Stamps suffer second straight setback

It would be easy to overreact to the Calgary Stampeders losing their second straight game.

Late October isn’t the time when teams want to start dropping games, and the fact the Stamps have fallen to the Roughriders and the Eskimos in back-to-back games is less than ideal.

But anyone claiming that the Stamps are falling apart and are going to lose in the West Division final probably needs to chill out.

The Stampeders looked better Saturday against the Eskimos than they did a week ago, and they played a bunch of backups, too.

Here’s five things to consider from Saturday’s game:

1. IN CONTEXT

The Stampeders weren’t about to go out and show the Eskimos everything they had in their playbook on Saturday night.

The Stamps didn’t really try to go deep on many passes and played it safe on the run game. Sure, the offence could have looked a little more dynamic, but anyone expecting the Stampeders to go out and unleash the full breadth of their offensive arsenal was going to be disappointed.

The Stamps will need a win on Nov. 19 when they host the West final. The Eskimos are a possible opponent, so it only made sense to play things safe on Saturday.

2. BO BETTER

After playing his worst game of the season against the Riders last weekend, Stamps QB Bo Levi Mitchell bounced back against the Eskimos. Even in the first half, when the Stamps were struggling to move the ball, any issues had more to do with receivers not catching. The reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player finished with 307 yards and two TDs, and the offence looked as good as it has in over a month. With Marquay McDaniel and Marken Michel expected back in time for the West final, the passing game should be just fine.

3. NOT SPECIAL ENOUGH

With Roy Finch out, the Stampeders return game didn’t look as good as it should have. But for the second straight game, the Stampeders special-teams unit allowed a big return. The Eskimos didn’t run a punt back for a TD, but Jamill Smith’s 64yard return in the third quarter gave the home team great field position. A couple plays later, they had scored a touchdown.

4. DEEP THREAT

The Stampeders defence wasn’t quite its usual dominant self, but the unit deserves the benefit of the doubt after smashing every opponent it has faced this season.

The one area that could be seen as a concern was that the Eskimos found receivers deep on several occasions. The Stamps need to be focused on that issue against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

5. WHAT TO DO?

In the game against the Bombers, there’s a lot to think about. The Stamps don’t want to enter the playoffs on a three-game losing skid. However, it’s not worth risking any pivotal players by playing them in a meaningless game.

A win would be nice next weekend, but a whole lot nicer in the West final. Anything that puts that at risk is probably worth avoiding.