EDMONTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Edmonton Elks close out Week 17 on Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium.
Hamilton hopes to avoid a five-game losing streak with a win.
Edmonton continues to cling to their West Division lead despite a loss to the Toronto Argonauts in Week 16.
Here’s three keys to victory for both teams ahead of Saturday’s 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff, which can be watched on TSN in Canada and on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.
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HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
1. PLAYING WITH URGENCY
The Ticats’ playoff hopes are fading fast, and they need to come out like a team fighting for its survival. A better first half would help after putting up three points in the first two quarters against Montreal last week.
LIVESTREAM CFL: Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ Edmonton Elks, Sept. 27, 01:00 CET (1 am, 7 pm Sept, 26 ET)
2. BE AWARE, BE VERY AWARE
Quarterback Harrison Frost put the ball in the air 50 times for 330 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to the Als. The problem was, he also tossed four interceptions. Against an Elks defence that’s taken pride in forcing turnovers, including 21 interceptions, the Ticats pivot can’t try to force the issue.
3. AVOID THE EXPLOSIVES
Edmonton came into the week second in the league with 45 big plays, which are defined as passes over 30 yards and rushes over 20. The Ticats have to make the Elks’ offence work for every yard. Up front, linebacker Reggie Stubblefied needs to be on top of the run game, while defensive back Stavros Katsantonis helps take care of the downfield defence.
EDMONTON ELKS
1. PUNCH IT IN
A few fewer field goals and a couple more majors is what the Elks offence should be aiming for. It’s up to quarterback Cody Fajardo and running back Justin Rankin to make the most of their chances, particularly in the red zone where they rank first in opportunities and fifth in touchdowns.
2. HANDS UP
Edmonton can’t be fooled by the Ticats’ league-worst 331.7 net yards per game and 23.4 average points. Receivers Kenny Lawler, Kiondré Smith, Keric Wheatfall and Kurleigh Gittens Jr. have the ability to go off at any time. Defensive backs Tyrell Ford and Kordell Jackson want to ensure that time isn’t now.
3. THE COMFORTS OF HOME
The Elks are 6-1 at home and will try to ride the momentum of the Commonwealth Stadium crowd. A score early or a big play defensively could shock the team back into rhythm. Ultimately, it’s up to the team’s stars, Fajardo, Rankin and receiver Austin Mack, to give the fans something to get excited about.
NEED TO KNOW:
- The Ticats have won the teams’ last six games in Edmonton.
- Edmonton is 2-0 this season when coming off a bye week.
- Kurleigh Gittens Jr. has 16 receptions for 166 yards and three TDs in his last two games
- Last week, the Elks had 38:45 of possession time, the highest mark since 1994.