The Edmonton Elks (6-3) will try to stop their first two-game slide of the season Saturday when they host the Toronto Argonauts (4-4) at Commonwealth Stadium, with the Argos arriving in Edmonton looking for a third straight victory.
Toronto climbed back to .500 with last week’s 33-30 win over the Calgary Stampeders, while the Elks have dropped consecutive games to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes after a 6-1 start.
Kelly keeps Toronto offense moving
Chad Kelly has topped 300 passing yards in six of his eight starts and enters Saturday needing 330 yards to pass Tobin Rote for sixth on the Argonauts’ all-time list.
The issue has been turnovers.
Kelly has twice thrown four interceptions in a game this season, although remarkably Toronto won both. That is dangerous territory against an Edmonton secondary that has picked off 14 passes.
Tyrell Ford leads the Elks with five interceptions, while Chelen Garnes and Kobe Williams give Edmonton more playmakers on the back end.
Watch live. Toronto Argonauts @ Edmonton Elks, Aug. 15, 21:00 CET (9 pm, 3 pm ET)
Argos finding help on the ground
Toronto may not need to put everything on Kelly’s arm.
Samuel Hicks and Isaiah Smith combined for 80 rushing yards and a touchdown on 12 carries against Calgary. They now face an Edmonton defense that surrendered 129 rushing yards in its last outing.
Getting the ground game involved could also take some pressure off Kelly and help the Argos stay away from obvious passing situations.
Edmonton needs to get off the field
One number stands out for the Elks defense heading into Saturday.
Opponents have converted 52.8 percent of their second-down opportunities, the second-highest rate in the CFL. Against Kelly and the Toronto passing game, extending drives could become costly in a hurry.
The Elks need Ford and the secondary to make plays, but they also have to create enough pressure to prevent Kelly from sitting comfortably in the pocket.
Rankin could be key for Elks
Running back Justin Rankin has been at his best when Edmonton has consistently put the ball in his hands.
Rankin has received at least 10 carries five times and averaged at least 7.1 yards per attempt in four of those games. When he has had fewer than 10 carries, that average drops to 4.1.
Establishing Rankin could be especially important against a Toronto defensive front that has been strong against the run.
That group has also added another pass-rushing threat in Shawn Lemon. The veteran has recorded three sacks in two games since joining the Argonauts in late July, including two against the BC Lions.
Fajardo faces familiar opponent
Cody Fajardo enters the matchup with a 5-7 career record against Toronto and reached a career milestone last week, becoming the 12th player to record 100 passing touchdowns and 50 rushing majors.
Meanwhile, Toronto receiver Makai Polk needs 49 yards to reach 2,000 career receiving yards.
The Argonauts have momentum, but the Elks remain 6-3 and return home with a chance to stop their slide before it becomes something more serious.