They’ll have to reverse some disturbing trends to do it, but the 2-6 Ottawa Redblacks could be sitting in a playoff spot this weekend, the midway point of their CFL schedule. Read MoreRedblacks have won just six of 27 meetings and trail by more than 24 converted touchdowns (818-647) on the all-time scoreboard against Argos
Redblacks have won just six of 27 meetings and trail by more than 24 converted touchdowns (818-647) on the all-time scoreboard against Argos
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They’ll have to reverse some disturbing trends to do it, but the 2-6 Ottawa Redblacks could be sitting in a playoff spot this weekend, the midway point of their CFL schedule.
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That will be the case if the Hamilton Tiger-Cats extend their winning streak to seven games in a home tilt against the B.C. Lions on Thursday night and the Redblacks defeat the Toronto Argos at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon.
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The West Division’s fourth-place Lions, who dropped two games heading into last week’s bye, sit at 3-5 and would cross over by having more points than — not tied with — the third-place team in the East if the playoffs started today.
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Because of last Thursday’s slump-busting win over Calgary, that’s what is at stake when Ottawa takes on 2-6 Toronto.
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Of course, the Lions would retain the last playoff spot in the East even with a loss to the Tabbies, should the Redblacks and Argos play to a draw.
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While being in a playoff position halfway through the season doesn’t mean much, this game will carry much importance for head coach Bob Dyce’s team.
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It should be an indication of whether the Redblacks can become contenders or are pretenders this season.
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Ottawa will be looking to win back-to-back games for the first time in almost a full year — since a 31-29 triumph in Calgary last Aug. 15 was followed by a 34-27 home victory over the Lions nine days later.
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Oh yes, and then there’s the stretch of futility against Toronto.
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Including the 18-17 victory in their very first home game on July 18, 2014, the Redblacks have won just six of 27 meetings with the Argos.
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That includes just one win in their last nine, a 3-16 record in their last 19, a 2-12 mark in Toronto and more than a 24 converted touchdowns deficit (818-647) on the all-time scoreboard.
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It also includes a 29-16 loss at TD Place this season, a game in which the Redblacks didn’t have their No. 1 quarterback, and a 58-38 pasting in last November’s East Division semifinal at BMO Field, a game Dru Brown played but would probably rather forget.
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Asked after Monday’s practice if the first visit back to Toronto since that playoff humiliation will put some extra fuel in the Redblacks’ tanks Saturday afternoon, Brown didn’t dwell on the past.
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“I don’t think that many of us need motivation,” he said. “It’s our job. We get paid, for the most part, well to do this. As a man, you shouldn’t need motivation to go out and compete.”