Finally, it's Thursday...CFL Football is back!

Week 8 starts... most fans are picking Edmonton over Ottawa. Not me.

EDMONTON @ OTTAWA

CFL.ca Staff

Thursday’s contest is the ultimate mid-season test for both squads; injury-ravaged Edmonton faces a long trek east to face a determined REDBLACKS team, while Ottawa would love nothing more than to break its losing trend by handing the Esks their first loss of 2017.

West Division teams have won nine straight games against East Division opponents.

Through seven weeks of football, a mere 36 points separate the Edmonton Eskimos (plus-28) from the Ottawa REDBLACKS (minus-8).

By The Numbers

3 – Interceptions for Edmonton linebacker Kenny Ladler.

11:2 – TD-INT ratio for Edmonton’s Mike Reilly, the best mark amongst all starting quarterbacks.

204 – Completions allowed by Ottawa’s defence, the most in the CFL.

702 – League-high receiving yards for REDBLACKS receiver Greg Ellingson.

GM Marcel Desjardins pointed to turnovers as a major cause for Ottawa’s early-season struggles; protecting the rock will be critical on Thursday against an Esks team that ranks top-two in possession (32:34), sacks allowed (10) and offensive turnovers (6). In contrast, the REDBLACKS have allowed six more sacks and sit last in turnovers (13).

3downnation 

Edmonton visits Ottawa on Thursday night coming off a 33-28 home win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The hard-luck Redblacks lost a 33-30 home decision to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and their five losses have been by a combined 13 points. That includes a 23-21 setback in Edmonton on July 14. Edmonton is 6-0 to start a season for the first time since 1961 and is doing it with a depleted roster. But a constant is quarterback Mike Reilly, who stands fourth overall in passing yards (1,945) and third in touchdowns (11).

Dunk: Edmonton can close. Simple. ESKS

Hodge: Ottawa will turn this thing around… but not this week. ESKS

Edwards: Edmonton has been finding a way, Ottawa not so much. ESKS

Gasson: The streak will end eventually but not yet. ESKS

Busby: There’s a desperation in the home side the visitors won’t match. REDBLACKS

Smith: Ottawa needs this. Badly. REDBLACKS

Filoso: Edmonton’s injuries finally catch up with them. REDBLACKS

Totals: ESKS 4 REDBLACKS 3

 

 

 

 

Edited August 11, 20178 yr by Mr Dee

I like it

5 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Shania Twain.... Three... two... one.... Millennial fans head explode!! Not some 'cool"band only they heard of. 

There are no cool bands anymore. They are all auto tune fools. 

3 minutes ago, Atomic said:

I think everyone can enjoy some Shania Twain

Saw her Vegas show and she was almost robotic. It was kind of sad, really enjoyed her shows years ago.  I've seen some great interviews with her recently and she' s been through a lot even recently.

Bob Irving will be happy!

No Gordon Lightfoot? No Trooper? Come on man.

comeon ottawa!

1 minute ago, rebusrankin said:

No Gordon Lightfoot? No Trooper? Come on man.

BTO...

Did Black just say a "delayed draw"???

Ottawa's offence is just not good enough.  They put up big numbers because the defence constantly gives them back the ball.  They only have 3 legitimate receivers.  Their running backs are just average.

Esks offense has done nothing this second half. 

Bad mistakes at bad times for Ottawa!  Constantly!

Hard to feel sad for the "youngest team in the league", RedBlacks when they're defending Grey Cup champs. Cry me a Rideau Canal, Climie. 

Edited August 11, 20178 yr by SpeedFlex27

Rod Black calling plays now. 

Reilly just did what BLM will never do. Run for a clutch 1st down to help his team win. 

Ottawa is 1-6-1 and still in the playoff hunt. What a joke.

That entire East Division is a joke.  Ottawa should be running away with things but is struggling. 

3 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

That entire East Division is a joke.  Ottawa should be running away with things but is struggling. 

Letting Earnest Jackson go was a huge mistake. 

Reilly is pretty comfortable speaking into a mic. I bet he lands a gig at TSN one day. He might want to let them pick his attire though.

I guess that it is up to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to hand Edmonton their first loss of the season.

32 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Letting Earnest Jackson go was a huge mistake. 

Desjardins constructs the best receiving corps in the CFL & then he destructs it 2 years later.  

14 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Desjardins constructs the best receiving corps in the CFL & then he destructs it 2 years later.  

He paid more than they could sustain, had a kick *** receiving core, won a grey cup. We all knew the contracts would catch up with them.

On the other side of the field, people can say Edmonton is winning through smoke and mirrors all they like, but the Eskies keep winning.

I don't know about the money thing...  I also don't think they are losing because are missing on receivers.    The team definitely isnt' rising to the occasion,   I'd look more at the coaching and a bit on the D side.  

29 minutes ago, Brandon said:

I don't know about the money thing...  I also don't think they are losing because are missing on receivers.    The team definitely isnt' rising to the occasion,   I'd look more at the coaching and a bit on the D side.  

Harris isnt as good as people think. D played pretty well.. The O is a 2 and out show. 

51 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Harris isnt as good as people think. D played pretty well.. The O is a 2 and out show. 

Everyone hated Burris but he was a leader and a difference maker .... he made receivers ... the grit and determination was there .... Harris is not at that level to bring everyone's game up ... Desjardin and Campbell should drag Henry out of his TSN perch, get him into shape, and take another run at that Grey thing ... or they can yawn and we can go back to sleep on thus franchise .... talk about going from heroes to bums .... go Blue Jays!

Edited August 11, 20178 yr by BigBlue

Fwiw, I think Shania is a huge "get" for the CFL half time show. Good on 'em....that'll be solid.