The BC Lions can greatly improve their playoff chances with a critical win against Toronto, who they currently would take the crossover spot and enter the East Division in the playoffs if the season ended today. BC is coming off a big 52-23 win over Calgary, while Toronto lost last week 19-21 to Montreal.
Game Details:
Date/Location: Friday, September 12 /BC Place, Vancouver, BC
Kickoff Time: 10:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM PT
Channel: TSN (Canada), CFL+ (USA, Global)
Odds:
Spread: B.C. -7 (-114), Toronto +7 (-106)
Moneyline: B.C. -330, Toronto +260
Over/Under: 57.5 (Over -105, Under -115)
B.C. Lions (7-7): The BC Lions are coming off an offensive clinic, routing Calgary 52-23 behind Nathan Rourke’s 5 touchdowns (3 rushing, 2 passing). Rourke completed 25 of 35 passes for 325 yards last week. The Lions are currently tied for third in the West with Winnipeg at 7-7, but Winnipeg holds the tiebreaker.
Toronto Argonauts (5-9): The Toronto Argonauts dropped a close one to Montreal, 21-19, last week. With only 4 games left and 2 games out of a playoff position, this final stretch is critical for the double blue to put some wins together.
Lions’ Keys to the Game
Maintain Offensive Momentum
After putting up 52 points against Calgary, BC should aim to keep the pressure on with a balanced offense and keep the good times rolling as we enter the most important time of year.
Contain the Passing Game
Toronto has relied heavily on Nick Arbuckle’s arm. Toronto has the most passing attempts in the league at 510 while having the fewest rushing attempts at 195.
Make Toronto Abandon the Run, Again
Toronto’s offense has been far less balanced since moving on from Ka’Deem Carey. Last week, Toronto ran only 8 plays in which they handed the ball off to their running backs, which amounted to only 7 yards.
5 Lions to Watch
#96 DE Bradlee Anae
Anae made his CFL debut last week, recording 2 tackles and a sack. He played in the UFL this past season with the Birmingham Stallions, where he had 4 sacks over 8 games and an additional 56 pressures in scenarios working against a blocker by my count, the 2nd highest in the UFL by my tracking. He appeared in 1 preseason game with the San Fransico 49ers this past preseason, recording 2 assisted tackles.
The Lions’ defensive line is looking very formidable with recent acquisitions in addition to Mathieu Betts, who leads the league in sacks at 10.
#98 DE Levi Bell
Bell is another player who played in the UFL this year and will appear in his 4th game for BC. He has 8 tackles over 4 games. He played in 4 games for the Michigan Panthers this past season, recording 4 tackles in a campaign shortened by injury.
#4 WR Keon Hatcher
Hatcher caught all 8 of his targets last week for 147 yards.
#20 RB James Butler
Butler returns from injury after missing last week. He currently leads the league in rushing with 989 yards over 184 carries (5.4 average) with 10 touchdowns.
#9 LB Deontai Williams
Last week, Williams led the team in tackles with 8, including a TFL, and also had a special teams tackle.
Betts had 2 tackles last week and was in on a shared run stop. By my count, he had 6 total pressures last week in the pass rush.
5 Argonauts to Watch
#4 QB Nick Arbuckle
Arbuckle is currently 2nd in the league in passing yards with 4,089 yards over 13 games with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
#15 WR Makai Polk
Polk has 15 receptions for 199 yards and a touchdown over 3 games since returning to the Argos after a stint with the Atlanta Falcons. He had over 1,000 yards receiving last year in his first CFL season.
#18 WR Dejon Brissett
Brissett is currently 13th in receiving yards
#8 LB Cameron Judge
Judged is 6th in the league in tackles with 68 over 14 games, including 3 sacks, and also has 2 interceptions and a touchdown.
#94 DE Andrew Chatfield
Chatfield is tied for third in sacks in the league with 7 and has 37 total tackles.
Injury Report:
Depth Charts:
Score Prediction:
Toronto has a 1 one-dimensional offense, and I believe in balance. I predict BC to win 40-23
