Calgary at Winnipeg
Yeah I don't really see the Stampeders losing in Winnipeg this week, home field advantage be damned. Although Winnipeg should be motivated since they are still in the playoff race and the Stamps aren't really that far from locking up first in the West.
Stampeders 31 Blue Bombers 19
BC at Edmonton
Considering that BC is having quarterback injury problems and Edmonton actually has Mike Reilly back (although he only passed for 49 yards last week in Hamilton) and Edmonton is at home, that smells like an Eskimo victory.
Eskimos 27 Lions 16
Toronto at Ottawa
This game is definitely interesting. Both teams have winning records. Ottawa hasn't been particularly good against good teams this year in the CFL compiling their winning record and at times has been blown out. I'm going to go against home field and pick Toronto.
Argonauts 26 REDBLACKS 24
Montreal at Saskatchewan
Crompton is back, as is Glenn. The game is in Saskatchewan, where the Riders achieved their single lone victory of 2015. On neutral ground, I think Montreal is a better team, however the Riders weren't terrible last week, although they again managed to lose a close one to Ottawa. Montreal has playoff motivation. I think the Riders manage to pull one out for once.
Roughriders 30 Alouettes 28
Friday, September 25, 2015
Thursday, September 24, 2015
2015 CFL Power Rankings Week 13
1. Calgary StampedersWith Zach Collaros' injury, let's face it
Calgary is alone and Bo Levi Mitchell doesn't have competition for the
best quarterback anymore. Plus they beat BC this past week.
2. Toronto Argonauts
Still have Trevor Harris healthy. Don't really have much in the way of fans, but that hasn't really helped the Riders this year so I don't think it is that important.
3. Edmonton Eskimos
The fact they only had 49 yards passing in Hamilton last week is troubling. They do have a good defence, though and Mike Reilly is back. 49 yards though. Jeez.
4. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Henry Burris has been healthy all year long which is an accomplishment in the CFL. Looks like a pretty good shot to make the playoffs after a two win season in 2014. That's pretty good for an expansion team.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
So no Zach Collaros and Matthews didn't really impress in his relief roll. The Tiger-Cats do have the best defence in the CFL though.
6. Montreal Alouettes
Beat Winnipeg and Jonathon Crompton is back. Need to see more from them to move up the rankings, although they are looking good for the cross-over.
7. BC Lions
Down to their third string quarterback and lost again. Not looking good for the Lions.
8. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Almost won at home. Still stuck at one win. Glenn is back, which is something.
9. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Not a good time in Bomberville.
2. Toronto Argonauts
Still have Trevor Harris healthy. Don't really have much in the way of fans, but that hasn't really helped the Riders this year so I don't think it is that important.
3. Edmonton Eskimos
The fact they only had 49 yards passing in Hamilton last week is troubling. They do have a good defence, though and Mike Reilly is back. 49 yards though. Jeez.
4. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Henry Burris has been healthy all year long which is an accomplishment in the CFL. Looks like a pretty good shot to make the playoffs after a two win season in 2014. That's pretty good for an expansion team.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
So no Zach Collaros and Matthews didn't really impress in his relief roll. The Tiger-Cats do have the best defence in the CFL though.
6. Montreal Alouettes
Beat Winnipeg and Jonathon Crompton is back. Need to see more from them to move up the rankings, although they are looking good for the cross-over.
7. BC Lions
Down to their third string quarterback and lost again. Not looking good for the Lions.
8. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Almost won at home. Still stuck at one win. Glenn is back, which is something.
9. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Not a good time in Bomberville.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Does Jeff Matthews Have What It Takes to Be A Successful Starter This Season for the Ticats?
Obviously Zach Collaros' knee injury on Saturday isn't good for the Cats. At best he is likely to be gone for a number of games. Jeff Matthews would seem to have a decent chance to start for the Cats, although his play on Saturday in relief wasn't good and it would not have taken much to defeat the Eskimos.
Matthews tossed three interceptions, two that were pick sixes and one in the Eskimo end zone. A couple of them seemed down right baffling. Matthews also fumbled and lost the ball on a running play. However, having seen bad Ticat backups forced into the game (Billy Dickens, Timmy Chang) Matthews wasn't terrible. He didn't have two and and out after two and out after getting blitzed repeatedly which is what happens to most CFL rookie backups. He went 7 for 10 with 90 yards and a TD before being yanked, which was more yards than Reilly had the entire game (49 yards on 7 for 22 attempts). This week is a bye week, and no doubt Matthews will get considerably more snaps. Plus the Cats will likely try to add more of a running game to help out Matthews, including using four receivers and a fullback more often (which the Cats have rarely done). Weirdly while Matthews was in on Saturday, he often played with six receiver sets, which Collaros doesn't do that often.
The Ticats defence is arguably the best in the league right now (i.e. giving up 49 passing yards) and their special teams are up there too. Besides Collaros though, the Cats have other injury problems, including Dyakowski, Bomben and Olson on the offensive line in the last game alone. Plus Gable and Fantuz are still out, who both would be especially useful on a Matthews led team.
Are the Cats the favourite to win the Grey Cup still? No. Can they still make the playoffs? I think they can, although losing this past game against Edmonton where they had chances to win is going to hurt.
Matthews tossed three interceptions, two that were pick sixes and one in the Eskimo end zone. A couple of them seemed down right baffling. Matthews also fumbled and lost the ball on a running play. However, having seen bad Ticat backups forced into the game (Billy Dickens, Timmy Chang) Matthews wasn't terrible. He didn't have two and and out after two and out after getting blitzed repeatedly which is what happens to most CFL rookie backups. He went 7 for 10 with 90 yards and a TD before being yanked, which was more yards than Reilly had the entire game (49 yards on 7 for 22 attempts). This week is a bye week, and no doubt Matthews will get considerably more snaps. Plus the Cats will likely try to add more of a running game to help out Matthews, including using four receivers and a fullback more often (which the Cats have rarely done). Weirdly while Matthews was in on Saturday, he often played with six receiver sets, which Collaros doesn't do that often.
The Ticats defence is arguably the best in the league right now (i.e. giving up 49 passing yards) and their special teams are up there too. Besides Collaros though, the Cats have other injury problems, including Dyakowski, Bomben and Olson on the offensive line in the last game alone. Plus Gable and Fantuz are still out, who both would be especially useful on a Matthews led team.
Are the Cats the favourite to win the Grey Cup still? No. Can they still make the playoffs? I think they can, although losing this past game against Edmonton where they had chances to win is going to hurt.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Ticats Edmonton Depth Chart
Pretty much the same as last week's game. Ellefsen is in for Gascon-Nadon as a backup non-import defensive end. Holley starts at running back with Woodson backing him up, no Grigsby.
Wide receivers are Tolliver and Coates. Slots are Sinkfield, Tasker and Underwood.
Wide receivers are Tolliver and Coates. Slots are Sinkfield, Tasker and Underwood.
2015 CFL Predictions Week 13
Again late on my predictions.
Edmonton at Hamilton
Two good teams battling in the Hammer. Based on Hamilton's recent hotness and also their record at home, the Ticats have to be the favourite here, despite having some key injuries (Bakari Grant, Andy Fantuz, C.J. Gable amongst others). Edmonton finally has quarterback Mike Reilly back and an excellent defence. Reilly is good, but Collaros is in the middle of a great season.
Ticats 29 Eskimos 27
Ottawa at Saskatchewan
Battle of the Roughriders/Rough Riders. I'm not convinced that Ottawa is a particularly great team, but they are at least OK in 2015. The Riders not so much. They do have Kevin Glenn back as their quarterback, which is something, although it wasn't like the Riders actually won when he started earlier in the season. Henry Burris had a great game last week, so one pretty much has to go with the Riders, although Burris does have a tendency to suddenly suck at times.
REDBLACKS 26 Roughriders 22
Winnipeg at Montreal
Not really sure about this one. An important game for both teams if they want to make the playoffs. Jonathon Crompton could be back for Montreal as the quarterback which I guess may be an improvement although I'm not positive. I'll go with home field advantage here. That's usually quite safe in the CFL.
Alouettes 22 Blue Bombers 19
Edmonton at Hamilton
Two good teams battling in the Hammer. Based on Hamilton's recent hotness and also their record at home, the Ticats have to be the favourite here, despite having some key injuries (Bakari Grant, Andy Fantuz, C.J. Gable amongst others). Edmonton finally has quarterback Mike Reilly back and an excellent defence. Reilly is good, but Collaros is in the middle of a great season.
Ticats 29 Eskimos 27
Ottawa at Saskatchewan
Battle of the Roughriders/Rough Riders. I'm not convinced that Ottawa is a particularly great team, but they are at least OK in 2015. The Riders not so much. They do have Kevin Glenn back as their quarterback, which is something, although it wasn't like the Riders actually won when he started earlier in the season. Henry Burris had a great game last week, so one pretty much has to go with the Riders, although Burris does have a tendency to suddenly suck at times.
REDBLACKS 26 Roughriders 22
Winnipeg at Montreal
Not really sure about this one. An important game for both teams if they want to make the playoffs. Jonathon Crompton could be back for Montreal as the quarterback which I guess may be an improvement although I'm not positive. I'll go with home field advantage here. That's usually quite safe in the CFL.
Alouettes 22 Blue Bombers 19
Friday, September 18, 2015
2015 CFL Power Rankings Week 12
A bit late on the power rankings this week.
1. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
A road win by eight points, even if a bit messy is nothing to sneeze at. Plus the Cats completed the regular season sweep of the Argonauts, which was nice.
2. Calgary Stampeders
Sure they lost at home, but with the imminent return of Canadian running back Jon Cornish, the Stampeders become an even better team.
3. Edmonton Eskimos
Quarterback Mike Reilly is back and playing well. Beat the Stampeders at home this past week, although one should be nervous about Reilly's health.
4. Toronto Argonauts
Admittedly they have lost two games in a row to their archrivals and they are being booted by the Jays for their playoff run, the Argos are still a decent team and quarterback Ricky Ray is healthy again.
5. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Are the REDBLACKS for real? Seems so after beating BC handily on the road. Quarterback Henry Burris is looking good rather than crotchety and the team has a winning record later on into the season. Not sure if they can beat a good team, but there are a lot of loser teams in the CFL in 2015.
6. Montreal Alouettes
Didn't play last week, which must help for injuries. Plus quarterback Jonathon Crompton is supposedly healthy again. I don't think that helps much, but there are worse quarterbacks in the league.
7. BC Lions
Not a great season for BC. Does Wally Buono still have it as a GM?
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Won the Banjo Bowl solidly with Matt Nichols as quarterback. Picker up quarterback Tajh Boyd from the Ticats for a pack of smokes. Still not a good team.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
After winning their first game of the season, the Riders came back to Earth last week. At least Kevin Glenn is back, although the Riders managed to lose a lot of games with him as the starter.
1. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
A road win by eight points, even if a bit messy is nothing to sneeze at. Plus the Cats completed the regular season sweep of the Argonauts, which was nice.
2. Calgary Stampeders
Sure they lost at home, but with the imminent return of Canadian running back Jon Cornish, the Stampeders become an even better team.
3. Edmonton Eskimos
Quarterback Mike Reilly is back and playing well. Beat the Stampeders at home this past week, although one should be nervous about Reilly's health.
4. Toronto Argonauts
Admittedly they have lost two games in a row to their archrivals and they are being booted by the Jays for their playoff run, the Argos are still a decent team and quarterback Ricky Ray is healthy again.
5. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Are the REDBLACKS for real? Seems so after beating BC handily on the road. Quarterback Henry Burris is looking good rather than crotchety and the team has a winning record later on into the season. Not sure if they can beat a good team, but there are a lot of loser teams in the CFL in 2015.
6. Montreal Alouettes
Didn't play last week, which must help for injuries. Plus quarterback Jonathon Crompton is supposedly healthy again. I don't think that helps much, but there are worse quarterbacks in the league.
7. BC Lions
Not a great season for BC. Does Wally Buono still have it as a GM?
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Won the Banjo Bowl solidly with Matt Nichols as quarterback. Picker up quarterback Tajh Boyd from the Ticats for a pack of smokes. Still not a good team.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
After winning their first game of the season, the Riders came back to Earth last week. At least Kevin Glenn is back, although the Riders managed to lose a lot of games with him as the starter.
Friday, September 11, 2015
2015 CFL Predictions Week 12
Hamilton at Toronto
Often in the CFL it is hard to win back to back games against the same opponent. The Ticats were so dominant last week against the Argos at home, especially on offense, that I think the Tiger-Cats will take this one. The Cats were successful even with all their injuries. Plus there should be a healthy number of Ticats fans at Dead Ted's Dome tonight.
Tiger-Cats 31 Argonauts 29
Saskatchewan at Winnipeg
The Banjo Bowl and a rematch from last week. The Bombers lost but will start Matt Nichols at quarterback who they obtained from Edmonton. Can the Riders make it two in a row? I think they have the momentum, although they are not a good team by any means. They are playing Winnipeg however.
Roughriders 25 Blue Bombers 20
Calgary at Edmonton
The Esks are at home after losing the Labour Day classic last week. Their offense didn't do much, but their defence was good as usual. Mike Reilly could potentially play more. I'll pick the home team here.
Eskimos 19 Stampeders 16
Ottawa at BC
Eastern team often don't do well in BC, however this game is at 4 pm Eastern, which is a lot better than an 8 pm Pacific start. The Lions don't have Lulay this week, but that didn't really stop them against Montreal last week. I'm going to go with the home team this week. Ottawa just isn't very good on the road.
Lions 27 REDBLACKS 19
Often in the CFL it is hard to win back to back games against the same opponent. The Ticats were so dominant last week against the Argos at home, especially on offense, that I think the Tiger-Cats will take this one. The Cats were successful even with all their injuries. Plus there should be a healthy number of Ticats fans at Dead Ted's Dome tonight.
Tiger-Cats 31 Argonauts 29
Saskatchewan at Winnipeg
The Banjo Bowl and a rematch from last week. The Bombers lost but will start Matt Nichols at quarterback who they obtained from Edmonton. Can the Riders make it two in a row? I think they have the momentum, although they are not a good team by any means. They are playing Winnipeg however.
Roughriders 25 Blue Bombers 20
Calgary at Edmonton
The Esks are at home after losing the Labour Day classic last week. Their offense didn't do much, but their defence was good as usual. Mike Reilly could potentially play more. I'll pick the home team here.
Eskimos 19 Stampeders 16
Ottawa at BC
Eastern team often don't do well in BC, however this game is at 4 pm Eastern, which is a lot better than an 8 pm Pacific start. The Lions don't have Lulay this week, but that didn't really stop them against Montreal last week. I'm going to go with the home team this week. Ottawa just isn't very good on the road.
Lions 27 REDBLACKS 19
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