Eskimos at Cats Game Day Thoughts

Is this a must win game for the Cats with eight games remaining. Mathematically no, but the Cats have a decent shot playing Edmonton at home with the rather crotchety Kerry Joseph at the controls. With Winnipeg losing already this week, a win would get the Cats two games up on the Bombers and probably more importantly another win in their battle against the Riders for the crossover playoff spot.
Potentially if the Riders get hot the Esks could be a crossover possibility as well, so beating the Esks is potentially doubly important.

The Esks have also lost back to back games against the Stamps. The Cats have lost five straight so neither team can claim much momentum. The Cats have lost some close games although last week the Argos pulled away in the fourth quarter.

The Cats still have injury issues. Hage is apparently gone at centre for the season, but O'Neill hasn't been really been an issue as a replacement. Knowlton is still missing at linebacker which hurts due to his ability to make big plays, something the defence has been lacking this year.

The Cats strength this year has been their offence. To win this game and their remaining games the Cats are going to have to score enough points to compensate for their rather woeful defence. That's somewhat obvious. What the Cats should do knowing this is go for it on third down more often to keep drives alive and keep the Cat defence off the field. Sure there will be failures, but statistically the Cats should be going for it always on third and two or less. Porter also has to step on quarterback sneaks. Last year they were a strength, this year not so much.

I'm not sure what the Cats can do about their front defensive four. Certainly bringing in new personnel like the trade this week for Peguese and seeing who can play is one thing the Cats can do. People argue that sacks are an overrated stat, but the Cats are dead last in the CFL in sacks by a rather large margin and probably not coincidentally are 3 and 7. More blitzing? Probably easier said than done and the Cat secondary isn't anything to write home about this year, although considering they are starting two Canadians isn't terrible.

Cobourne is starting again at running back according to the online depth chart. He doesn't have blazing speed, but he is good as a receiver. Hopefully Burris uses him today.