TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts will try to extend their winning streak to five games without their starting quarterback when they host the BC Lions at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon.
Chad Kelly is out with a hand injury, so it will be Nick Arbuckle leading the offence onto the field against a Lions team that’s won seven of their last eight, including a 31-24 victory over Saskatchewan in Week 17.
Toronto won their fourth in a row over Winnipeg, 30-28.
The Argonauts took the first meeting this season against the Lions, 26-12, in Week 8.
Here’s three keys to victory for both teams ahead of Saturday’s 3:00 p.m. ET kickoff, which can be watched on TSN, CTV and Crave in Canada and on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.
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Watch live. BC Lions @ Toronto Argonauts, Octo. 3, 21:00 CET (9 pm, 3 pm ET)
BC LIONS
1. KEEP ON CONVERTING
The Lions have had 52 opportunities in the red zone this season and found the end zone 39 times. The offence flows through quarterback Nathan Rourke, who hasn’t faced the Argos this season, and running back Zander Horvath, who had three carries for three yards in the first matchup. Rourke and Horvath will have to make a statement if the Lions hope to be winners of eight of nine.
2. EXPLOSIVENESS
The Lions are averaging a league-best 428.5 yards of net offence over 14 games. Rourke, Horvath and receivers Jevon Cottoy, Keon Hatcher Sr. and Justin McInnis are capable of changing the game, and when the opportunities are there, they’ll need to execute.
3. ALL-IN DEFENCE
It’s going to take everyone in the Lions secondary to shut down the Argos’ depth at wideout, led by Damonte Coxie’s 1,260 receiving yards, third-most in the CFL. Defensive back Robert Carter Jr. will play his second game and has the potential to lead the way.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
1. NICK ARBUCKLE
Kelly’s absence deals a significant blow to the Argos offence, but Arbuckle is a more than capable back up, bringing 130 career games of experience. This season, he’s 25-for-39 in pass attempts for 250 yards.
2. POCKET PRESSURE
One of the best ways to stifle Rourke and his options at receiver is to make him uncomfortable. Defensive linemen Shawn Lemon and Ralph Holley have been excellent at applying pressure on opposing pivots with 14 combined sacks.
3. BEYOND THE LINE
Getting to Rourke isn’t the only job of the Argos linemen and linebackers, as they can’t forget about Horvath and his 16 touchdowns. Behind Lemon and Holley, the linebacker corps of Isaac Darkangelo, Adarius Pickett and Alexander Teubner have to avoid giving up lengthy runs.
NEED TO KNOW:
- The Argos have won the teams’ past five matchups at BMO Field, where the Argonauts are 4-0 this season.
- Toronto is 7-0 when leading after the first quarter.
- In his past three games, Lions’ linebacker Darnell Sankey has registered nine, nine and 10 defensive tackles.
- BC has scored at least 30 points in its last six games, including 45 and 48-point performances.