The battle for top spot in the CFL moves into Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium Friday night as the 4-0 Edmonton Eskimos play host to the 4-1 BC Lions.
The Eskimos and Lions are both unbeaten in four games with the Lions only loss (30-27) coming at home at the hands of Edmonton in the opening game of the season.
Without question this is an important game, maybe the most important of the young season for both clubs. Another win by Edmonton over the Lions would give them a big leg up in the standings should the teams be tied at the end of the season. A win by BC would not only avenge the earlier loss but also give the Lions a slight edge.
However Lions head coach Wally Buono is a master at putting things into perspective:
“It’s not just another game and it’s not more than game number six. Whether it’s Edmonton or whoever else you’re playing, they’re all physical, they’re all tough. The league this year is as balanced as it’s been in many, many years. Edmonton has a very good football team, they’ve played hard, they’ve had their ups and downs in games, but they’ve always found a way to win. When you look at our team we’re not much different.”
Edmonton prevailed 30-27 in the Lions season opener at BC Place and has won their four games by a combined total of 12 points. That tells you just how razor thin these teams are when you separate them.
The Lions did some good things in that game and managed to erase a ten-point 4th quarter deficit before Eskimo kicker Sean Whyte’s winning field goal as time expired. The real dagger came when Edmonton QB Mike Reilly connected with Brandon Zylstra on a 76-yard yard completion to set them up in field goal range in the dying seconds.
Reilly will once again be without his favorite target Adarius Bowman due to injury. The Eskimos still have some formidable weapons to use such as Zystra, Vidal Hazelton and D’haquille Williams.
Running back Travon Van has rushed for 210 yards in the two games since taking over for the injured John White.
As far as injury updates go for the visitors, Emmanuel Arceneaux is expected to dress after taking limited reps. in practice to rest up lingering shoulder and leg problems. Maurice Morgan has been added to the roster as a precaution and will back up Arceneaux at his inside slot position.
Edmonton Eskimos’ John White, top, is upended by B.C. Lions’ Loucheiz Purifoy as he carries the ball during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, June 24, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Lulay’s performances have helped the Lions climb into first overall in the following categories: Offensive points (164), offensive touchdowns (17, tied with Ottawa), rushing touchdowns (10), and net offence (2027 yards, 405.4 average per game). Perhaps the most impressive? They remain on top in average time of possession ( 32:00 per game), which tells you just how good they have been at sustaining drives and keeping the defence fresh.
Edmonton has won the last four meetings against the Lions at Commonwealth, the last loss coming in Lulay’s matchup against Reilly on July 13th, 2013. Lulay had both a running and passing touchdown in that rain soaked affair.
The lone visit to Edmonton last year was a tight, 27-23 loss where Arceneaux led the way with 164 yards and two touchdown grabs.
The Lions offense has averaged a league-best 405.4 yards a game while Edmonton defense has been the stingiest giving up 307.5.
Lions RB Jeremiah Johnson is the second leading rusher in the CFL with his 313 yards and a league-leading five rushing touchdowns while Edmonton’s Travon Van occupies fifth spot with 210 yards in four games.
Edmonton’s defense leads the league in fewest yards allowed in the air but is a league-worst against the run. The Lions pass defense is ranked fifth and their rush defense sixth.
In other words, there is not much separating the two teams.
Source: Matt Baker, BC Lions
AFI, Yare Media and the CFL
American Football International is collaborating with Yare Media and the Canadian Football League to present 2017 CFL games live. This is more than a livestream. This is a stream of the top flight TSN network television broadcast.
If you can’t watch it live, each game is available for 48 hours after the original broadcast.
LIVE STREAM PPV: CFL – BC Lions @Edmonton Eskimos Fri. July 28 9:30p EDT (3:30a July 29 CEST)