The Ottawa REDBLACKS are playing for pride at TD Place Friday evening when they welcome the Toronto Argonauts. Ottawa’s final regular season game gets underway at 7:30 p.m.
The REDBLACKS (10-7) have clinched the East Division regular season crown thanks to back-to-back wins over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. With the first-round bye secure, Rick Campbell has elected to rest several of his veteran players.
Ottawa will be looking to exact revenge, however. The Argonauts mounted a furious comeback at BMO Field in their first meeting this season, eventually prevailing on the last offensive play of the game.
Toronto (4-13, 4th in East Division) have been well out of playoff contention for weeks and were beaten by the Montreal Alouettes in a 40-10 blowout last Sunday.
STORYLINES
Vets sitting – The REDBLACKS announced that many key players would get the game off. Trevor Harris, William Powell, Greg Ellingson, Brad Sinopoli, Diontae Spencer and SirVincent Rogers will all be rested.
Davis/Collins at the helm – Dominique Davis is slated to get the start for Ottawa. He has thrown only five passes since the month of August. Danny Collins will get some playing time in the second half.
Defence Dominant – The REDBLACK defence didn’t allow a touchdown to the Tiger-Cats last week. Hamilton settled for four field goals and Ottawa conceded a safety.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Argonauts haven’t been the same since Ricky Ray was injured early in the season, and are well off their Grey Cup-winning form of a year ago.
James Franklin, Ray’s heir-apparent, has failed to impress under centre. The 27-year-old hasn’t thrown for over 300 yards yet this season, although his five touchdown passes in the last four games is promising.
Franklin did set the Argonauts franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a season by a quarterback (14), breaking the mark set by Doug Flutie.
Toronto’s running game has also been quiet. James Wilder Jr. is well off the pace that saw him win the CFL’s Rookie of the Year Award last season. With Wilder banged up, former Ole Miss standout Dexter McCluster has been shouldering the bulk of the workload.
The ageless S.J. Green is only 19 yards shy of a fifth career 1,000-yard receiving season. Apart from Green and Armanti Edwards, the rest of the Argos receiving corps has been quiet. Duron Carter was added midway through the season, but simply hasn’t been seeing the ball.
Toronto’s defence was poor in 2018 – they gave up the most points (31.5/game) and notched the fewest sacks and interceptions. Shawn Lemon has had a banner season on the Argos defensive line, but his 11 sacks have not been enough for the Boatmen.
GAME INFO
Ottawa REDBLACKS vs Toronto Argonauts | Week 21 – November 2, 2018
Kickoff – 7:30 p.m. | TD Place
BROADCAST INFO
TV (EN): TSN | Online: TSN.ca/LIVE / TSN GO
TV (FR): RDS 2
TV: (Int’l): ESPN + | BT Sport (UK/Ireland)
Radio (EN): TSN 1200 | TSN1200.ca
Radio (FR): fm 104,7 | FM1047.ca
