The Calgary Stampeders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats head into a week seven Friday night matchup needing wins to stay alive for the playoffs.
Calgary got a big win on the road last week against Edmonton 32-16 thanks in part to the return of Bo Levi Mitchell at quarterback. The veteran quarterback threw for 276 yards and one touchdown in the win. Defense was the name of the game for the Stampeders as they were able to play much better against the Elk’s offense keeping the offense out of the end zone. Kicker Rene Paredes did a lot to help the team converting six field goals in the win.
Hamilton made a late comeback as they came one point short of defeating Toronto. Quarterback Dane Evans carried the offense leading the way in passing and rushing yards for the Tiger-Cats in the loss. The defense for Hamilton had an impressive showing creating two turnovers despite some struggles against the run.
Calgary heads into the matchup just a half-game behind Edmonton for last place in the West Division at a 2-4 record. Hamilton sits at third place in the East Division with a 2-3 record.
How Calgary Defeats Hamilton on the Road
It’s another big game for Calgary who is heading onto the road for the third time in four games. The team saw the return of their starting quarterback Mitchell who needed that game to knock off the rust of being out the previous three games. There was still some inconsistencies with his game, but still showed encouraging signs that he can get back to form once he’s 100 percent healthy.
The Stampeders’ defense got better last week slowing down one of the best offenses in the league. Edmonton quarterback Trevor Harris failed to hit over 300 yards or a touchdown in the game. Calgary’s secondary stepped up in a big way to get their team a much-needed win.
For Calgary to pick up another key road win, the focus has to be on containing Dane Evans and not giving him time in the pocket. Hamilton relies heavily on their passing game to carry them to win. Forcing the Tiger-Cats to run the ball takes them out of their element. The Calgary offense will need Mitchell to improve his efficiency and rely on his running back Ka’Deem Carey to keep up his successful season.
How Hamilton Defeats Calgary at Home
The Tiger-Cats must find a way to get their running game going as Calgary will be keyed on having more defenders in the secondary. This means the team must be able to pick up at least five to seven yards on first down to take some of the pressure off of Evans at quarterback. Their offense has been inconsistent for most of the season and a strong performance on the ground will help them out.
Hamilton’s defense is facing a balanced, big-play offense that has playmakers in the backfield and at receiver. Forcing them to become one-dimensional will make it easier to adjust to their style of play. Putting pressure on Mitchell and hitting him often will force him to make bad passes.
