Hamilton Tiger-Cats 2023 Week 3 Game
Visiting Team: Montreal Alouettes (1-0)
Home Team: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-2)
Location: Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton, Ontario
Date and Time: Friday, June 23rd at 7:00 pm EDT
Where to Watch: TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the US
Expected Weather: Mainly Cloudy, 40% Chance of Rain, 10 – 20 km/h Winds
Draft Kings Betting Line: Hamilton Tiger-Cats -2.5, O/U 44 points
The Tiger-Cats come into this Week 3 matchup with an 0-2 record, marred by a disappointing first half followed by a second-half scramble the last two weeks. While Hamilton has lost two road games to start the season, this week is their first opportunity to play in front of their home crowd during the 2023 season. Historically, the Tiger-Cats tend to play significantly better at home than on the road.
Hamilton faces various injury challenges this week, especially on the offensive side of the ball. While those injuries will require Hamilton to make personnel adjustments, Hamilton has more critical obstacles to overcome. Those challenges come in the form of turnovers, untimely penalties, and inconsistent performances.
The unified message communicated by all players and coaches for Hamilton refers to working the process and trusting that process. After overhauling the roster, they will need to consider adjusting that process. For Hamilton to get their first win of the season and put themselves in a position to be a championship contender, they will need to stop being their worst enemy.
The Montreal Alouettes come into this game with a 1-0 record and a consistent work ethic. A defining feature of this Montreal team is their ability to work together and to be fundamentally sound. If Hamilton comes ready to play a mistake-free game, their talent will allow them to be the better team this week. On the other hand, if the Tiger-Cats fail to control what they control, give the ball away in the end zone, and extend Montreal’s drives with penalties, this may be another long week for fans of the Tiger-Cats.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats Depth Chart for Offence
The Tiger-Cats offence comes into this week with no Bo Levi Mitchell, a host of offensive line injuries, and only James Butler at running back on the depth chart. With those injuries piling up, it could be easy for Hamilton to lose hope, but in the CFL, there are other options. The players that the Tiger-Cats need to include will not be what defines Hamilton’s performance this week on offence, but their attention to detail will be vitally important.
Backup Quarterback Matthew Shiltz gets his first start of the 2023 season, bringing a wealth of successful experience to the Tiger-Cats offence. Along with Shiltz, running back James Butler has played well this season, and the wide receiver unit is relatively healthy. Week 3 is a massive opportunity for Shiltz to step up and show he can lead this offence amid adversity.
Shiltz has more experience playing behind the backup offensive line as the backup quarterback. The impact of their numerous injuries to the starting offensive line should have a minimal effect on the Tiger-Cat’s offensive performance. It will be critical for James Butler to get a good start this week, and Shiltz needs to get into a rhythm with his wide receivers early in the game.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats Depth Chart for Defence
The Tiger-Cats defensive depth chart shows that Hamilton is much healthier than the offence this week. That should be a positive, but on the other hand, the Tiger-Cats defence has struggled to make plays in the first two games of the season. All units on the Hamilton defence need to step up their level of play.
Hamilton’s defensive front seven must bring their best game to contain Alouette’s potent run game. They will also need to find a way to pressure Montreal quarterback Cody Fajardo. Lawrence Woods III returns to a defensive secondary that has been the Tiger-Cat’s weakest defensive unit this season. This week the Tiger-Cat’s defensive backs will need to come together and resist the Montreal offence.
Special Teams Need To Step Up
With the Tiger-Cats struggling to perform on offence and defence, they need the special teams units to make plays and help put points on the scoreboard. For the second week, kicker Marc Liegghio will be back on the field for Hamilton, and the Tiger-Cats kick and punt returner Lawrence Woods III will be back on the field. If the Tiger-Cats can keep the game close against Montreal, then the special teams units could put them over the top to get their first win of the 2023 season.
Injury Report
The Tiger-Cats have several players that are OUT for this game. Those players are wide receiver Omar Bayless (shoulder), linebacker Bailey Feltmate (head), offensive lineman Joel Figueroa (foot), offensive lineman Tyrone Riley (elbow), offensive lineman Coulter Woodmansey (ribs), and offensive lineman Kyle Saxelid.
While quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell is on the depth chart as the third quarterback, he is doubtful with an adductor injury. Early this week, head coach Orlondo Steinauer mentioned that Mitchell would not play this week. Kicker Seth Small is still listed as suspended, and it is hard to predict when or if his status will change.
Game Prediction
After two disappointing games to start the 2023 season, it would be a pleasant surprise for the Tiger-Cats to come out and play a high-energy game and minimize their self-inflicted wounds. When the Hamilton offence is in a position to score, they need to get the ball in the end zone for touchdowns. The ability of Matt Shiltz to run the ball effectively may give him a chance to extend drives and put his weapons in position to make plays. The Hamilton defence needs to step up and get the Montreal offence off the field this week.
Predicted Score: Hamilton Tiger-Cats 26, Montreal Alouettes 25
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