The Calgary Stampeders travel to TD Place Stadium to take on the Ottawa Redblacks this Friday, in week 9 CFL action. The Stampeders come to the game with a 4-2 record, taking on a 1-6 Redblacks team that finally secured their first win of the 2022 season. The Stamps lost a competitive battle to the 1st place Winnipeg Blue Bombers last week 35-28. Although Calgary suffered their second loss of the season, they are still in contention for the top of the “dog-eat-dog” West Division, and @The Brysh has consistently posted them as the number 2 team in the CFL Power Rankings. Ottawa has had the most challenging schedule in the CFL this season, marked by back-to-back games with the Blue Bombers, followed by a tilt with the “high octane” BC Lions. The Redblacks are vastly under-rated, having kept their first 3 games within an average of 4 points. @TheBrysh gives the nod to Ottawa as the Eastern team with the most potential and rates them 4th in the Power Rankings!
The Calgary Stampeders
Stampeders head coach, Dave Dickenson, has missed multiple practices this week due to COVID protocol, according to TSN’s Salim Valji. It is unclear if coach Dickenson will be present for the upcoming game on Friday. Stamps RB Ka’Deem Carey is questionable for the Ottawa game with a reported hip injury. Ka’Deem is a valuable weapon for Calgary, averaging almost 80 yards rushing per game and contributing 5 TD’s this year. QB Bo Levi Mitchell is only 143 yards away from claiming the franchise record for passing yards. Mitchell has been averaging over 250 yards per game this season, and should reach the milestone easily against the Redblacks. Look for Mitchell to connect with WR’s Kamar Jorden and, long-threat, Malik Henry. Henry is averaging over 19 yards per catch, and had an 89 yarder against the Edmonton Elks.
The Stampeders defense is hopeful to add LB Branden Dozier to the lineup after being sidelined with a calf injury for the first 6 games of the season. Dozier was a standout player last season with 49 defensive tackles, and 17 tackles on special teams. When asked about his role as a two-phase player, he replied, “I just try to do what the team needs”. The addition of Dozier would be welcomed by fellow LB’s Cameron Judge and Jameer Thurman who have been handling the “brunt” of the tackling duties for Calgary this season.
The Ottawa Redblacks
The Ottawa Redblacks have been hampered by a tough schedule in the first 5 weeks of the 2022 season. Starting a new season with consecutive challenges against the top ranked Winnipeg Blue Bombers, followed by an offensive dogfight with the BC Lions, and then a struggle against a prosperous Saskatchewan Roughriders squad at Mosaic Stadium. Given this situation it is not surprising that the Redblacks were at 0-5 after the first 6 weeks. What IS surprising, is that they lost those 5 games by an average of only 5.4 points. One timely interception by an Ottawa DB, or fumble recovered by their defense, and they are right back in the game!
Quarterbacking is where the concerns lay for the Redblacks, with QB Jeremiah Masoli starting the season at the helm until being placed on Injured Reserve in week 5. Masoli suffered a leg injury at the hands of Saskatchewan Roughriders’ DT Garrett Marino, the hit was considered illegal and Marino was suspended for two games. Backup QB Caleb Evans has performed reasonably well, although against less challenging opposition. In his 3 starts, Evans has managed 786 yards and a 68% completion rate, with a 4:3 ratio of TD’s against interceptions. They have acquired the services of QB Nick Arbuckle from the Edmonton Elks as extra insurance. On defense, the Redblacks have serious pass rushing potential in the “double-threat” of DE Lorenzo Mauldin, who leads the league in QB Sacks, and DL Davon Coleman, who have combined for 11 sacks.
Game Prediction
The Calgary Stampeders are as solid as they come, and despite their recent loss to the Blue Bombers, are still the 2nd best team in the CFL. The Redblacks are underrated and healthy, with the proper amount of pressure on the pass rush can they take Bo Levi Mitchell off of his game? Will Calgary RB Ka’Deem Carey be ready on game day, and if so can the Redblacks contain him? And what about the Ottawa QB situation? This game could be filled with surprises and an upset could be in the making, but for the safe bet, @TheBrysh takes the Stamps 30-22
Written by: Jack Cameron @TheBrysh
