Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — Are the Calgary Stampeders losing their edge?
With a 12-4 record and plus-150 point differential, the Stamps are the CFL’s top-ranked team with two weeks left in the season, leaving them on the brink of hosting a third straight Western Final.
However, despite a dominant first three months of the season, a shadow of doubt has been cast. Injuries decimated their receiving corps, while back-to-back losses — both at McMahon Stadium — have many questioning whether the Stamps are the same powerhouse they once were.
Over the last three games, Bo Levi Mitchell has averaged just 211.7 passing yards per outing, throwing more interceptions (5) than touchdowns (4). Meanwhile, last weekend, the Stamps were out-gained 469 yards to 274 in a loss to the visiting Roughriders.
As the playoffs approach, is there cause for concern in Cowtown? The writers weigh in with the latest from The Weekly Say:
Are the Calgary Stampeders still the Grey Cup favourite?
Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson has watched his team drop back to back decisions at home (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Marshall Ferguson: Yes. Two weeks does not a season make, but another home loss would leave all of us scratching our heads.
Matthew Cauz: Yes. I will take their organizational strength over the fact that they probably lost two more receivers as I write this. Now once they get to the Grey Cup I have no faith in them defeating a barely over .500 East Division team.
Chris O’Leary: No. Who is? I couldn’t tell you. The foundation of the world as I’ve known it for the last five-ish years is on the six-game injured list and I feel like just about anyone could win the Grey Cup this year.
Don Landry: No. They are now merely among a number of teams that have a good chance to win it. Injuries have brought them back to the pack a bit, and the pack was gaining ground anyway.
Jamie Nye: NO! The answer is now no one is the ‘favourite’. If you tell me at the start of the post-season that (blank) team is going to win the Grey Cup, I won’t be surprised if it comes true. All six teams will be able to get there and win. They all have the talent to get it done. Some teams are hotter than others right now of course, but who knows who catches fire in November? It may just be the Stampeders again.
Jim Morris: No, I don’t think so. Losing back to back games at home and the injuries the team has suffered has hurt their chances. I’m not saying they can’t win the Grey Cup this year, but things have gotten much harder for them.
Can the Ticats win without Brandon Banks?
The Ticats have already faced adversity this season, but is Banks’ injury too much? (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)
Morris: Yes. They still have an elite receiver like Luke Tasker and a veteran waiting in the wings in Marquay McDaniel. They also have the league’s second best rushing attack.
Landry: Yes they can. It’s going to take someone in that receiving corps stepping up to become a lethal threat alongside Luke Tasker, a healthy running game, and a stout defence. But they were going to need those last two anyway, so a step-up guy in the corps is crucial.
Ferguson: It’s going to be tough but yes. Need more from every other facet and Terrell Sinkfield to pick up the nuance of the Ticats’ offence ASAP.
O’Leary: When I said just about anyone could win, I wasn’t thinking of the Ticats. They were already hurting (pun not intended) at receiver, missing Jalen Saunders, Chris Williams and Terrence Toliver. Their offence suffered when Speedy was out a pair of games dealing with a groin injury. If they host the Eastern Semi, they’ll have a tough, tough West Division opponent. It doesn’t look good.
Nye: I’m very curious to see how Jeremiah Masoli plays without Banks and who he can lean on, or if the Tiger-Cats lean more on their backfield to get the ball moving. The signing of Terrell Sinkfield Jr. looks bigger, but how long it takes for him to get into the offence will be vital. Luke Tasker is going to be even busier it would appear with the injuries piling up on the Tabbies. The Tiger-Cats are considerably hindered by losing their speedster. But can they win? Of course they can, I’m just not picking them to.
Cauz: Probably not. Banks is a top-five player this year and after Tasker the talent level takes a dip. That loss to Ottawa was a big punch in the gut.
Which potential crossover team is the most dangerous?
With four straight wins, Matt Nichols has the Bombers at the top of their game with two weeks left (The Canadian Press)
Nye: I’m going to say it’s the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for three reasons. They’ve played best against the East, including 3-1 on their eastern road trip. If they make the playoffs, they’ll be 5-1 or 6-0 in their final third of the season. And finally, travel. The Bombers’ trips east are far shorter than Edmonton’s and especially BC’s. The Lions or Eskimos might decide to stay out East between games like the Riders did last year, but if not, the Bombers won’t have such lengthy travel back and forth between games.
Ferguson: Winnipeg.. They’re so HOT right now.
Cauz: Normally I’d go Edmonton but Winnipeg’s play over the past two months has been damn impressive. See Bombers fans, I can say nice things about your team.
Landry: Winnipeg. Edmonton’s game fluctuates these days, and BC has not been what you’d call a strong road team, despite last week’s win in Calgary. The Bombers don’t have far to travel if it comes to it, just a one hour time difference from the East, and they have three phases clicking right now.
O’Leary: BC or Winnipeg. They’ve trended upward in the second half of the season (BC is 6-1 and Winnipeg is 4-2) while Edmonton (2-5) hasn’t. As it stands right now I like their chances in the East if either of them get the crossover.
Morris: I say the Lions. They are the hottest team in the league right now and truly believe they can win the Grey Cup. There is the extra motivation of this being Wally Buono’s final year.
