The defending Grey Cup champion Ottawa RedBlacks look to reverse a downward spiral when they take on the CFL’s only unbeaten team, the Edmonton Eskimos Thursday night at Ottawa’s TD Place stadium.
The 1-5-1 RedBlacks defeated Edmonton in both meetings in 2016 by scores of 45-37 and 23-20. In fact at this point last year, Ottawa had a record of 4-2-1. The 6-0 Eskimos were in the opposite situation with a record of 2-4.
However, this Ottawa team is not like any other with a similar record. They have lost each of their five games by four points or less. Meanwhile, Edmonton has won all but one game by a single score.
RedBlacks head coach Rick Campbell:
“What you have to do is keep your chin up and work. Nobody’s taken the bull by the horns in the East Division — it’s wide-open right now, it’s all there for the taking. I’ve seen some teams with our record that weren’t very good football teams, but I don’t think we fall in that category. We’re also not in the category of being a good football team yet, because those teams find ways to win, (but) we have a lot of the makings here.”
Despite its record, Ottawa retains the best point differential (minus-eight) in the CFL’s East Division. The REDBLACKS know that if they can find a way to get over a fourth-quarter mental hump, they can still very much compete in the inconsistent East.
Ottawa Redblacks player #28 (DB) Corey Tindal tries to get the ball away from Edmonton Eskimos player #81 (SB) D’haquille Williams during the 2nd quarter of CFL game action between the Edmonton Eskimo’s and the Ottawa Redblacks at the Brick Field located at Commonwealth stadium in Edmonton Friday, July 14 /2017. (CFL PHOTO Walter Tychnowicz- )
Edmonton winning despite injuries
The Eskimos have continued to find ways to win despite missing a number of starters on both sides of the ball; defensive captain J.C. Sherritt has been out since Week 1, while running backs John White and Travon Van — the latter a former REDBLACK — are also on the shelf with long-term injuries. Receiver Brandon Zylstra is also out for Edmonton.
Ottawa general manager Marcel Desjardins blamed turnovers as a major cause for Ottawa’s early-season struggles; protecting the ball will be critical on Thursday against an Eskimos team that ranks top-two in possession (32:34), sacks allowed (10) and offensive turnovers (6). In contrast, the REDBLACKS have allowed six more sacks and sit last in turnovers (13).
RedBlacks quarterback Trevor Harris continues to be among with leading passers in the league having thrown for 2,202 yards (2nd behind Ricky Ray) and a league-leading 14 TDs. The Esks offense is anchored by veteran quarterback Mike Reilly who has thrown 11 touchdowns to just two interceptions this season en route to a league second-best 94.5 QUAR rating.
Ottawa receiver Greg Ellingson leads the league with 702 yards in seven games while Edmonton’s receptions leader, Brandon Zylstra is out for this game. Vidal Hazelton will have to continue to step up in the Edmonton receiving corps. He has 33 catches for 453 yards and four touchdowns.
The key to this game could be pass defense. Edmonton has allowed the fewest passing yards in the league so far, 250.7, as well as the fewest passing attempts and completions. Harris will have to keep his head on a swivel. Eskimos defensive end Odell Willis leads the league in quarterback pressures with 16 and has five sacks.
Ottawa was the last team to beat the Eskimos. In a snow blizzard last November the RedBlacks defeated Edmonton in the East Final 35-23.
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.