This week’s CFL Sunday night game will showcase the Redblacks and Argonauts facing off at BMO Field in Toronto. The Argos have started as -10.5 home favorites against the visiting team from Ottawa, and the over/under number is set at 48.5. The game is scheduled for Sunday, August 13th, at 7 pm ET.
Ottawa’s performance has cooled down since their back-to-back overtime victories over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders. Their once high-flying offense seems to have come back to reality. In their last two games, they lost to the Hamilton Ti-Cats and the Saskatchewan Rough Riders, not managing to cover the spread (0-2 ATS). Their offense struggled against Hamilton, scoring only 12 points and falling 16-12. In their game against Saskatchewan, they were down 14-23 going into the fourth quarter, and even though they had opportunities, they couldn’t secure the win, eventually losing 24-26.
The Argos, on the other hand, suffered their first loss of the season in the previous week, falling 7-20 to Calgary. This was an unexpected performance from the East division leaders, with their starting quarterback Chad Kelly leaving the game due to a rolled ankle. The backup quarterback, Cameron Dukes, had a decent performance but faced challenges coming in cold off the bench. Toronto has been dominating teams that struggle to keep up with their pace, with their smallest margin of victory being 35-27 against the Alouettes.
This game marks the first meeting between these two teams this season. However, the Argos have had the upper hand in the last ten matchups, boasting an 8-2 straight up record and a 7-3 record against the spread. Toronto has shown dominance in several of these games, winning by more than 28 points four times.
Although Ottawa has faced difficulties in scoring recently, they remain a formidable team. Their losses came against strong defensive teams like Hamilton and Saskatchewan. Their quarterback, Dustin Crum, is skilled at reading defenses, making audibles, and running for first downs when needed. Ottawa’s well-coached and talented team poses a threat to opponents, as demonstrated by their victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Toronto, too, possesses significant talent on the field, but their edge might be attributed to their Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie. Dinwiddie, with a high football IQ, has a history of success, having been part of championship teams. The Argos have had ample time to rest and prepare for this match, which could give them an advantage.
A point of interest revolves around the potential participation of Argos’ QB1 Chad Kelly, who suffered an ankle injury in the previous game. Coach Dinwiddie has not yet confirmed Kelly’s status, but indications suggest he might start with a taped-up ankle. The weather forecast shows a chance of rain, but it often clears by evening, so weather may not play a significant role.
In recent games, opposing teams have restricted Crum’s running ability, compelling him to rely on passing, which yielded mixed results. Ottawa’s offensive strategy often hinges on the run-pass option (RPO), but they might struggle if they fall behind. Meanwhile, Toronto’s gameplay is well-known, yet opponents have difficulty stopping them.
Considering all factors, it’s likely that Ottawa won’t be able to match Toronto’s performance for more than two quarters. While it’s said that defense wins championships, in this case, it’s essential for the defense not to spend too much time on the field to secure the win.
