Hamilton Tiger-Cats Week 7 Matchup

Location: Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton, Ontario

Game Date: Saturday, July 20th, 2024

Time: 7:00 PM EDT

Where to Watch: TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the US, CFL+ for International Viewers

DraftKings Odds: Toronto Argonauts (-3), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (+3), O/U 53.5 points

Anytime the Toronto Argonauts (3-2) and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats face off, it is always a big matchup for both teams and their fan bases. This Saturday is the first edition of the “Battle of the QEW” during the 2024 season, and both teams are approaching this game with an urgent need to win and an early edge in one of the oldest rivalries in Canadian sports. This matchup is critical for both Hamilton and Toronto but for different reasons.

The Toronto Argonauts come into this matchup with Hamilton after upsetting the previously undefeated Montreal Alouettes 37 to 18 last week. With the previous week’s win, the Argonauts have reasserted themselves as one of the top teams in the East Division of the CFL. Dual-threat quarterback Cameron Dukes leads Toronto’s offence, and an effective running game behind the efforts of running back Ka’Deem Carey. In addition to playing well offensively, the Argonaut’s defense has pressured opposing quarterbacks and has forced turnovers that have led to defensive touchdowns.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats come into this rivalry game after having a chance to evaluate their poor 0-5 start of the 2024 season during their bye last week. Offensively, the Tiger-Cats offence has benefitted from a resurgent season for quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell after he struggled with injuries for most of the 2023 season. Still, Hamilton has struggled to build momentum off Mitchell’s performance due to dropped passes and an inability to establish their running game with running back James Butler. Defensively, the Tiger-Cats have struggled to stop opposing offensive units this season, including allowing 44 points against the BC Lions in Week 5.

First-year Tiger-Cats head coach Scott Milanovich feels the pressure of needing Hamilton to step up and get their first win of the season. It has been apparent recently that the Tiger-Cats fan base is losing patience with Milanovich and the Tiger-Cats after seeing the team struggle with unforced errors and what seems to be a lack of discipline and chemistry among the Tiger-Cats players. A big part of the Tiger-Cat’s issues is related to sloppy special teams play and soft defensive play that has allowed Tiger-Cat’s opponents to move the ball up and down the field against the re-constructed Hamilton defense.

With the stage set for the first matchup in the Battle for the QEW, let’s look at what the Tiger-Cats need to do to give themselves a chance to cool down the hot Argonauts and get Hamilton’s first win of the 2024 season.

Toronto Argonauts Depth Chart

Hamilton Tiger-Cats Depth Chart

Keys to Victory

Key to Victory #1: Eliminate the Dropped Passes

During the Tiger-Cat’s first three games this season, the Hamilton offence and Bo Levi Mitchell were in a position to get their first win of the 2024 season. Unfortunately, the Tiger-Cats let all those opportunities slip through their fingers with receivers dropping passes, especially passes that would have resulted in critical touchdowns for Hamilton. All-Star receiver Tim White has several drops, including seven drops against BC and several dropped touchdown passes.

Wide receivers Shemar Bridges, Kiondre Smith, and Steven Dunbar Jr. have worked to make up for White’s lack of performance, but they have also come up short in essential situations in games. As the Tiger-Cats offensive game plan continues to focus on getting White the ball, the solution to the problem is for the Tiger-Cats receivers to step up and catch the balls that are getting thrown their way. If they can overcome the drops this week, then Hamilton should be explosive offensively and be able to put themselves in a position to get their first win of the season.

Key to Victory #2: Contain Argonauts Quarterback Cameron Dukes

The next area that will determine the winner of this game will be the ability of the Tiger-Cats defensive front seven to contain Argonauts quarterback Cameron Dukes. Dukes has quickly established himself this season as an effective dual-threat quarterback. In addition to his running ability, he has the instinct to get out of the pocket to extend plays and give his receiver a chance to get open. So far this season, the teams have not been able to contain the Dukes, but he has found a way to pick up critical first downs and get Toronto into the end zone.

Tiger-Cats defensive linemen Casey Sayles and David Menard will need to make an impact with their pass-rush ability to keep Dukes in the pocket while still applying pressure. In previous weeks, Dukes struggled to be effective from the pocket and relied on scrambling and his instincts in space. The difference in Duke’s performance from inside the pocket vs. on the run will be a significant factor in whether the Tiger-Cat’s defence can get enough stops to put themselves in a position to win the game.

Key to Victory #3: Force the Argonauts to Turn the Ball Over

Another aspect of the Tiger-Cats’ defensive struggles is related to their playing soft defensive coverage to prevent explosive plays. Unfortunately, in Hamilton’s last two games, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the BC Lions still found explosive plays against the Tiger-Cats’ zone coverage scheme on defence. Additionally, when the Tiger-Cats get teams to check the ball down to rely on the running game, Hamilton’s young linebackers have yet to work together efficiently to limit their opponent’s opportunity to extend drives.

If Hamilton intends to beat a quality offensive team like Toronto, they will need to become much more aggressive on the defensive side of the ball. The Tiger-Cat’s defensive coordinator, Mark Washington, needs to put his players in a position to get off the field and improve the Tiger-Cats’ starting field position for their offensive drives. Hamilton defenders also need to look for opportunities to force turnovers and potentially find a way to put points on the scoreboard directly or by setting up the Hamilton offence with a short field.

Injury Report

Toronto Argonauts

Out: DB Tunde Akeleke (Knee), OL Dylan Giffen (Groin/Illness), WR David Ungerer III (hamstring), DL Jordan Williams (ankle), DB Kerfalla Exume’ (foot), WR Kevin Mital (foot), DL Folarin Orimolade (ankle)

Questionable: DL Jake Ceresna (shoulder), DB Jon Edouard (foot)

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Out: OL, Dayton Black (Achilles), OL Joel Figueroa (shoulder), OL Jordan Murray (Knee), DB Will Sunderland (hamstring), OL Quinten Barrow (illness), LB Penei Pavihi (shoulder)

Game Analysis

The Tiger-Cats need to start this game hot on the offensive side of the ball and put points on the scoreboard early and often. For Hamilton to score those points, they will need to find some balance within their offensive game plan, and the Tiger-Cats receivers need to make catches consistently. Defensively, the Tiger-Cats must step up and force the Argonauts and Dukes into mistakes to get the Toronto offense off the field. If the Tiger-Cats can get some stops, and Hamilton can avoid making unforced errors, this game could be a solid opportunity to pick up a big win and start turning their 2024 season around or face an all too familiar 0-6 start to the season.

Game Prediction: Hamilton Tiger-Cats 32, Toronto Argonauts 30

Follow me on X: @AaronSauter7