To kick off Friday Night Football action in the CFL the Calgary Stampeders travel to the nation’s capital to take on the Ottawa REDBLACKS for the first and only time in the regular season.
Calgary enters Week 13 coming off a narrow 20-17 loss to the division rival Saskatchewan Roughriders, giving the Stamps their first loss since their match up with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 7.
Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell put together an admirable performance in Week 12, completing 21 passes for 311 yards and a touchdown. However, it was the three interceptions from the Calgary pivot that helped the Green and White edge a victory.
As good as the Calgary offence has been looked throughout the 2021 season, they have seemingly been haunted by interceptions, having thrown the second most in the league with 15 on the season.
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Despite their turnover struggles, the Red and White have managed to become one of the hottest teams in the league over the recent weeks. Since the return of Mitchell, the Stamps have won four of their last six games after starting the season with a 1-4 record.
In the six games played since his return, Mitchell has completed 63 per cent of his passes, connecting on 118 of his 186 attempts, totalling 1,507 passing yards and six passing touchdowns.
Entering Friday’s matchup against the REDBLACKS, the Calgary signal caller needs just 14 yards to reach 30,000 career passing yards. Mitchell would become just the 18th quarterback in CFL history to reach the milestone.
As Mitchell approaches the 30,000-yard mark, he can certainty feel comfortable in third year receiver Richie Sindani providing a reliable set of hands.
Over his last two games, Sindani has seen a significant uptake in targets and has made the most of his opportunities. He has been most targeted passing option over the last two games, catching each of his 12 targets and turning 114 yards and a touchdown.
Entering Week 13, the REDBLACKS will be looking to mimic the offensive efficiency of the Calgary passing attack. In their 32-3 loss against the Ticats, Ottawa was able to muster just 187 passing yards between two quarterbacks.
Though Week 12 did provide the REDBLACKS and their fans with an opportunity to see newly acquired, Devlin “Duck” Hodges take his first snaps as a quarterback in the CFL. Hodges completed eight of his 16 passing attempts, throwing for 49 yards and an interception. The former Pittsburgh Steeler also added 13 yards rushing on five carries.
It was certainly not the most glamorous of debuts for the first year CFLer, however, the positive in this for both Ottawa and Hodges are that he was able to take meaningful snaps and get a sense of what it is like to quarterback a the CFL level.
No matter who is under centre for the REDBLACKS on Friday, finding offensive rhythm and consistency in the passing game must be a priority in order to secure a win.
Ottawa has put the ball in the air 343 time on the season, enough for the third in the league, but they have completed just 61 per cent of passes and average a league low 208 passing yards per game.
Should the REDBLACKS be able to find some offensive rhythm in the passing game, they have a chance to exploit the weak point of the Calgary defence; their secondary.
The Stampeders defence has surrendered the most completions in the league and has allowed teams to pass for an average of 264.5 yards per game. Additionally, opposing quarterbacks average one of the highest efficiency ratings in the league, with a rating of 93.4 against the Stamps.
Luckily for Calgary, help is on the way in Tre Roberson. After Roberson signed with the Stamps last week, he will make his season debut on Friday.
The REDBLACKS passing attack has a chance to exploit a Calgary defence that has shown a tendency to struggle against creative passing schemes. For Ottawa, the recent play of Kenny Stafford may be just what they need in order to secure a win.
Stafford signed with the REDBLACKS in mid-September and officially suited up for Ottawa in Week 8. In his debut with the team the eight-year veteran has provided the Ottawa passing unit with the consistent play making it was seemingly longing for.
The wideout has now dressed in five games for Ottawa and has exploded as one of their top receiving options. Stafford has fielded 12 of his 18 targets, totalling 195 receiving yards and two touchdowns. His two receiving touchdowns are tied for the most by an Ottawa wide receiver this season.
The Calgary defence will need to be wary of Stafford and the Ottawa air attack should they hope to steal a win on the road at TD Stadium.
AFI, Visaic and the CFL
American Football International is collaborating with Visaic and the Canadian Football League to present 2021 CFL games live. This is more than a livestream. This is a stream of the top flight TSN network television broadcast.