If the offence finds its stride, this will be a dangerous playoff team. And it’s hard to imagine things get a lot better against a Stampeders defence that’s very, very good. Their offence has often struggled they’ve failed to do in six of 11 games. Picking against the Redblacks has been a formula for success for much of 2021. Two weeks later, though, Thomas is back on the practice roster … Stamps offensive lineman Ucambre Williams is listed as a game-time decision, but he won’t play. They have just one less win and hold the tiebreaker over the Saskatchewan Roughriders … With a 101-yard score, Roc Thomas, in his first CFL game, gave the Stamps got their first kickoff return touchdown since Aug. The Stampeders retain a decent chance to host one for the ninth straight year (CFL record: 13 in a row). in 1954 (11 TDs in 16 games) have averaged less than one per game … Calgary has hosted a playoff game in each of the past eight seasons. Only Saskatchewan in 1979 (15 TDs in 16 games) and B.C. NOTEWORTHY It’ll be the 100th CFL game for two Redblacks: defensive lineman Cleyon Laing and running back/special-teamer Brendan Gillanders … Ottawa has scored just nine times on offence in 164 possessions across 11 games. On the back end of Ottawa’s defence, starters Antoine Pruneau, Sherrod Baltimore and Don Unamba are out, so it could be an opportunity for Mitchell to get back on track. Mitchell needs 14 passing yards to reach 30,000 in his career he’d become the 18th CFL player to do so, with B.C.’s Michael Reilly (33,845) the only other active member of the list. Still, the veteran keeps pushing himself up all-time lists. Redblacks defence How will it go for Bo? He’s already thrown a league-leading 13 interceptions (four more than anybody else) - the most he had in a previous season was 14 in 2018. KEY MATCHUP Stampeders QB Bo Levi Mitchell vs. Especially impressive: Thirteen of his punts have held opponents inside their 10-yard line. Punter Richie Leone leads the CFL in net punting average at 41.4 yards. He has made his last 21 attempts inside 47 yards.
Ward, of course, set a pro football record of 69 straight in 2018-19. Kicker Lewis Ward has stretched his current streak to 12 straight field goals made. JUST FOR KICKS: One thing the Redblacks don’t have issues with is kicking and punting. He agreed to re-join the Stampeders a week and a half ago. The 29-year-old was very good for the Stamps in 2018-19, then spent two years chasing his NFL dream. TRE GOOD: Cornerback Tre Roberson makes his season debut for Calgary. Sindani has been targeted 12 times over the past two games and has caught all 12. Jorden holds the longest active reception streak for Calgary at 34 games, while Ambles is next at 26. CATCHING ON: It’s been a while (since Week 6), but Calgary’s starting five receivers - Markeith Ambles, Josh Huff, Kamar Jorden, Richie Sindani and Hergy Mayala - are finally back together. Calgary has allowed a league-best 5.5 yards per return (the longest is 16), while Ottawa is next best at 7.4 yards per return (the longest is 21). One thing both Calgary and Ottawa do well: limit yards on punt returns. In sacks, the Stampeders are on the other side, allowing just 17 (second-best in the nine-team league, behind Winnipeg with 14). THE NUMBERS: Wondering why the Redblacks have been so bad in 2021? They’re ranked last in the CFL in way too many things, including sacks (41), two-and-outs (79), time of possession (26:55) and turnovers made (34). Hodges, who started six games for the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, completed eight of 16 passes for 49 yards, with an interceptions in his CFL debut last week in Hamilton after replacing Evans (12-for-15 for 138 yards with two interceptions). GAME DAY: Calgary Stampeders at Ottawa RedblacksĬalgary Stampeders (5-6) at Ottawa Redblacks (2-9) FIVE THINGS to WATCH OTTAWA’S 1-2 PUNCH: With Caleb Evans listed as Ottawa’s starting QB for Friday’s game, it’ll be interesting to see how many reps No. National Capital Region's Top Employers.