LIVESTREAM CFL: Edmonton Elks @ Ottawa REDBLACKS, Aug. 23, 01:30 CET (1:30 am, 7:30 pm Aug. 22 ET)
Don’t look now, but the Edmonton Elks are coming on.
They’ll try to make it three wins in a row when they travel to TD Place for a date with the Ottawa REDBLACKS on Friday Night Football.
Back-to-back victories over Montreal and Toronto have the Elks pulling closer to BC and Winnipeg in the West Division.
Ottawa, on the other hand, is aiming to win three of its last four.
Here’s three keys to victory for both teams ahead of Friday’s 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff, which can be watched on TSN and RDS in Canada, and on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.
RELATED
» Depth Charts: EDM | OTT
» Game Notes: Elks at REDBLACKS
Watch live. Edmonton Elks @ Ottawa REDBLACKS, Aug. 23, 01:30 CET (1:30 am, 7:30 pm Aug. 22 ET)
EDMONTON ELKS
1. JUSTIN RANKIN IS ROLLIN’
Running back Justin Rankin did it all in Week 11, pulling down 92 yards through the air and amassing 87 more on the ground in their win over Toronto. The last time these two met, a 39-33 Elks win in Week 5, he was just as effective, putting up 69 receiving and 105 rushing yards.
2. CODY FAJARDO COMING THROUGH
Quarterback Cody Fajardo is giving his team a chance to win, which is all head coach Mark Kilam can ask. He’ll face a REDBLACKS secondary that sits fifth in average passing yards against per game and one that didn’t see him the first time around. Fajardo’s ability to find his receivers and Rankin being a dual threat creates unpredictability for Ottawa’s defence.
3. KEEP IT CLOSE
The Elks’ two losses before their most recent wins were by a combined seven points. It shows they’re staying in the game and giving themselves an opportunity to come away victorious, a position they’ll look to put themselves in again on Friday.
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
1. HERE COMES DUSTIN CRUM
Starting quarterback Dru Brown is out with a knee injury, a tough blow for Ottawa’s offence. Head coach Bob Dyce will go back to Dustin Crum, who was impressive in relief against the Blue Bombers last week, completing 11 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.
2. DANIEL ADEBOBOYE AND WILLIAM STANBACK
No Brown likely means more looks for the REDBLACKS running backs. Daniel Adeboboye and William Stanback have combined for 725 yards this season and put up 39 and 38 yards the last time these teams squared off.
3. LINEBACKERS ON GUARD
Given the Elks’ multiple threats on offence, the linebacker core — led by veterans Jovan Santos-Knox and Adarius Pickett — has to be ready to make an impact. Santos-Knox has 47 tackles, while Pickett has 63 and an interception.
NEED TO KNOW:
- Edmonton is 1-3 on the road and Ottawa is 1-3 at home.
- This is the final regular season meeting between the Elks and REDBLACKS
Watch live. Edmonton Elks @ Ottawa REDBLACKS, Aug. 23, 01:30 CET (1:30 am, 7:30 pm Aug. 22 ET)
