The REDBLACKS and Lions have met four times over the last two seasons and have split the series. Ottawa swept the Lions last year winning by double-digits in each game and by a score of 58-34 overall. Their two wins were built around an enormous edge in TOP of 38:04 to 21:56 and 6-3 turnovers forced advantage (+3). This game will be Jonathon Jennings’ first-ever start against Ottawa while Henry Burris carries a 15-18-1 record in 34 previous starts against BC.

  -The Lions lost at home last week to Calgary by 28 points (37-9), their largest home defeat since November 6, 2009 – and the 3rd largest in the Wally Buono era (Nov 6/09: 13-45 to EDM -32 pts, Jul 24/09: 10-48 to CGY, -38 pts).

  -In each of the last four Lions’ losses, they have bounced back right away with a next game victory. QB Jonathon Jennings has one two-game losing streak as a starter in his career (Oct 10-17/15).

-The REDBLACKS are 5-3 since the start of 2015 when they have lost their previous game. They will be trying to avoid their second two-game losing streak of the season and are just 1-3 over their last 4 games.

  -The Lions have converted just 7 of their last 16 Red Zone opportunities into touchdowns over the last 5 games. Similarly, Ottawa has converted only 6 of their last 15 Red Zone chances into TDs over the last 5 games.

-Ottawa was 4-4 after 8 games in 2015 and so are half a game ahead of that pace this season at 4- 3-1. They capitalized on close games however last season with a 5-1 mark in games decided by 4 points or less. This year they are just 2-2 in those close games. Last year from this point, Ottawa went on an 8-2 tear to finish #1 in the East.

 -In the first three games, Chris Williams caught 25 passes for 493 yards and 6 TDs. Since then in the last 5 games he has 25 receptions for just 291 yards and 2 TDs. His yardage total has increased every week in the last three going 14, 55, 62 and then 97 yards last time out. Greg Ellingson was held without a catch last week vs Montreal after recording 100- yard games in 3 of the previous 5 contests.

  -After a slow start, Jackson is back on 1000-yard pace and has a TD reception in each of his last 3 games.

  -Two weeks ago, BC’s Richie Leone had one of the finest punting performances in league history averaging 62.7 yards per kick in the win over Hamilton. His 62.4 yard average on 7 punts now ranks as the 3rd-best single-game average in CFL history behind Nick Setta (2008) and Paul Osbaldiston (2002). For the year, Leone’s 50.0 yard average is #3 all-time at this point. In his last 5 games, Leone’s punting average is 54.1 yards per kick.

 -Last week vs Calgary, the Lions had plenty of time on the field for their defence as Calgary controlled the ball for 37:45 and an edge of 68 to 48 for plays from scrimmage. As a result, Solomon Elimimian (11, a CFL best for Week #9) and Adam Bighill (9) piled up the defensive tackles.

 -The REDBLACKS had 5 giveaways last week but the total is a little deceiving as 3 of them came late in the game on their final 3 possessions. BC’s only offensive T/O vs Calgary was of the same type, a late game Turnover on Downs. 

http://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/2016-CFL-Gm-Notes-46-BC-at-Ott.pdf

Week 10 picks BC at Ottawa

3downnation - 5 picks for Ottawa 2 picks for BC

MBB - Ottawa 20 to 8 picks for BC

 

31 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

he has his moments. But that sack he took during that last drive on 2nd down, might have been the worst decision I've seen this year. Had plenty of time to throw it away and he just didn't. Held on for some reason. That basically sealed the game for the lions.

Not much he could do with BC playing 8 DB back there, nobody open.

Just now, Throw Long Bannatyne said:

Not much he could do with BC playing 8 DB back there, nobody open.

Right, but then you launch it out of bounds.

Harris' play in the first half reminded me of Drew Willy this season. He was completing pretty much everything but the offense wasn't going anywhere.

What a fun football game. Maybe the best one of the season so far. Two good teams going at each other.

BC owned TOP, ran the ball well and racked up a lot 1st downs. Harris found some deep receivers open for big plays. The Ottawa defense got a bunch of sacks and managed to force a fumble at their own 2 to keep them in the game. Ottawa with the ball in the last minute still had a chance to pull the game out.

That game definitely showed me that we can hang with either of those teams. BC OL was pitiful last night, that Ottawa pass rush isn't anything to be scared of. On the flip side, the key to beating the Ottawa D is to work the underneath stuff, which we have more than enough talent to do.

We'll compete with both of these teams.

29 minutes ago, sweep the leg said:

Harris' play in the first half reminded me of Drew Willy this season. He was completing pretty much everything but the offense wasn't going anywhere.

I was thinking the same thing.  Lots of passes completed behind the line of scrimmage or within 5 yards.

16 hours ago, Goalie said:

Or just beat bc when we play them 

Why can't we have it both ways? Beat BC back to back, and have them be the ones who need to make up ground. Moot point now with Ottawa crumbling yesterday.

I realized last night that I have a natural West bias... I found myself cheering for BC in the last few mins of the game... then I shook my head and realized I wanted BC to lose... can't bring myself to cheer for Ottawa, but I was hoping BC would lose in the end...

Edited August 26, 20169 yr by bearpants

bloom is off Harris rose.

 

didn't he tail off quite a bit last year?

6 minutes ago, Mark F said:

bloom is off Harris rose.

 

didn't he tail off quite a bit last year?

Well he lost his job to Ricky Ray but that didn't turn out so well for Toronto.

I'd say he's still got a very, very bright future.

15 minutes ago, Mark F said:

bloom is off Harris rose.

 

didn't he tail off quite a bit last year?

his second half last year was pretty lacklustre, iirc, and that's why I was eye-rolling pretty good at people calling him the next great superstar earlier this year. Let's dial it all back about 20%......

I think that both Harris and Jennings are good QBs with upside.

3 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

I think that both Harris and Jennings are good QBs with upside.

I agree with this... But I think they still have a ways to go before they can be considered among the Elite. 

19 minutes ago, Goalie said:

I agree with this... But I think they still have a ways to go before they can be considered among the Elite. 

The teeny tiny part of the game I saw showed both quarterbacks to be very much a work in progress. I wasn't jealous at all which surprised me since these guys get good press. 

To be fair there were a couple of moments for both but not there yet.

 

On 26/08/2016 at 11:23 AM, rebusrankin said:

I think that both Harris and Jennings are good QBs with upside.

The big difference is age... Harris is 30, Jennings is 24... based on that alone, Jennings has much greater potential...