The Hamilton Tiger-Cats can move themselves into a playoff spot with a victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Friday night at McMahon Stadium.
Hamilton escaped with a critical 18-14 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thanksgiving weekend, pulling themselves to within two points of the Riders, who currently hold the final playoff spot in the East Division through the crossover. With the Roughriders on a bye this week, the Ticats have an opportunity to advance their playoff standing.
Calgary, who secured their 17th straight playoff appearance in Week 16, are currently jockeying for second place in the West Division with the BC Lions. The two teams are deadlocked with 20 points and each have three games remaining in the season.
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Dane Evans will lead the team under centre in Friday’s contest. In the previous matchup with the Calgary Stampeders, Evans attempted 51 passes, his highest total of the season, completing 70.6 per cent for 425 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-30 overtime loss in Week 2.
As of late Evans has been playing consistent football for the Ticats. Over his last three games the Hamilton pivot has completed 58 of his 85 passing attempts for 829 yards and five touchdowns. However, Evans’ five touchdowns all came in Week 15 and the Hamilton passing attack has failed to score through the air over their last two games.
Fortunately the Hamilton offence will see the return of receiver Steven Dunbar Jr. in Week 19. Dunbar has been one of the top targets for Evans throughout the season, his 869 receiving yards are second on the team. With six touchdown receptions this season Dunbar joins Tim White as the only other Tabbies pass-catcher with multiple touchdown receptions.
The Ticats have struggled to find consistency on the ground this season and have averaged just 87.1 yards per game through 18 weeks of play. But the team may have found their solution in running back Wes Hills who has been dominant on the ground for the Black and Gold.
Hills led the Ticats in their win over Saskatchewan, carrying the ball 25 times for 132 yards in the game. Over his last three games played Hills has 45 rushing attempts for 251 yards and a score, while averaging 5.6 yards per carry.
The Tiger-Cats running back has been waiting for an opportunity to display his talents, and explained to team media that while he has now been given the opportunity, he can’t get complacent in his play.
“One thing the Hamilton Tiger-Cats have taught me is patience,” Hills told Ticats.com. “From being here two years and waiting for an opportunity, it’s kept me hungry. It kept me wanting to get out there and show them what I can do and keep me around. I’m just going out there and giving it my all every play and let the cards fall where they may.”
The Tabbies defence has allowed 398 points through 15 games, but are coming off a stellar performance against the Roughriders in Week 18, recording seven sacks, two interceptions and forced a fumble in the game.
Watch the game live here PPV. Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ Calgary Stampeders, Oct. 15, 03:45 CET (3:45 am, 9:45 pm ET, Oct. 14)
Defensive end Malik Carney led the Hamilton defence with three sacks to himself, entering the matchup against the Stampeders, Carney and the Hamilton defence will face one of the most cohesive offensive line units in the league. The Stampeders have done a phenomenal job of protecting their quarterback through 2022, allowing a league-low 13 sacks.
The Ticats secondary have also done a good job of creating turnovers through the air this season, their 16 interceptions is tied for third most in the league, trailing only Calgary and Toronto. However, the Stampeders have shown to be effective at protecting the ball this season, quarterback Jake Maier has thrown just four interceptions since taking over as the team’s starting quarterback in Week 11.
In addition to evading the opposing secondary, Maier has been effective at creating score zone opportunities for his offence. The Stamps pivot has completed 75.7 per cent of his passing attempts and has thrown 10 touchdowns this season.
Unfortunately for Maier and the Stamps passing offence, leading receiver Malik Henry will be out of Friday’s contest, though there are still plenty of playmakers at the receiver position for the Stamps offence.
Reggie Begelton currently has 807 receiving yards and his five receiving touchdowns are the second most on the team. While the likes of Luther Hakunavanhu, Shawn Bane and Jalen Philpot have combined for 719 yards and six touchdowns.
Running back Ka’Deem Carey remains the league rushing leader despite his team being on a bye last week and only playing 12 games this season. The Calgary back has carried the ball 141 times this season for 949 yards and an average of 6.7 yards per carry. Carry also leads all running backs with nine touchdowns and 11 runs of 20 yards or more.
The Stampeders defence has shown to be an aggressive unit this season, taking pride in limiting opposing opportunities. In their Week 17 win over the Toronto Argonauts, Calgary held Toronto to just two-points and forced quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson into one of his worst statistical outings of the season.
Calgary’s secondary has also been firing on all cylinders in their recent games, giving up just 422 passing yards and 13 points in their last two games.
Linebacker Cameron Judge has been a dominant force all season for the Calgary defensive unit. He has accumulated 70 defensive tackles three sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Most recently the veteran linebacker aided in the win over Toronto scoring his second touchdown of the season on a 71-yard interception return.
Speaking to team media this week, Calgary head coach Craig Dickenson placed emphasis on building as a team and continuing to build on the momentum the team had prior to their bye week.
“We need to get back on our schedule and get back to doing the things we were doing before the bye,” Dickenson told stampeders.com. “I felt like our team was building and growing and I want to keep that going. I’m concerned with getting better as a team. I want our team to feel like their playing their best football heading into the playoffs”
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