Here we go again. Two weeks after the BC Lions delivered a 52-23 beatdown, they're set to face a struggling Calgary Stampeders team again.
This time, the stakes are much higher. The winner of this game will be in the driver's seat for 2nd in the West, and the home playoff game that comes with it.
Will BC continue to roll?
Or, will the Calgary Stampeders finally snap out of their slump?
You'll have to tune in Saturday to find out, but here are a couple of things to watch for.
The Calgary Stampeder Defense
The Stamps' defense has proven two paradoxical things:
- They can be the best defense in the CFL
- They can be one of the worst defenses in the CFL
Which Calgary Stampeder defense will show up? Because the answer to that question will go a long way towards determining who wins the game.
The one from the last three weeks:
- 40 points per game allowed
- Zero Takeaways
Or, the one from just a couple of weeks ago:
- 1st in the CFL in points allowed, 2-and-out percentage, passing yards, and big plays allowed.
BC Lions Defense
The story of the BC Lions' defense has been almost the opposite.
During their current three-game winning streak, they've allowed a respectable 24 points per game.
The six games before that, they allowed an unsustainable 35.3 per game.
The Lions' defense did a great job containing the Stamps' offense two weeks ago. They will need a similar performance if they hope to beat them a second time.
Battle of the QBs
Last year, the BC Lions made he decision to stick with Nathan Rourke. That made Vernon Adams Jr. expendable. That led to his trade to Calgary. And, with both teams in the running for a home playoff game, that decision seems like a win-win.
However, in the first head-to-head matchup between the two, Rourke clearly got the better of the matchup.
Nathan Rourke
- 20/24
- 331 yards
- 2 TD
- 0 INT
Vernon Adams Jr.
- 11/16
- 125 yards
- 0 TD
- 2 INT
The most shocking part of the first matchup between the BC Lions and the Calgary Stampeders was the ease with which Rourke picked Calgary apart. At the time, the Stamps boasted the top defense in the league, yet they couldn't even slow Rourke down.
On the other side, the Lions had lots of success against Vernon Adams Jr. His two early INTs set the tone of the game. He did make his share of big plays, but it wasn't nearly enough to make up the gap.
Whichever team gets more out of their QB this week has a great chance of ending the day in 2nd place in the West Division.
Game Information
Location: BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia
Date and Time: Saturday, October 4th, 7:00 pm ET
Broadcast: TSN and CFL+