Why the Ottawa Redblacks' next game, against the Toronto Argos, is the biggest of their season
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.
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.
Because of last Thursday’s slump-busting win over Calgary, that’s what is at stake when Ottawa takes on 2-6 Toronto.
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.
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.
It should be an indication of whether the Redblacks can become contenders or are pretenders this season.
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.
Oh yes, and then there’s the stretch of futility against Toronto.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
As a team, the Redblacks have been competing but not getting many positive results.
In Toronto, they’ll have the chance to jump into a playoff spot and take a rare winning streak into the second half of the season.
How did the Redblacks fare injury-wise from last week’s win over Calgary?
After scoring two touchdowns against the Stamps, receiver Justin Hardy (back) did not participate in Monday’s practice and is questionable for Saturday’s game
Meanwhile, Canadian linebacker Lucas Cormier (quad) is going to miss some time.
“These guys always amaze me with their recovery ability,” said Dyce. “So we’ll take it week by week and go from there.”
The good news is that American linebacker Davion Taylor, who has missed the last five games with an ankle injury, was a full participant at Monday’s practice.
And also that Canadian right tackle Zack Pelehos, who missed the start of the season with a foot ailment and then limped off the field during the first offensive series on Thursday, was a limited participant.
Dyce said Pelehos’ progress will continue to be monitored and didn’t rule him out of the Argos game.
What does Saturday’s game mean to Adarius Pickett?
Because of a ruptured Achilles tendon that kept him from playing the last five games of the 2024 regular season and in the playoffs, this will mark the first return to Toronto for the Redblacks linebacker since 2023, when he had 105 defensive tackles and 124 total tackles for the Argos.
Will it be a special day for you, Adarius?
“It’s always special when I get a chance to play anywhere,” said Pickett. “I can play in a parking lot, down the street, it don’t matter. I’m just excited to get a chance to play, especially after the way my season last year. I’m just ready for the next game. That’s all.”
Where does Thursday’s 31-11 victory over the Stamps rank in all-time defensive performances by the Redblacks?
In terms of points allowed in a game, it was tied for the fifth-best effort in team history.
The others:
Aug. 31, 2017: Ottawa 32, Montreal 4
July 26, 2024: Ottawa 33, Calgary 6
Aug. 30, 2023: Ottawa 26, Edmonton 7
Nov. 2, 2018: Ottawa 24, Toronto 9
Sept. 17, 2017: Ottawa 29, Montreal 11
Players on defence talked about how they came together and trusted each other with assignments, while defensive back Amari Henderson expanded on the positive mood that was prevalent at Monday’s practice.
“I feel like winning just takes care of a lot of things,” said Henderson. “It makes coming to work easier, it makes coming to work more fun, most definitely. I want to say you get a little bit more relaxed, a little more chill, I guess that monkey kind of falls off your back a little bit. But we know that we’ve got to continue to come in every single day and stack great days and just be consistent at being great. Then we feel like the results should show for themselves, as long as we continue to stack those good days.”
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