Injury-riddled Stamps could be ripe for an upset
KEY MATCHUP
Lions SB Bryan Burnham vs. Stamps HB Brandon Smith
It won’t only be Smith who is tasked with stopping Burnham, but there’s never a bad time to highlight Smith’s importance to the Stampeders. He’s been playing at an all-star level this season, just like he’s been doing for years. Burnham is dangerous, though, and he can definitely hurt the Stamps.
THINGS TO WATCH
1 Crisis On Thursday, the Stampeders announced that Marken Michel was their latest receiver to be placed on the six-game injured list.
Four of their top five American receivers are out long-term, and there’s a possibility that Eric Rogers won’t play today because he’s in California for the birth of his second child. The Stampeders have done a good job of dealing with the rash of injuries, but the offence wasn’t clicking with its usual efficiency in last weekend’s victory over the Montreal Alouettes.
2 In their hands For the Lions, every game is a must-win from here on out.
Their 7-7 record has them narrowly ahead of the Edmonton Eskimos for a playoff spot, but they don’t have much breathing room and have to face the Stamps twice in their final four games.
They’re not making the postseason if they don’t win at least one of those contests.
3 All about Wally Unless the Lions make the West Division Final — which is entirely possible — today will mark Wally Buono’s final game in Calgary.
Buono guided the Stampeders to three Grey Cups as head coach.
He’s been gone a long time — he left in 2003 — but expect him to get a hero’s welcome today.