Game Details
Date/Location: Saturday, October 4 / Save-on-Foods Field at BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia
Kickoff Time: 7:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM PT
Channel: TSN, CFL+
Odds
Spread: BC Lions -4 (-110), Calgary Stampeders +4 (-110)
Moneyline: BC Lions -180, Calgary Stampeders +150
Over/Under: 55 (Over -110, Under -110)
Overview
A game with massive implications in the West Division standings closes out Week 18 when the Calgary Stampeders visit the BC Lions at Save-on-Foods Field at BC Place on Saturday night. The Lions are riding a three-game winning streak and sit at 8-7 following their Week 17 victory over Toronto. Calgary enters on a three-game losing skid after falling 38-20 to Montreal, dropping to 8-6 on the season.
The West Division playoff race remains tight, with the Stampeders, Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers all currently holding 16 points in the standings. With Winnipeg on a bye week, the winner of Saturday’s contest will take sole possession of second place in the West Division. Calgary holds a 6-2 record against divisional opponents this season, while BC sits at 3-4 in division play.
The Lions dominated the last meeting between these teams in Week 16, defeating Calgary 52-23. BC leads the CFL in 30-plus yard completions with 29 and tops the league in second down conversion success rate at 53.2 per cent. The Lions’ offensive firepower has been on full display, averaging 25.4 points per game, the highest in the league.
Key Players
Nathan Rourke (QB) – The Lions quarterback has been playing at a Most Outstanding Player level, completing 283 of 408 passes for 4,170 yards with 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Rourke has also rushed for 455 yards and nine touchdowns on 55 carries. He is a career 3-0 against Calgary and will look to maintain that perfect record.
Keon Hatcher Sr. (WR) – The league’s leading receiver has hauled in 83 catches for 1,404 yards and five touchdowns. Hatcher caught all eight passes for 147 yards in the Week 16 matchup against Calgary. Along with Justin McInnis (1,054 yards), the duo has combined for 2,458 receiving yards, approaching the franchise record of 3,135 set by Ray Alexander and Matt Clark in 1991.
James Butler (RB) – The CFL’s leading rusher has accumulated 1,062 yards on 192 carries with 10 touchdowns. Butler missed the Week 16 meeting with Calgary due to injury, meaning the Stampeders will face him for the first time this season. He has also contributed 32 catches for 281 yards and one touchdown in the passing game.
Vernon Adams Jr. (QB) – The Calgary quarterback has completed 195 of 301 passes for 2,951 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Adams Jr. has struggled in his last three games, averaging just 197.3 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. He holds a 1-2 career record against BC and was limited to 125 yards with two interceptions in the Week 16 loss.
Dedrick Mills (RB) – Recently surpassing 1,000 yards, Mills has rushed for 954 yards on 185 carries with eight touchdowns. He has recorded 15 rushes of 10-plus yards in his last six games and has posted 70-or-more yards in 11 of 14 contests. Mills has also added 26 receptions for 197 yards.
Keys to the Game
Protecting Against the Deep Ball – BC leads the league with 29 completions of 30-plus yards, but Calgary has allowed the fewest such plays with just 15. The Stampeders’ secondary, featuring Jaydon Grant, Adrian Greene and Damon Webb, must limit the big-play ability of Rourke and his receiving corps.
Establishing the Ground Game – Both teams feature 1,000-yard rushers in Butler and Mills. The Lions can exploit Calgary’s league-worst run defense that allows 112.6 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, the Stamps need Mills to control the clock and keep Rourke off the field.
Turnover Battle – Ball security will be crucial, as Rourke threw three interceptions last week against Toronto. Calgary’s Adrian Greene leads the Stampeders with four interceptions, and forcing turnovers could swing momentum in a tight divisional matchup.
Injury Report
Depth Chart
Score Predictions
BC Lions 30 – Calgary Stampeders 25
