A Grey Cup berth is at stake when the Ottawa REDBLACKS take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Final Sunday afternoon. The REDBLACKS will have home field advantage and RNation behind them, as kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. at TD Place. Great seats are still available by clicking here.
The REDBLACKS (11-7) won the regular season East crown and come in to the matchup on a three-game winning streak.
Ottawa has dominated the Tiger-Cats this season, sweeping the three-game season series with an 86-59 combined score. The Tabbies did make the REDBLACKS work for it in Week 19, but a furious second-half comeback saw Ottawa emerge 35-31 victors.
Hamilton (8-10, second in East) defeated the B.C. Lions in the Eastern Semi-Final last week by a score of 48-8. Despite a record below .500, the Tiger-Cats hosted a playoff game, although the location of last week’s game probably didn’t play a factor in the drubbing.
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STORYLINES
Uncharted territory – Ottawa is looking to beat the Tiger-Cats for the fourth time this season. The franchise has never beaten an opponent four times – an incredibly difficult and rare feat.
You again? – The REDBLACKS first East Final was against the Tiger-Cats in 2015. A thrilling, late connection from Henry Burris to Greg Ellingson helped Ottawa to a 35-28 win in front of their home fans.
RNation Plaid Up – Fans are encouraged to dress in plaid for Sunday’s game to support the REDBLACKS. The warmer the better – football weather is expected, with the forecast calling for -5 degrees and sunny at kickoff.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Tabbies have done well this season despite a plethora of injuries. Playmaker Brandon Banks was the latest Tiger-Cat to join the injury reserve, as he was declared out for the season following the team’s Week 19 loss to the REDBLACKS.
Already done for the season are fellow receivers Chris Williams, Jalen Saunders and Terrence Toliver.
In his teammates’ absence, receiver Luke Tasker has stepped up. The six-year veteran put together his third career 1,000-yard season, while also setting a career-high with 11 receiving touchdowns. Tasker went off in the Eastern Semi-Final, hauling in two touchdowns.
Hamilton also added long time Calgary Stampeder Marquay McDaniel. However, McDaniel doesn’t have good memories of TD Place – he lost the Grey Cup with the Stampeders last year in Ottawa.
Jeremiah Masoli silenced the critics last week. The knock on Masoli was that he couldn’t win big games, but his three-touchdown performance against the Lions put an end to that discussion. He will need to follow it up against a stingy REDBLACKS defence.
Defensively, Hamilton has been middle-of-the-pack this season, allowing the fifth-most points in the league. Their linebacking trio of Larry Dean, Simoni Lawrence and Don Unamba is solid, but the Tiger-Cats had the second-fewest sacks in 2018.
Ottawa has the advantage in the kicking game. Lirim Hajrullahu is 85% on field goals this season, while Lewis Ward is at 98% percent.
GAME INFO
Ottawa REDBLACKS vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats | East Final – November 18, 2018
Kickoff – 1:00 p.m. | TD Place
BROADCASTING INFO
TV (EN): TSN | Online: TSN.ca/LIVE / TSN GO
TV (FR): RDS
TV: (US): ESPN News
TV: (Int’l) BT Sports ESPN, Kwese, Watch ESPN, ESPN Play
Radio (EN): TSN 1200 | TSN1200.ca
Radio (FR): fm 104,7 | FM1047.ca
