STREAMING CFL PPV: BC Lions @ Toronto Argonauts, Oct. 8, 22:00 CET (10 pm, 4 pm ET)
TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts will look to extend their lead in the East Division as they welcome the BC Lions to BMO Field to kick off a Saturday doubleheader for the CFL’s Thanksgiving weekend presented by Purolator.
Toronto fell to 8-6 after a 29-2 loss to the Calgary Stampeders in Week 17, allowing the Montreal Alouettes to come within two points of the division lead. However, Toronto has a game in hand over the Als after a Week 1 win.
The Lions and Calgary Stampeders are deadlocked for second place in the West Division with 20 points each, but the Lions hold the advantage with two wins over the division rivals this season.
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In Week 17, the Argonauts suffered what was statistically one of their worst offensive performances of the season. Toronto quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson was held under 200 passing yards for just the second time and the Boatmen were held to 296 yards of total offence, below their season average of 342.2 yards per game.
The only other game where the Toronto pivot was held under under 200 yards in the air came against the Lions in Week 3. However, Bethel-Thompson has proven to be one of the be passers in the league this year, having completed nearly 70 per cent of his passes and throwing for 3,866 yards, second behind only Winnipeg’s Zach Collaros.
Ahead of Saturday’s matchup, Bethel-Thompson took onus for the Week 17 loss, and knows his offence has the potential to affect a different outcome over the holiday weekend.
“We know we can move the ball,” Bethel-Thompson told Argonauts.com. “I have broad shoulders. We have four more games to make it right. Everything we want this season is still in front of us. I know we’re going to score a lot more than two points in the coming weeks and we’ll make it right.”
Watch the game live here PPV. BC Lions @ Toronto Argonauts, Oct. 8, 22:00 CET (10 pm, 4 pm ET)
Receiver DaVaris Daniels has become one of the most reliable set of hands for the Argos this season, but will miss Saturday’s contest with an injury. Despite the absence of Daniels, Bethel-Thompson will still have plenty of playmakers to help move the ball downfield.
Kurleigh Gittens Jr. leads all Toronto pass-catchers with 836 yards this season and his tied for the team lead with four touchdowns. While the likes of Markeith Ambles, Brandon Banks and Cam Phillips have combined for 1,408 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Double Blue passing attack.
Running back A.J. Ouellette continues to be a bright spot for the Toronto offence. In Week 17 he rushed for 66 yards, averaging 7.6 yards per carry and has carried the ball 63 times for 289 yards and a touchdown on the year.
As a defensive unit the Argos have been one of the most aggressive teams around the ball this year, forcing a league-leading 39 turnovers. The Toronto secondary have recorded the most interceptions with 24 and the defence has forced nine fumbles.
However, the Argos front-seven will be without two impactful players for Thanksgiving weekend as defensive lineman Shane Ray and linebacker Wynton McManis each suffered injuries in Week 17.
The Argos will be facing a slightly different Lions offence from the one they matched up with in Week 3. Vernon Adams Jr. will be leading the charge under centre in Saturday’s contest. Since joining the Leos, Adams Jr. has thrown for 767 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite the recent play from Adams, he will be without two of the team’s biggest receiving threats. Bryan Burnham has been placed on the six-game injured list, while Lucky Whitehead was ruled out for Saturday after suffering an injury in Week 17.
Dominique Rhymes leads all CFL receivers with 1,165 yards this season and is responsible for 10 scores. He was also the leading receiver for the Lions in their win over Calgary a week ago as he reeled in 103 yards on five receptions.
Playmakers Keon Hatcher and Jevon Cottoy have also been impactful in the Lions passing game, combing for six touchdowns this season. Hatcher is third in receiving yards amongst BC pass-catchers with 867 yards this season, while Cottoy has reeled in 451 yards.
The offensive line, anchored by Phillip Norman, Joel Figueroa and Peter Godber, will be relied upon to create space for not only their quarterback, but the Lions ground game. Running back James Butler is third in the league with 727 rushing yards, while Adams has accumulated 81 yards on eight carries since joining the team.
Norman knows his team will be in tough against an Argos defence that has allowed the fourth fewest rushing yards per game.
“They’re defence stays pretty consistent with how they play the run and the pass,” Norman told BCLions.com. “If we can get the ball rolling on the ground, it opens things up for Adams Jr. and the passing game, our receivers and all the weapons we have. Butler is such a dynamic running back, we know once he gets going it makes everything easier for us in the blocking game, as well.”
The Lions defence have also been one of the best at limiting opportunities for opposing teams, leading the league in net offence allowed. An integral part of their success has been their ability to limit teams conversion rate on second down. Opposing offences manage to convert just 42.4 per cent, additionally the Lions have fielded the second most punts this season.
Defensive lineman David Menard had two sacks in their win over Ottawa in Week 17 and will look to help provide pressure for an aggressive BC front-seven. Toronto has allowed 38 sacks this season and McLeod Bethel-Thompson has thrown 14 interceptions.
The pass-rush of the Lions should help to create disruption on timing throws, giving the Lions secondary an opportunity to generate turnovers. Garry Peters recorded his team leading fifth interception in Week 17 and is one away from tying Argo defensive back Jamal Peters for the league lead.
With a win in Toronto the Lions can improve their impressive road record to 6-1, while helping to tightening their hold over second place in the West Division.
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Watch the game live here PPV. BC Lions @ Toronto Argonauts, Oct. 8, 22:00 CET (10 pm, 4 pm ET)
