Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — Revenge week has arrived, but for the three teams that lost on Mark’s Labour Day Weekend, there’s a lot more on the line than pride.
The Argos, Bombers, and Eskimos all find themselves in very different situations, but they do have one thing in common: They each need a win in Week 13.
In Edmonton, the CFL’s most dangerous offence has sputtered the last two weeks, being shut out in four out of eight quarters while mustering just 44 combined points. The result of losses to Hamilton and Calgary has been a drop in the standings, and it doesn’t get any easier in a rematch with the league-leading Stamps.
For the Bombers, the pressure sits squarely on the shoulders of Matt Nichols. The veteran quarterback is feeling the heat from fans and media, with whispers for Chris Streveler increasing in volume. A loss to Saskatchewan would mark a fourth straight defeat and beg some difficult questions in the Manitoba Capital.
Finally, the math says the Argos need to start winning sooner rather than later. A loss would put them three wins back of the surging Ticats, with Hamilton already claiming the coveted tie-breaker. The Argos have struggled on both sides of the ball, ranking eighth in the CFL on defence and offence.
Which team needs a win the most in Week 13? More in The Weekly Say.
Who is in most urgent need of a win in the Labour Day rematches?
Marc Trestman’s Argos fell to 3-7 following a loss to the Ticats on Labour Day (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)
Jim Morris: The Bombers can’t afford to lose a fourth consecutive game.
Matthew Cauz: Winnipeg. Three losses in a row and the annual “Is Matt Nichols good?” Debate is back and running strong. Remember when we thought they could be the legit No. 2 team in the West?????
Chris O’Leary: They could all use one but I think Winnipeg needs it the most. They’re losing ground in the West and it feels like with each loss the fan angst is multiplying.
Davis Sanchez: Winnipeg.
Don Landry: Toronto is the most desperate of the bunch. If they lose this next one they might have to give up the ghost on finishing second in the East, hoping that a crossover does not happen and that they can finish ahead of Montreal. That’s a lot to bank on.
Jamie Nye: Toronto! A loss and the Argonauts lose the season series to the Tiger-Cats and they’ll also be unable to potentially close a gap on the fourth place team in the West in the battle for the final playoff spot. It’s getting desperate for the defending champs. They could be the first team to win a Grey Cup and miss the playoffs the following year since Edmonton in 2006.
Marshall Ferguson: Toronto, East Division won’t wait around much longer for the ship to sail smoothly.
If you’re a CFL GM, which NFL cut are you calling first?
Dexter McCoil was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 2014 before departing to the NFL (The Canadian Press)
Nye: Everything is based on need but I think the best player, when healthy, is Dexter McCoil. He was such a fantastic talent on defence for Chris Jones in Edmonton, you’d wonder how interested the Riders would be in bringing another athletic linebacker on board, who can also cover down field.
Landry: Dexter McCoil. I love players who can do it all on defence and still show up big time on special teams.
O’Leary: Maybe the least likely to return, but I’d go with Dexter McCoil. He was so much fun to watch in the Eskimos defence and found a way to make a difference every time he got on the field. He’d make an impact with any team, but I’d love to see him play for Chris Jones again, or for another defensive expert like Noel Thorpe or DeVone Claybrooks.
Sanchez: Dexter McCoil.
Morris: Obviously, all are very talented football players, but I think a player like Dexter McCoil would strengthen any team’s defence.
Ferguson: DeVier Posey. Explosive receivers don’t seem to be as widely available as they used to be. Posey can change a game in one play.
Cauz: Posey. The underrated star of the last year’s Grey Cup would help Toronto right away. Heck, with injuries to so many wideouts, there’s a bunch of teams that could plug him in right away.
Which injured receiver will be toughest to replace?
Early indications are that Kamar Jorden could miss substantial time after suffering a knee injury (The Canadian Press)
O’Leary: Jorden and Walker will be missed for however long they’re out in Calgary and Edmonton, but both teams have depth at receiver. The receiver injuries are starting to pile up for the Ticats. They’ve lost Chris Williams for the year and now Saunders, who was well on his way to another 1,000-yard season, will be tough to replace. Maybe this allows them to sweeten the pot for an offer to Mark Chapman?
Nye: Derel Walker. If there is a team that has shown they can overcome injuries to any position it’s the Stampeders. Walker out leaves Duke Williams to get extra attention and it’ll be interesting to see how teams defend against Edmonton without Walker.
Sanchez: Derel Walker.
Cauz: There is a big drop-off between Jorden and the rest of the Calgary WR’s. Also seeing Mitchell limping around makes me nervous. If he misses any time the Stamps will need all the help on offence they can get.
Landry: Each of those teams are fortunate enough that they have solid receivers who can pick up the slack if those injuries are lingering. Having said that, the loss of Kamar Jorden would be a little tougher for the Calgary Stampeders to swallow, having already lost Eric Rogers to injury.
Ferguson: Jorden. While Calgary has a top end group of talent, Kamar is the game changer.Long-term Hamilton might miss Saunders more if Tasker gets overworked but it’s been okay the last couple of weeks.
Morris: As good as the Stampeders are, I don’t think they have the depth at receiver that Hamilton and Edmonton do. Losing Jorden will hurt them.
