Hamilton Tiger-Cats Game #14
Visiting Team: Edmonton Elks (5-8, 5th Place in the West division)
Home Team: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-5, 1st Place in the East division)
Date and Time: Saturday, September 20th at 7 pm EDT
Game Location: Hamilton Stadium, Hamilton, ON
Where to Watch: In Canada, TSN/RDS 2 In the US, and International, CFL+
DraftKings Betting Line: Edmonton Elks (+6), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-6), O/U 55.5 points
Week 16 of the 2025 CFL season could be a big week for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-5) when they meet the Edmonton Elks (5-8) for a Saturday night home game. The reason it could be a big week is directly related to the Tiger-Cats’ opportunity to be the 2nd team in the CFL to clinch a playoff spot. In addition to clinching the playoff spot, a win over the Elks would also help Hamilton maintain their lead over the Montreal Alouettes in the East Division standings.
For Hamilton, the 2025 season has been defined by a series of streaks. Hamilton started the season with a two-game losing streak, then when on a six-game winning streak, followed by a three-game losing streak, and now they are riding a two-game winning streak. During the Tiger-Cats’ winning streaks, they have leaned heavily on their running game, which has led to better pass protection and more explosive play opportunities for Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and his fleet of wide receivers. During the Tiger-Cats’ last two wins, running back Greg Bell has exploded for some impressive runs, which have helped Hamilton set the tone for each of the last two games, including their victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last week.
Edmonton has also had an up-and-down season in 2025, but recently, they have played solid football behind the leadership of quarterback Cody Fajardo. In addition to Fajardo’s leadership and efficiency, Elks running back Justin Rankin has put up some impressive performances. Defensively, the Elks have struggled to get stops in close games, which has led to several close losses, including a one-point loss to the Toronto Argonauts last week. Due to some inconsistent performances by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and BC Lions, the Elks still have a chance to make the playoffs in the West division, and they could also contend for an opportunity to be a crossover team if Toronto does not get back on track.
The stakes are high in Week 16 for both the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Edmonton Elks as they both try to take control of their postseason futures.
According to the Week 16 CFL Injury Report, the Edmonton Elks and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats appear to be the most healthy that they have been for the last several weeks. For Edmonton, the Elks will have linebacker Nick Anderson (Hip) and defensive back Royce Metchie (Achilles) ruled out for this game. The Tiger-Cats also have two players that are being ruled out, fullback Daniel Bell (elbow) and linebacker Kyler Fisher (shoulder).
Edmonton Elks Depth Chart
Hamilton Tiger-Cats Depth Chart
Key to Victory #1: Win on 1st Down
For Hamilton to have a great chance of picking up their 9th win of the season, they will need to ensure that they are consistently winning on first down. Recently, Hamilton has found success when using their running game with Greg Bell to win on early downs, but the Tiger-Cats will also likely mix in some quick passes and screen plays. It is crucial for the Tiger-Cats to win on first down because if they avoid 2nd and long situations, it will be very difficult for the Elks’ defensive unit to stop the Tiger-Cats’ passing game. Bo Levi Mitchell plays his best football when he can consistently be in 2nd and medium situations.
Key to Victory #2: Contain Elks QB Cody Fajardo
On the Edmonton Elks side, quarterback Cody Fajardo is in his element when he has the ability to run the ball when he does not have a player open downfield. Fajardo’s dual-threat ability enables him to avoid forcing passes into tight windows, thereby reducing the likelihood of turnovers. The Tiger-Cats’ defensive front seven will need to work to contain Fajardo and force him to exclusively pass from the pocket. When Fajardo cannot get out of the pocket, he tends to struggle with accuracy and also has a tendency to force passes to his top weapons, whether they are open or not.
Key to Victory #3: Force Elks Turnovers
Defensively, the Tiger-Cats can set their team up for success by forcing the Elks’ offensive unit to turn the ball over. If Fajardo is forced to pass the ball a majority of the time, the stellar Tiger-Cats defensive backfield, led by Stavros Katsantonis and Jamal Peters, will have opportunities to take the ball away from the Elks. Earlier in the season, the Elks struggled to secure wins in close games due to a tendency to turn the ball over. Hamilton’s ability to take the ball away from Edmonton should set the Tiger-Cats up for more scouting opportunities with a shorter distance from their end zone.
Key to Victory #4: Keep Running the Ball with RB Greg Bell
To put it bluntly, when the Tiger-Cats run the ball effectively, they win. This should drive Hamilton to establish the run early. If running back Greg Bell gets momentum, Hamilton can avoid 2nd-and-long situations and control the game’s tempo. When Hamilton loses, they abandon the run and become a pass-heavy team. Overreliance on passing consistently plagues the Tiger-Cats, often leading to quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell’s mistakes and turnovers.
Key to Victory #5: Finish Offensive Possessions with Points
The Tiger-Cats often struggle in games they lose because they fail to get the ball into the end zone to finish offensive drives. One part of their conservative approach is relying on the success of kicker Marc Liegghio, who is consistent with field goals. While it is important for Hamilton to score on every possession, settling for field goals can make it tough to keep pace. If their opponent focuses on scoring touchdowns against Hamilton’s defence, the Tiger-Cats may fall behind.
Game Prediction:
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 31, Edmonton Elks 23
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