(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Montreal, on the other hand, needs to continue what they’ve been doing on offense—score points in bunches. The only flaw in Montreal’s offense last week was that they lost some of their aggression as the game progressed.
On defense, Montreal should try and throw Ricky Ray off his game. If Montreal can force Ray to make some mistakes, it could mess up Edmonton’s offense.
Both teams desperately will want to go to 2-0, but there are a number of things going against the Eskimos in this game. For one, they are playing away from home against one of the hottest teams in the CFL. Throw in the question marks in their running game, and the odds don’t seem to favour the Eskimos this week.
My Pick: Montreal
Friday July 10th
Game One: Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Calgary Stampeders
Calgary’s “Grey Cup” part last week was spoiled by the visiting Montreal Alouettes. Montreal simply played with more intensity than the defending champs. The only thing worse for the Stampeders than losing at home in week one, would be falling to 0-2.
The “New Look” Bombers weren’t awful in week one. They only lost by two points to the Edmonton Eskimos, but the Bombers definitely need to improve their effort if they hope to stick with the Stampeders.
If Calgary hopes to avoid falling to 0-2, they will need to improve on offense. Calgary failed to develop a running game last week and their passing game was far from stellar.
If it wouldn’t have been for the solid play by Titus Ryan and the rest of the special teams, Calgary wouldn’t have had a chance in week one.
Establishing Joffrey Reynolds should be the biggest priority for the Stamps on offense. Every time Reynolds can burst out for a first down, it will put less pressure on Henry Burris. And of course, Calgary needs to take care of the ball.
On defense, Calgary should key on Bomber’s running back Fred Reid. Reid was solid in week one and could be a game changer for the Bombers. They should also look to put pressure on Stefan Lefors.
Winnipeg showed a lot of creativity in their play calling in week one. This is fine, as long as they are able to move the ball consistently. The Bombers offense struggled in week one.
To improve their offense, the Bombers need to pound the ball with Fred Reid, who had success in week one. Success in the ground will take pressure off of Stefan Lefors.
Montreal had a lot of success against the Stampeders in week one when they got pressure on Henry Burris, and the Bombers should look to continue this trend.
While it would appear that the Stampders will win this game easily, people also said the same thing about the Bombers-Eskimos game last week, yet it was a close one. Winnipeg is at home and Calgary struggled in week one. However, they were playing a tough Montreal team, and I have some faith in the defending champs.
My Pick: Calgary
Game Two: BC Lions vs. Hamilton Tiger Cats
The second game of the double-header also features two more win-less teams. In week one, BC suffered a lot of turnovers in their loss against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, whereas the Hamilton Tiger Cats simply were out played by the Toronto Argonauts.
Both teams will look to avoid going 0-2.
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