TORONTO — Round 2 of the Battle of the QEW goes Saturday night as the Toronto Argonauts host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at BMO Field.
Hamilton took the first meeting, 24-23, back in Week 7 and are riding the momentum of a win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders last Saturday.
Toronto is trying to rebound from a 42-12 loss to Edmonton.
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HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
1. BACK TO YOU, TRE FORD
Give him credit, quarterback Tre Ford took full advantage of his opportunity after Harrison Frost exited with an injury versus the Riders, completing 13-of-17 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown. The effort earns him a start this week, where he’ll try to build on his past performance against the Argos that saw him complete 21 passes for 218 yards.
2. CALLING KENNY LAWLER
Regardless of who’s under centre, their ability to find receiver Kenny Lawler is critical to the offensive output. Lawler struggled to get into a groove against the Roughriders and was held to two catches for 34 yards the first time against the Argos. It all has the makings of a redemption game.
3. DEFENCE
It certainly appears much of the Ticats’ team success is dependent on their defence, and that’s not a bad thing. Linebacker Reggie Stubblefield enters play on Saturday with 51 defensive tackles, defensive lineman Philip Ossai has five sacks and defensive back Stavros Katsantonis has recorded four interceptions. That’s layers of talent the Argos’ offence has to find a way through.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
1. THE TURNOVERS
It’s getting redundant but it’s still worth mentioning, the Argos can’t afford to turn the ball over at the rate they have been. It starts with quarterback Chad Kelly, who will see a defence coming off a strong performance and has weapons to make for a long night for opposing offences.
2. SPREAD THE FIELD
Multiple of Damonte Coxie, Kevin Mital, David Ungerer III and Tyler Kahmann will have to play well to combat the strength of the Ticats defence. It’s their job to create separation and get open, and Kelly’s job to find them.
3. CONTAINMENT
Not only will containing Ford keep him from using his legs, it will force him to throw the football downfield against an Argos secondary with 15 interceptions. Defensive back Benjie Franklin leads the way with three.
NEED TO KNOW:
- Wynton McManis will play his first game at BMO Field after four seasons and two Grey Cups with Toronto.
- Kelly is 4-3 against Hamilton. In the teams’ first matchup, he passed for 322 yards and a touchdown; he is 192 yards from 10,000.
- Ford is a career 2-1 against Toronto.
- Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET, and can be watched on TSN in Canada, or on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.
