By Mike Hardiman
Stampeders.com

The Pregame

The Calgary Stampeders head back out on the road to take on the Toronto Argonauts in a key game for both divisional playoff races.

The Stamps (11-4) lost a close one to the Eskimos last week by a 15-11 score. The Argos (9-5) own the second-longest current winning streak in the CFL at three games after winning back-to-back games in Week 16 — 38-35 over Ottawa and 25-17 in Montreal.

This will be a rather interesting road game for Calgary in that the game will take place in Hamilton rather than Toronto as the Argos have relocated due to the Blue Jays’ playoff run.

Calgary beat the Argos 25-20 back in Week 3 and is currently on a two-game winning streak on the road against Toronto after a 35-14 win in 2013 and a 34-15 victory last season.

The Stamps are 4-3 on the road this season and 5-2 against Eastern teams while the Argos are 4-1 at home and 5-2 against teams from the West. 

The Kickoff

When/Where: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. MDT at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton
Television: TSN, ESPN3
Radio: Newstalk 770, SiriusXM Channel 167
Internet: www.newstalk770.com

The Stampeders

The Stamps are off their season average a bit over the past six games, averaging 83.2 rushing yards per game. The Argos are eighth in the CFL in passing yards allowed (as well as points allowed) so this could be a matchup that favours Calgary’s fourth-ranked passing attack.

Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell hit just five different receivers in last week’s loss (after connecting with just six the week before in Hamilton) and needs to get back to spreading the ball around — Calgary had nine different receivers catch passes in the wins over BC and Winnipeg in Weeks 13 and 14.

Toronto is tied with Calgary for second with 40 sacks so pass protection will be a focus this week as well. Calgary’s defence will be in for a tough test as the Argos are second in points scored and have averaged 31.3 points over their last four games. Calgary held the Argos to just 44 yards rushing, 223 yards passing and two offensive touchdowns in the win at home back in Week 3.

Calgary gave up a 33-yard TD pass to Edmonton last week and needs to be aware of the Argos’ big-play capability. Toronto is fourth in the CFL in passing plays of 30 yards or more (20) while Calgary has given up the third most at 23.

Who to watch:

Matt Walter – RB, #14
2015 stats – 65 carries, 321 rushing yards, 4.9-yard average, 1 TD – second on team in rushing; six starts in 2015
Last game – 11 carries, 75 rushing yards, 6.8-yard average – Week 16 vs Edm.
2015 vs Tor. – did not start – Week 3 at Calgary

Bo Levi Mitchell – QB, #19
2015 stats – 498 attempts, 322 completions, 64.7% completion rate, 4,038 passing yards, 21 TDs, 13 int.,  92.9 QB rating – second in CFL in passing yards, leads CFL in second-down conversions and passing plays of more than 30 yards
Last game – 32 attempts, 17 completions, 53.1% completion rate, 230 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 int., 60.7 QB rating –  Week 16 vs Edm.
2015 vs Tor. – 34 attempts, 25 completions, 73.5% completion rate, 303 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 int., 107.8 QB rating – Week 3 at Calgary

Eric Rogers – SB, #80
2015 stats – 76 receptions, 1,261 receiving yards, 65.0% reception percentage, 16.6-yard average, 8 TDs – leads CFL in receiving yards and passing plays over 30 yards
Last game – 4 receptions, 77 receiving yards, 19.3-yard average, 1 TD – Week 16 vs Edm.
2015 vs Tor. – 6 receptions, 114 receiving yards, 19.0-yard average, 1 TD – Week 3 at Calgary

Marquay McDaniel – SB, #16
2015 stats – 77 receptions, 956 yards, 77.8% reception percentage, 12.4-yard average, 3 TDs – leads CFL in receptions and yards after the catch
Last game – 8 receptions, 92 receiving yards, 11.5-yard average – Week 16 vs Edm.; led team in receiving
2015 vs Tor. – 7 receptions, 55 yards, 7.8-yard average, 0 TDs – Week 3 at Calgary; led team in receptions

Brandon McDonald – CB, #31
2015 stats – 42 tackles, 1 tackles for loss, four interceptions, four pass knockdowns – two starts with Calgary
Last game – 7 tackles, 1 int. – Week 16 vs Edm.
2015 vs Tor. – 8 tackles – Week 9 at Toronto; was a member of the Ottawa RedBlacks

Jamar Wall – DB, #29
2015 stats – 61 tackles, 1 special teams tackle, 2 int., 6 pass knockdowns, 1 fumble return, 1 TD – second on team in tackles
Last game – 3 tackles – Week 16 vs Edm.
2015 vs Tor. – 2 tackles, 1 special-teams tackle, 1 int. – Week 3 at Calgary

The Argonauts       

The Argos have had a unique schedule this year due to circumstances beyond their control and have only played three games at Rogers Center so far this year.

Despite playing 11 games outside of Toronto (two were counted as home games), the Argos find themselves with nine wins and are in a tie for first in the East. The emergence of quarterback Trevor Harris (#7) as a legitimate MOP candidate has a lot to do with Toronto’s success and the play of three rookie receivers has helped overcome injuries and player moves. Tori Gurley (#81), Vidal Hazelton (#21) and Kevin Elliott (#13) have combined for 150 receptions and 23 TDs, with Hazelton leading the CFL with nine receiving majors.

Brandon Whitaker (#3) has given the Argos good production for the running back spot in the twilight of his career, racking up 878 yards from scrimmage.

Toronto’s area of concern is the defence despite the good numbers that individual players have put up. Defensive end Tristan Okpalaugo (#91) has nine sacks while defensive tackle Cleyon Laing (#90) has eight and middle linebacker Greg Jones has 78 tackles to lead the team. Cornerback Akwasi Owusu-Ansah leads the team with three interceptions and has scored a defensive touchdown.

Former Calgary Colt Jermaine Gabriel (#5) starts at safety while rookie cornerback A.J. Jefferson (#24) has played well, posting 44 tackles, two picks and a touchdown.

Slotback Chad Owens (#2) has a punt return for a touchdown this season as does Jefferson.

Trevor Harris– QB, #7
2015 stats – 459 attempts, 331 completions, 72.1% completion rate, 3,782 passing yards, 31 TDs, 14 int., 106.3 QB rating – leads CFL in touchdown passes, completion percentage, third in QB rating; started all 15 games
Last game – 21 attempts, 16 completions, 76.2% completion rate, 182 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 int.,  113.6 QB rating –  Week 16 at Montreal
2015 vs Calgary – 34 attempts, 20 completions, 58.8% completion rate, 223 passing yards, 2 TDs 1 int. – Week 3 at Calgary

Tori  Gurley – WR, #81
2015 stats – 47 receptions, 621 receiving yards, 13.2 yard average, 66.7% reception percentage, seven receiving TDs – leads team in receiving, 12th in CFL
Last game – Three receptions, 73 receiving yards, 24.3-yard average, 1 TD – Week 16 at Montreal
2015 vs Calgary – Three receptions, 54 receiving yards, 18.0-yard average, 1 TD – Week 3 at Calgary

Greg Jones – LB, #53
2015 stats – 78 tackles, 15 special teams tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, one int., two pass knockdowns,   – leads team in tackles, fourth in CFL
Last game – 4 tackles, 1 special-teams tackles – Week 16 at Montreal
2015 vs Calgary – 8 tackles, 1 sack – Week 3 at Calgary

Stats (through Week 16)

Week 17 in the CFL

Friday, Oct. 16, 5:30 p.m. – Winnipeg at Ottawa
Saturday, Oct. 17, 5 p.m. – BC at Edmonton
Sunday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m. – Hamilton at Montreal

Bye: Saskatchewan