Stamps get back in their house
Calgary aims to avoid being saddled with back-to-back losses
For the first time this season, Bo Levi Mitchell and the Calgary Stampeders are dealing with defeat.
Calgary suffered a 40-27 road loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday night. The good news for the 7-1Stampeders is they don’t have time to think about it as they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday ( TSN, 3:30 p.m.).
Calgary is 4-0 this season at McMahon Stadium, having outscored their opponents 10454 there. But as dominant as the Stampeders have been this year, they’re just two points ahead of the Edmonton Eskimos (6-3) heading into their traditional Labour Day homeand-home series.
Mitchell finished 22-of-36 passing for 275 yards with four TDs against the Roughriders. But he was sacked five times and threw a pick-six in suffering just the 11th loss in 76 career regular-season starts.
Winnipeg (5-4) is also coming off a loss, 44-21 at home to the Ottawa Redblacks last Friday. The result was surprising as the Bombers’ defence came into the game leading the CFL in sacks and interceptions while being tied with Calgary for most turnovers forced.
Ottawa quarterback Trevor Harris was 29-of-39 passing for 361 yards and a TD. William Powell ran for 106 yards — his second straight 100-yard performance — and a touchdown.
The Redblacks defence did its part, registering four sacks and an interception.
Winnipeg’s Matt Nichols was 25-of-35 passing for 291 yards with two TDs and an interception, but that did not stop the Bombers faithful from booing the veteran quarterback.
CFL rushing leader Andrew Harris ran for 72 yards and a TD on 15 carries. Winnipeg leads the league in rushing, averaging 146 yards per game.
Calgary counters with a defence that’s allowing a leaguelow 77.3 yards per game. And despite last week’s loss, the unit still leads the CFL in fewest offensive points allowed (13.3 per game), fewest offensive TDs allowed (seven), fewest yards allowed (271), fewest TD passes allowed (three) and remains tied with Winnipeg in turnovers forced (26).
Winnipeg counters with the CFL’s top-scoring offence (29.6 points per game). The Bombers are also first overall in offensive TDs (30) and second in fewest sacks allowed (13). Prediction: Calgary
EDMONTON ESKIMOS AT HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Thursday, 7:30 p.m. (TSN)
The Ticats (3-5) last played in a 29-23 road loss to Winnipeg on Aug. 10. Starter Jeremiah Masoli is 2-0 versus Edmonton, including a 38-21 road win on June 22. The Eskimos (6-3) are coming off a 40-24 victory over Montreal as Mike Reilly threw for 424 yards and three TDs.
Prediction: Edmonton
TORONTO ARGONAUTS AT MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Friday, 7:30 p.m. (TSN)
Antonio Pipkin is expected to start for the Alouettes with Johnny Manziel (concussion protocol) out. Coach Mike Sherman said Wednesday that Manziel is “doing better every day” after missing the first two workouts so far this week. Pipkin was 14-of-25 passing for 217 yards with a TD an interception against Edmonton. Toronto (3-5) has won two in a row with starting QB McLeod BethelThompson. James Wilder Jr. ran for 91 yards in last week’s 24-23 win over B.C.
Prediction: Toronto
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS AT B.C. LIONS
Saturday, 10 p.m. (TSN)
Saskatchewan (4-4) should be riding high after its win over Calgary. A stellar defensive performance overshadowed Jordan Williams-Lambert recording 10 catches for 152 yards for the Riders. B.C. (3-5) couldn’t make a 10-point half-time lead stick last week in Toronto. At least the Lions are at home given their dismal 0-5 road record. Prediction: Saskatchewan
RECORD
Last week (1-3), overall (24-14)