Thursday night football will kick-off week 6 of the CFL’s regular season tonight…
In a rematch from week four, the Montreal Alouettes (5-0) will host the Toronto Argonauts (2-2). Two weeks ago, Montreal handed the Argos their first loss of the season 30-20. Here’s what to watch for tonight:
- A Montreal victory would:
- Extend its regular season winning streak to a franchise-best 11 victories
- Give the team its first 6-0 start since 2006 when they opened 7-0
- The Alouettes lead the league with the most offensive TDs (17) and the fewest offensive TDs allowed (eight).
- In his past two games, Tyson Philpot has 17 receptions for 224 yards and a touchdown.
- Ryan Dinwiddie has never had a three-game losing streak as a head coach. With Toronto, he has only been under .500 twice. After starting 4-5 in 2022, Toronto is 26-6 since.
- Toronto has trailed in all four contests by at least 7 points and by 10-or-more in three games.
- In Week 4, the Argos’ 369 net yards was the most the Alouettes have surrendered this season.
- Wynton McManis has 17 tackles in his past two games.
- Since recording six sacks in Week 1, the Argos have three in their previous three games.
Friday night football will see another re-match with Calgary (2-2) traveling to Winnipeg (1-4). In week five the Bombers found the win column topping Ottawa with QB2 Chris Strevler leading the offence. Expect Zack Collaros back under centre in this one. For Calgary, their second half meltdown in Montreal last week has been the talk of Cowtown, even with the Stampede bucking along. The Stamps will be looking to keep their record above .500 and distance between themselves and the Bombers in the West Division standings. Also watch for this:
- Calgary won the teams’ first matchup 22-19 in Week 4. They have not won the season series since 2016.
- In the first three quarters, Calgary is +28 in point differential; in the fourth, they are -33.
- Marken Michel has 17 catches in his past two games. He needs eight for 150 in his career.
- Reggie Begelton (346) is four shy of 350 career receptions.
- Dave Dickenson’s next win will tie him with George Brancato (82) for 15th all-time in head coaching victories.
- Last week, Winnipeg became the first team to surpass 200 rushing yards in a game this season (212).
- The Bombers were 7-0 last season when rushing for 150+ yards in a game. Last week was the first time they had reached the mark this season.
- Last week, Brady Oliveira had 129 yards and 37 receiving yards. It was his first 100+ yard rushing game of the year and the 12th in his career.
- Willie Jefferson’s next sack will be the 70th of his career.
- Nic Demski’s next touchdown reception will be the 30th of his career.
Saturday night features a battle of the West division leaders. The B.C. Lions (4-1) will welcome the Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-0). The Lions are the Grey Cup hosts, and they look every bit the contender that most believed they would be. Meantime in Riderville, the defence has been stellar all season long and the offense continues to find ways to win. Also note this week:
- Saskatchewan is looking to start 5-0 for the first time since 2013 – the last time they won the Grey Cup.
- Through four games last season, the Riders had a -3 turnover ratio; this year, they sit at +10.
- Rolan Milligan Jr. leads the league in interceptions (three), is tied atop the CFL in special teams tackles (nine) and is third in defensive plays (35).
- Saskatchewan averages 330 net yards per game, while allowing 348.
- In the second quarter, BC has scored 67 points with a +36 point differential.
- BC has a 62 per cent second down conversion rate.
- The Lions are 4-0 when recorded more sacks than their opponent.
- Ben Hladik leads the league in defensive tackles (32) and he is six shy of 200 in his career.
- Sean Whyte is 14-of-14 on field goal attempts. His streak of 32-in-a-row is a team record and the third longest in league history.
Week six will wrap up on Sunday night with a pair of teams in need of a win. Edmonton (0-4) travel to the nation’s capital to take on the RedBLACKS (2-2). Ottawa needs to perform in front of their fans and here’s hoping that Dru Brown can play after taking a head shot in Ottawa’s loss in Winnipeg last week. The Elks are not what their record indicates as three of their four losses have been determined by three points. The Elks are coming off the bye week with some fresh faces on defence looking to turn their season around. Also, of note in this one:
- Ottawa leads the league with five big play returns and has yet to concede one.
- Ryquell Armstead recorded his first 100+ rushing yard game and CFL touchdown last week. In four games, he is averaging 92 yards from scrimmage.
- Jovan Santos-Knox had a league-wide single-game high of 12 defensive tackles last week.
- DeVonte Dedmon leads the league with 29.4 yards per kickoff return with three 40+ yard efforts.
- Each of Edmonton’s losses has been by eight points or less, including three by three points.
- In his past two games, Dillon Mitchell has nine receptions for 201 yards (22.3 yards per catch).
- McLeod Bethel-Thompson is a career 8-1 versus Ottawa.
