ESKIMOS WILL GIVE LIONS A STERN TEST IN THE DEN
With injury returnees on both sides, expect a close matchup, writes J.J. Adams.
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH TONIGHT
1.
Take your shot
Offensively, the B.C. Lions have been prone to leaving points on the field, something that has vexed head coach Wally Buono. “If you look at the early part of the (Calgary) game ... we could have easily scored 24 points. Instead of kicking field goals score touchdowns, and don’t let the momentum get away from you, which we did.”
2.
Trench warfare
It’s a game of capture the flag: Who can get to the quarterback the best? The Eskimos are tied for the league lead with 17 sacks, while the Lions have 10. But while Edmonton saw Mike Reilly taken down four times against Saskatchewan — they’ve surrendered eight on the year — the Lions have seen Travis Lulay sacked just once in the three games he’s started, and none in the past two. Their 11 previous sacks were on Jonathon Jennings, who took most of those on unsuccessful designed QB runs.
3.
Flag football
The Lions’ problems with penalties have been well-documented, but the Eskimos have had their own issues. Edmonton leads the CFL in total penalties (81), accepted penalties against (70) and total penalty yardage (763), the latter number working out to a whopping 109 yards per game.
4.
Over the top
Big first downs equal big second-down plays. Edmonton is averaging a league-best 7.7 yards on first down, making things easier for Reilly to take his shots down the field, where he’s 24-for-48 for 892 yards — more than 200 yards more than the next closest QB — and nine touchdowns.
But the knife cuts both ways. B.C.’s receiving corps can take advantage of a defence that has been torched for the most 30-plus-yard pass plays (15), aside from the 1-6 Montreal Alouettes (16).
Travis Lulay’s no slouch either, going 11-for-30 for 384 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in three games.
5.
Home cooking
All four B.C. losses have come on the road, and the two wins — the season-opener over Montreal and a Week 3 rally to beat Winnipeg — count as the two wins. Edmonton needed a crazy 22-point rally and four touchdowns from Reilly to win their last game at B.C. Place Stadium, a 35-29 overtime victory.
INSIDE THE GAME
Both teams will get stronger where they were already solid thanks to some injury returnees.
B.C.’s Hunter Steward returns from a four-game absence after injuring his back against Edmonton on the road, bolstering an offensive line Buono says is one of his best.
“I think it’s as good as it’s been since we won the Grey Cup in 2011,” the Lions’ coach said.
Lineman Mike Moore should be back for Edmonton’s already formidable defensive line, as the Esks released D -lineman Gerald Rivers earlier this week.
KEY MATCHUP
WR Derel Walker vs. CB Anthony Orange
The CFL’s leading receiver, Duke Williams will get a lot of attention from the B.C. secondary, but that’s going to leave Derel Walker in a whole lot of one-on-one opportunities against cornerback Anthony Orange.
Williams is third in CFL receiving yards and has five touchdowns, one of which was his 101yard highlight-reel touchdown in Week 1.
The Lions can’t cover all of the Esks’ receiving threats — they have three players in the CFL top 10 — and Reilly loves to go deep.
J.J.’S TAKE
The Lions may have their flaws, but they are close to putting together a complete game.
A few plays go their way in Calgary, and they would have knocked off the undefeated Stampeders.
Their confidence carries over at home in a shootout.
Prediction: 38-35, Lions