Nye: REDBLACKS need to be perfect in rematch vs. Calgary

The Calgary Stampeders will humble you, as they did to the Ottawa REDBLACKS two weeks ago.

As predictable as water is wet, the Stampeders continue to win and win often. In the last three seasons, plus the three this year, Calgary has lost just 10 games in the regular season. That is a 45-10-2 record (we’ll get to those two ties later).

You want to know how many teams have had 10 losses in an entire season over these last three seasons?

The closest team in the last three seasons plus the early portion of this season is Edmonton with 20 losses over the same period.

It’s not even close!

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Every president around the CFL wants to see their team sustain the same amount of success as the Stampeders. It makes their jobs a lot easier.

So two weeks ago, the Ottawa REDBLACKS witnessed, as all other seven teams have witnessed, the Stampeders showing them first hand why they win. And if Ottawa wants to win the return game in the nation’s capital, they have to play nearly perfect football as they did for the first 40 minutes of the game.

It was in about 15 minutes when the Stampeders pounced on poor offensive line play, penalties, a turnover and a goal line stand. Calgary turned around and took control of the game.

With six minutes left in the third quarter, the REDBLACKS had the ball and the game was 7-7. A sack forced a two-and-out and on the Stamps next drive the REDBLACKS had them at 2nd and 21. A big play and a 15-yard penalty.

Field goal. 10-7 Calgary.

Ottawa got the ball down to the Calgary goal line but an incomplete pass, a tackle at the one and stuffed on third-and-goal gave Calgary the ball back. The defence needs to hold.

Here is another lesson. When you have to make the play against Calgary, rarely can you get it done. Next play Mitchell hits DaVaris Daniels for 41-yard play and flipped the field immediately.

A two-and-out by Ottawa, a touchdown by Calgary, a fumble by Ottawa and another Calgary touchdown ended the sequence.

24-7. Game. Set. Match.

Brad Sinopoli is looking for a repeat of his breakout Week 4 performance (The Canadian Press)

Even when Ottawa made it 24-14 with just under three minutes left, Calgary ran it down their throat to seal the game.

It’s right there in front of Ottawa on why they lost. Calgary plays 60 minutes more often than not and if you have a 10 minute lapse, you’ll be quickly educated on the fine tuning necessary to have a 45-10-2 record.

Ottawa has to be confident, however, heading in because of those first 40 minutes where they held their own against the Stampeders. They’ve also beat them in one of the most memorable Grey Cups and with the game on Thursday at TD Place, the REDBLACKS have had some fantastic battles with the perennial favourites.

2015, the two played to overtime with the REDBLACKS coming out on top. In 2016 and 2017, when Calgary came to Ottawa, there was no winner. Both games ended in a tie.

But the check list is clear for Ottawa to hand Calgary their 11th loss in the last three-plus seasons.

They need better QB play from Trevor Harris, who was below average in their loss two weeks ago.

The offensive line has to play more consistently as they gave up two key sacks to end drives early when Calgary started to pile on the points.

Discipline is key as Kyries Hebert makes his return to the lineup after serving a suspension for a hit on Calgary’s DaVaris Daniels.

Ottawa definitely has the fire power with Harris at the helm. William Powell leads the league in rushing, and Brad Sinopoli and Greg Ellingson are near the top of the league in receiving. Don’t exclude Diontae Spencer from the conversation, he is a dynamic speedster who is looking to add a lot more than his 11-yards receiving he had two weeks ago against Calgary.

Even defensively, the new coordinator Noel Thorpe has the REDBLACKS defence believing they can be a defence to push Ottawa back to the top of the East Division. Calgary is No. 1 in points allowed and yards allowed. Ottawa is No. 2 and No. 3 respectively.

But if history is any indication; Ottawa doesn’t need to play just 60 minutes, maybe 70 will have to do to beat the Stamps.