The REDBLACKS and Stamps will renew what is becoming one of the CFL’s most compelling matchups on Thursday in Calgary. The teams have won each of their games this season by double-digit margins, and the franchises have not faced off in more than a calendar year.
The two teams have been incapable of playing an uninteresting football game over the last two years, starting with Ottawa winning the the 104th Grey Cup in overtime over the Stampeders in 2016. Last year, the teams played a home-and-home in the first two weeks of the regular season; the game in Ottawa ended in a tie, and the contest in Calgary saw the offences combine for 82 points in a four-point Stampeders victory.
Thursday’s matchup should be just as interesting, with both teams coming in undefeated. Calgary (2-0) have given up only two touchdowns this year, while Ottawa (1-0) beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders convincingly in week two.
STORYLINES
Two Defensive Stars – The two nominees for Most Outstanding Defensive Player will take the field at McMahon Stadium. Alex Singleton, who won the award, will be trying to silence Ottawa’s offence, while Kyries Hebert will be at linebacker for the REDBLACKS.
Battle in the trenches – Calgary’s defensive line will certainly be a handful for the REDBLACKS, as they lead the league with six sacks. However, Ottawa’s o-line was impenetrable against Saskatchewan, holding the Riders to no sacks.
Sustained success – The two franchises are no strangers to Grey Cup games. One of either Calgary or Ottawa have been at five of the last six Grey Cups, including each of the last four.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Calgary Stampeders have been the class of the CFL for the last few seasons and are showing no signs of slowing up in 2018.
Bo Levi Mitchell, who is atop the CFL’s Quarterback Index after week two, has a number of seasoned receivers to work with. Among them are familiar faces DaVaris Daniels, Kamar Jordan and Lamar Durant.
One major area of change for the Stampeders has been the running game. Jerome Messam left in the offseason, and head coach Dave Dickenson is now rolling with two backs who get relatively equal reps. Don Jackson is pacing the league in rushing yards, while Terry Williams is also a viable option and is a dangerous punt returner as well.
On the defensive side, Alex Singleton will certainly be a leader at linebacker. The defensive line also boasts weapons in Ja’Gared Davis, Micah Johnson and Cordarro Law, the latter of whom sat out the entire 2017 season with an injury.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“We won a home game in June and I hope our sights are bigger than that. It’s a long road ahead – we’ve got 17 more games. The good teams can take it one segment at a time. We’re going to play a good team on the road and that’s all we’re focused on right now.” – HC Rick Campbell
“We left a couple of plays out there [in week two]. There’s a lot of things we could have done better, but we got the win so that’s the important thing. [Calgary’s] just fundamentally sound. We have to take care of the ball, create on the little plays and we’ll be fine. – REC Diontae Spencer
GAME INFO
Ottawa REDBLACKS at Calgary Stampeders | Week 3 – June 28, 2018
Kickoff – 9:00 p.m. ET | McMahon Stadium
BROADCAST INFO
TV (EN): TSN | Online: TSN.ca/LIVE / TSN GO
TV (FR): RDS2
TV: (Int’l): ESPN3 | BT Sport (UK/Ireland)
Radio (EN): TSN 1200 | TSN1200.ca
Radio (FR): 104.7 FM Outaouais
