't forced into obvious passing downs against a Winnipeg pass rush that gets home.
- With Winnipeg's quarterback situation uncertain behind Collaros, Toronto should attack early and force a young or backup arm to try to keep pace.
Injury Report
| Player | Team | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Chatfield (DL) | Toronto Argonauts | Available |
| Ryan Hunter (OL) | Toronto Argonauts | Available |
| Cameron Judge (LB) | Toronto Argonauts | Out |
| Adarius Pickett (DB) | Toronto Argonauts | Available |
| Makai Polk (WR) | Toronto Argonauts | Available |
| Dakoda Shepley (OL) | Toronto Argonauts | Questionable |
| Nolan Ulm (WR) | Toronto Argonauts | Out |
Depth Chart
Toronto Argonauts starters by position, built from the Toronto Argonauts depth-chart data provided. This is a projected chart and may not reflect mid-season changes.
| Position | Toronto Argonauts |
|---|---|
| QB | Chad Kelly, Nick Arbuckle, Tucker Horn |
| RB | Sam Hicks, Isaiah Smith |
| FB | Jack Cassar, Sebastian Parsalidis |
| WR (Boundary) | Damonte Coxie |
| WR (Field) | Dave Ungerer III |
| SB | Makai Polk, Kevin Mital, Tyler Kahmann / Janarion Grant |
| LT | Desmond Bland |
| LG | Ryan Hunter |
| C | Peter Nicastro, Domenico Piazza |
| RG | Dakoda Shepley, Keegan O'Neil |
| RT | Brandon Kemp |
| DE | Da'Marcus Johnson / Andrew Chatfield, Jeremiah Ojo / Jonathan Kongbo |
| DT | Jalen Bell / Sonae Toia, Paris Shand / Ralph Holley |
| LB | Jalen Rayam / Owen Goss, Darius McKenzie / Brian Harelimana / Isaac Darkangelo, Derek Slywka / Adarius Pickett |
| CB | Benjie Franklin, Tarvarus McFadden / Louis-Philippe Gauthier |
| HB | James Ceasar, DaShaun Amos |
| S | Bubba Bolden / Ethan John |
| K/P | Lirim Hajrullahu, John Haggerty |
| LS | Adam Guillemette |
Score Prediction
Toronto Argonauts 31 - Winnipeg Blue Bombers 29. This one plays out as another shootout-lite, with Kelly finding enough big plays through the air to answer whatever Oliveira and Winnipeg's ground game can muster, and Toronto's offense proving just a hair better when it matters in the fourth quarter.
CFL Standings | Full Schedule | League Leaders
Who takes this one? Drop your prediction in the comments.