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BC Lions (7-8) Week 18 Preview vs Calgary Stampeders (4-9-1): Prediction, Depth Chart, Injuries, Odds, Keys to the Game, Player to Watch

The BC Lions are coming off a 29-32 loss in overtime at home last week to host the Calgary Stampeders Friday night. BC had a 16-0 lead heading into the half but was unable to hold on to the lead. Calgary is coming off of their bye week and will need to win their remaining 4 games to have a realistic chance at making the playoffs.

Game Details:

Date/Location: Friday, October 4 /BC Place, Vancouver, BC
Kickoff Time: 10:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM PT
Channel: TSN (Canada), CFL+ (USA, Global)
Odds:Β 

Spread: B.C. -7.5 (-110), Calgary +7.5 (-110)

Moneyline: B.C. -320, Calgary +255

Over/Under

: 53.5 (Over -105, Under -105)

B.C. Lions: It’s been an up-and-down season for the Lions this year. They lost the opener before going on a 5-game win streak, then lost the next 5 games, won 2, and most recently lost the last 2 games. BC currently holds the third and final playoff spot in the West Division with a 1 game lead over Hamilton who is a potential threat to challenge for a crossover playoff position. Edmonton is 2 games behind BC and Calgary is 3 games behind.

Rourke has completed 63.3% of his passes for the Lions over 6 games for 1,363 yards with 4 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Justin McInnis leads the team in receiving and is 2nd in the league with 1,207 yards over 74 receptions and tied for first in touchdowns in the league with 7. Alexander Hollins is 7th in the league in receiving having caught 56 passes for 881 yards and 5 touchdowns.

class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://cflnewshub.com/team/calgary-stampeders/" title="Calgary Stampeders" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="5157">Calgary Stampeders: The Calgary Stampeders are currently on a 6-game winless streak (0-5-1) for the first time since 2004. The last time they went on a 7-game winless streak was in 1977. Calgary is currently in last place in the CFL and 3 games out of a playoff spot with 4 to go but they are still very much alive in the playoff race. After Calgary plays BC they will play Edmonton, then Hamilton, and then Saskatchewan. All of Calgary’s matches remaining are against teams that are in the mix for the final 2 playoff spots in the West so it will be an opportunity to deny them wins.

Jake Maier has completed 72.7% of his passes for 3,354 yards and 18 touchdowns with 12 interceptions so far this season for Calgary.Β 

Lions Keys to the Game

Get Pressure on Jake Maier

BC will want to make Jake Maier uncomfortable. It’s been a rocky season and Calgary’s quarterback will greatly benefit from some stability in pass protection. BE will benefit from chaos in the backfield. There were some games last year against Calgary that saw Mathieu Betts generate a ton of pressure such as when BC hosted Calgary in the playoffs last year and Betts had 8 QB hurries by my count.

-block-heading">Stop Dedrick Mills

Dedrick Mills has been a highly formidable running back in the CFL over the last 3 seasons. This year he averages 5.4 yards per carry. If BC can keep the run game limited for Calgary then this will be a very difficult game for Calgary to win.

Stay Committed to the Run Game

Calgary has by far the most rushing yards allowed per carry at 6.6 which is a full yard more than any other team’s average yards per rush from their opponent. BC’s commitment to the run game has been a massive improvement this year. William Stanback has the most rushes in the league and is 2nd in total rushing yards. So far this season he has 202 rushes for 1,062 yards, 5.3 yards per carry, and 3 touchdowns.

Don’t Force Low-Risk Passing Plays

BC will need some big games from Rourke down the stretch but this one they can likely rely heavily on the run game. The Lions should look to take what the defense gives them in this game and not make high-risk throws that could be intercepted. Take the deep shot only if it is open. Rourke has completed 62.3% of hisΒ 

-block-heading">5 Lions to Watch

#4 WR Keon Hatcher

Hatcher has seen 15 targets come his way in the last 2 weeks with only 5 of them resulting in receptions for 97 yards. He has 366 yards over 8 games this season since returning from injury. Last year he had 1,226 yards over 16 games. Hatcher is due for a big game sometime in the near future.

#25 RB Jeshrun Antwi

Antwi reunites with his old teammate William Stanback as the new BC Lion and will dress as a third-string running back in this game. He was traded to BC from Montreal on Wednesday. Antwi was highly productive in 2022 and 2023 but was seldom used this season.

#92 Josh Banks

Last week Banks had 1 tackle and 4 pressures by my count which was the most of any defensive lineman.

-block-heading"># LB Ryder Varga

Varga had 12 tackles last week including a solo run stop, 2 stops against the pass, and a shared run stop. He currently leads the team in tackles with 68 and also has a sack.

#56 DT Christian Covington

Last week Covington recorded his 5th sack of the season. He also has 24 tackles and 2 forced fumbles so far this year.

5 Stampeders to Watch

#84 WR Reggie Begelton

Begelton is 5th in receiving with 921 yards over 76 catches with 3 touchdowns.

-block-heading">#85 WR Jalen Philpot

In Calgary’s most recent game, Philpot was the most targeted receiver as he caught 6 of his 8 targets for 47 yards and a touchdown. He has 49 receptions for 524 yards and 2 touchdowns on the season. Another receiver to keep an eye on is Marken Michel #80 who has 593 yards and 5 touchdowns.

#26 RB Dedrick Mills

Dedrick Mills has rushed 123 times for 667 yards (5.4 average) and 1 touchdown over 9 games.

#6 DB Demerio Houston

Houston is tied with LB Cam Judge for first on the team in tackles with 60. He also has 4 interceptions and a forced fumble.

-block-heading">#41 DT Mike Rose

Rose has 15 tackles, an interception, and a team-leading 5 sacks this season.

Injury Report:

Depth Charts:

Score Prediction:

I predict the Lions to win 28-21 in large part due to BC’s success in the run game and the success Calgary’s opponents have had in the run game this season.

@JonathanClink on Twitter

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Jonathan Clink Reporter
Jonathan Clink joined CFL News Hub in early April of 2023. His primary responsibilities are covering the BC Lions and Montreal Alouettes. He self awarded himself the CFL Rookie Journalist of the Year in 2023 following the 2023 CFL season. He also proclaims himself to be a "really cool guy". He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and lived a large portion of his childhood in Northwest Ontario. He currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and misses being being able to have 4 months of skating every winter. Clink has written over 240 articles for CFL News Hub. He was the publication's boots on the ground at the 2023 Grey Cup in Hamilton. Clink has always had an obsession for sport and has a background in other sports as well having played hockey all his life and soccer, basketball, and lacrosse in high school. As a young child he used to log his hockey statistics after every game which is either an indication that he was destined for the role or perhaps and indication that he is rather strange.
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