CFL season kicking into high gear this weekend
Intensity always ramps up with Labour Day matchups
TORONTO — It’s Labour Day weekend in the CFL, and for many, the unofficial start of the season.
For some teams, it’s an opportunity to begin their playoff push against a bitter rival. For others, it’s time to start separating themselves from the pack and secure a post-season berth.
The action started Friday night with the East Division-leading Ottawa Redblacks hosting the last-place Montreal Alouettes, who pulled off a 21-11 upset.
On Sunday, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-5) visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-4) with both teams fighting for third in the West Division.
The Calgary Stampeders (CFL-best 8-1 record) put their 5-0 home mark on the line Monday afternoon against the visiting Edmonton Eskimos (6-4), who are second in the West just two points ahead of Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.
On Monday night, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-5) entertain Toronto (3-6) with a chance to move four points ahead of the third-place Argonauts.
“It’s just one of those games where I feel like everything is understood,” said Ticats linebacker Simoni Lawrence. “I love Labour Day just because especially over here in Hamilton, the whole city, that’s what everybody looks forward to.
“We’re going to have a big crowd and it’s a rivalry game. The thing about rivalry games is everything is understood, you don’t have to do too much talking, you know what kind of game it’s going to be.”
Marcus Ball, Toronto’s rugged linebacker, said Labour Day in Hamilton is always a huge grudge match.
“Growing up . . . there’s always one game, one opponent, one guy you always wanted to go against, the backyard brawl so to speak,” he said. “It’s exciting being an Argo because we get to go against the Ticats every Labour Day and it’s always a hard-nosed, 12-round bout type of game.
“You can throw the records out, they don’t matter. It’s all about us beating those boys.”
All nine teams have played a minimum of nine regular-season games thus far.
While many trends have been established, there’s no shortage of questions that remain unanswered heading to the playoffs and, ultimately, the Grey Cup game on Nov. 25 at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.
IMPORTANT GAMES
Hamilton, Calgary and Saskatchewan could strengthen their respective situations with Labour Day sweeps over Toronto, Edmonton and Winnipeg. A split wouldn’t hurt any of those clubs, either.
Calgary visits Hamilton on Sept. 15 and hosts Saskatchewan on Oct. 20. The Riders handed the Stampeders their only loss this season, a 40-27 decision on Aug. 19 at Mosaic Stadium.
Hamilton visits Toronto on Oct. 12 to conclude that three-game series. Six of the Ticats’ nine remaining games are against East Division competition, including a home-and-home series with Ottawa (Oct. 19 at TD Place, Oct. 27 at Tim Hortons Field).
Receiver Duron Carter isn’t expected to play in either of Toronto’s next two games versus Hamilton. If that holds true, his first game in an Argos uniform could be Sept. 22 at BMO Field versus Saskatchewan, the team that released Carter on Aug. 11.
Edmonton plays West Division rivals in six of its final eight regular-season games. After facing Calgary, the Eskimos take on Winnipeg twice (at Commonwealth Sept. 29 and Nov. 3) and visit both B.C. (Oct. 19) and Saskatchewan (Oct. 8). The two East Division games are against Ottawa (at TD Place on Sept. 22, Commonwealth on Oct. 13).
Winnipeg faces Saskatchewan a final time Oct. 13 at Mosaic Stadium. The Bombers also will play Edmonton twice as well as host Calgary (Oct. 26). Their two East Division contests are versus Montreal (Sept. 21) and in Ottawa (Oct. 5).
Six of Saskatchewan’s nine remaining games are versus West Division teams, including three against Winnipeg. The Riders also host Edmonton and B.C. (Oct. 27) and will visit Calgary while taking on Ottawa (Sept. 15), Toronto (Sept. 22) and Montreal (Sept. 30).
WESTERN DOMINANCE
West Division teams are 16-9 against their Eastern rivals, with Calgary an impressive 5-0. The Lions (1-2) are the lone Western team to have a losing record against the East, while Ottawa (3-2) is the only East team with a winning record against the West.