The Ottawa REDBLACKS look to continue their impressive 2024 season as they host the struggling BC Lions, who look to avoid their fifth straight loss.
The REDBLACKS and Lions enter this back-to-back situation at a crossroads in their respective seasons. The REDBLACKS can solidify themselves as the second-best team in the CFL behind the Alouettes with two wins while the BC Lions are looking to get their season back on track.
The West Division is currently wide open, The Saskatchewan Roughriders are winless in five games, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have won three in a row, and the Calgary Stampeders are on their bye-week on a mini two game losing streak.
A Lions win would put them first in the West Division while a loss puts them third behind Winnipeg and only a game ahead of the Stampeders.
A REDBLACKS win due to the tie vs Saskatchewan, would put them back into a 1.5 game lead for 2nd in the East.
Quick Passes:
It is the All-Decade Team Game. With Rick Campbell in Ottawa, the REDBLACKS will welcome players from their all-decade team.
Dru Brown is expected to start for the Ottawa REDBLACKS. Brown missed their week 11 win over the Calgary Stampeders due to an ankle injury. Jeremiah Masoli will be QB2 (2nd String Quarterback) and Dustin Crum will handle short yardage work.
Nathan Rourke is expected to get his second start since returning to the CFL. He went 8/25 for 126 yards and two interceptions in a 20-11 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Ryquell Armstead needs 53-yards to be the fourth running back this season to hit 600 rushing yards.
Dru Brown needs 64 yards to reach 2,000 passing yards.
Justin Hardy needs 10 yards to reach 700 receiving yards.
Kene Onyeka gets the start at defensive end. He replaces injured Bryce Carter.
3 Keys to Victory
Establish the run game early
The BC Lions run defence has been one of the worst in the league throughout the season. They enter week 12 averaging 102.6 rush yards against per game, 3rd worst in the league. Over the team’s four game losing streak, they have given up an average of 131 rushing yards.
Ottawa has been one of the better running teams in the league, led by Armstead the REDBLACKS are averaging 99.8 rushing yards per game.
Force BC to move the ball around
Nathan Rourke return to the CFL last week did not go as planned but he was coming off only three days of practice after being away from the CFL Game for a year and a half.
The Lions have two of the top three receivers in the league right now, Justin McInnis leads the league in receiving yards with 875 and Alexander Hollins is third with 774 receiving yards.
Outside of those two, there is a serious drop off in production for the Lions, Ayden Eberhardt is third in receiving yards on the team with 330 and running back William Stanback is fourth with 221.
Jevon Cottoy isn’t having the season we are used too, he has 180 yards in only 7 games and Hatcher has been getting up to speed since coming back from his Achillies injury with 108 yards in 3 games.
Ottawa defence will need to force Rourke to move the ball to his 3rd or 4th read and continue to keep the ball in front of them. Ottawa pass defence enters week 12 third in the league, averaging only 263.9 passing yards given up per game.
Win the Sack Battle
Both offensive lines have struggled to keep their Quarterbacks upright this season. The Lions have given up 21 sacks (3rd most) and the REDBLACKS have given up 23 sacks (T-1st most).
Lions defence have been able to get to the quarterback often this season, averaging 2.2 sacks per game, they entered week 12 second in the league with 22 sacks. Ottawa is averaging 1.88 sacks per game.
Both clubs are out key players on their defensive line, Lions Pete Robertson is out and was added to the six-game injured list. REDBLACKS Bryce Carter is out and is on the one-game injured list.
Stat Padding Highlight
Entering Week 12, the Ottawa REDBLACKS have statistically a top three defence in the CFL. Ottawa has only played 9 games through the first 11 weeks of the season.
Pass Yards Given up – 2375 (3rd)
Opponent Completion Percentage – 67.5% (2nd)
Opponent Pass Efficiency – 90.2 (4th)
Rush Yards given up – 712 (3rd)
Total Yards Given up – 2976 (2nd)
Points Allowed – 218 (3rd)
Betting Lines Powered by BET99
- Ottawa REDBLACKS Money Line +100
- Over 51.5 Total Points +105
- Ottawa REDBLACKS Over 24.5 Total Points -105
3-Leg Parlay +280