CFL Western Division: BC bursts out of major slump

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09/10/2010 - Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wally Buono's Lions team put together a vintage BC performance when they trounced the Alouettes in Montreal by a 38-17 count in Week 10. The beat-down came out of nowhere, as the Lions entered the game on a seven-game losing streak. The same type of surprise could not be shared by fellow basement dwellers the Edmonton Eskimos, who managed just five points in their loss to Calgary. Saskatchewan picked up another win, but Darian Durant went another game without a passing TD.

BC LIONS

The Lions took advantage of an injured Anthony Calvillo, allowing just 17 points against the East's best offensive team. They did it by limiting first- time starter Chris Leak to just 135 passing yards with two interceptions.

In addition, The Lions defensive line shut down all avenues around the line of scrimmage, as All-Star running back Avon Cobourne managed to pile up just 57 yards on 13 carries.

More surprising than the play of the defense is how everything clicked on offense for the first time all season. Casey Printers, though forced to leave the game in the third quarter with leg cramps, was serviceable in his start, throwing two TD's. He's expected to play this week against Toronto.

Offensive key to the next game (Toronto Argonauts): A healthy Printers is crucial, as he is clearly the best option the Lions have at quarterback. The Toronto secondary has shown some weakness in recent games, making for a perfect opportunity for receivers Geroy Simon and Paris Jackson to build off their strong showing in Week 10.

Defensive key to the next game: Get Toronto to over-commit and cause turnovers. Cleo Lemon continues to force on offense, as evidenced by his zero touchdown, three interception day against Hamilton last week. Make him throw by cutting out Cory Boyd on the ground. The Lions' best chance of winning this one remains with their defense.

Look ahead: Three of BC's next four games are all at home against Eastern teams. Less than a week ago the Lions looked out of it. With this schedule, they have an excellent opportunity to claw their way back into the playoff hunt.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

If only every opponent could put up the fight - or lack thereof - that the Edmonton Eskimos bring to the table when they face the Stampeders.

In two games this season, Calgary has outscored Edmonton 108-20, including last week's 52-5 thrashing. The Stamps' offense eviscerated any and all defensive schemes the Eskies threw at them.

And after a game that saw the Stampeders not allow a single touchdown, head coach John Hufnagel admitted that even he wouldn't want to play against his own defense with the way it is performing now.

The most telling stat of all; they allowed Edmonton to accumulate just five rushing yards.

In essence, there's very little Calgary is doing wrong. It's the Stamps' best start in a decade, as they now sit at 8-1 on the season. The only question is whether their six straight wins have come as a result of playing five games against sub-.500 teams, or whether they represent genuine top-notch football.

That question may not be answered for a while yet, as the Stamps get another date with Edmonton this week.

Offensive key to the game (Edmonton Eskimos): Keep doing what they've been doing against the Eskimos. Punish Edmonton's lackluster play inside its own 30- yard line and keep the pressure on the defense. As this is a road game, scoring points early to get the crowd out of it will be the most important tactic of all.

Defensive key to the next game: The Eskimos will be without running back Arkee Whitlock, meaning the rushing game will be weak again. Stopping the Esks on the ground will be more than possible, but the focus remains on hurrying quarterback Ricky Ray with their superior defensive line.

Look ahead: Three straight games against western road teams leave Calgary on the verge of clinching the CFL west.

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

Edmonton lost its best offensive player in the first quarter last week went Arkee Whitlock left with a foot injury. Head coach Richie Hall believes he will miss Friday's game, making the team's fight for revenge that much harder.

Whitlock, despite playing with a struggling o-line and quarterback, sits third in the league in total rushing yards with 689 yards on 114 carries.

Perhaps a bigger problem for Edmonton as the season comes to a close is how to solve its quarterback woes. With Ricky Ray failing to get it done, Hall is looking at backups Jason Maas and Jared Zabransky as viable options to take the helm on the field.

There is a lot of season left, but time is running short to find the consistency Edmonton desperately needs to compete for a playoff spot.

Offensive key to the next game (Calgary Stampeders): It starts with getting a lot more than five rushing yards, and the only way to do that is to actually attempt to go to the ground. Nine attempts last week, even without Whitlock for much of the game, is not enough against the league's best defense. Regardless, the story of the season remains their passing game. The Esks have to stop dropping easy passes, and Ray has to hit his targets.

Defensive key to the next game: Where to start? It is impossible for the Esks to stop all aspects of Calgary's dominating defense, and judging by the last two games, even a single aspect. A gritty win is the only way, and to do that they need to score first, get the crowd riled up, and ride whatever momentum they can gain in the first quarter by limiting Calgary's points to field goals at best.

Look ahead: After Calgary, Edmonton plays two road games and a home match against eastern opponents and none of them are against the struggling Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The outlook is not so good for a team in need of the same kind of boost BC got in Week 10.

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Saskatchewan's 27-23 win over Winnipeg last week was hardly the stuff of Labor Day Weekend legend, but a win's a win for a struggling team with great ambitions.

Quarterback Darian Durant didn't throw a touchdown pass, but he did generate key scoring drives, none more important than in the fourth quarter.

Up just 18-17 after three hard-fought quarters, Durant manufactured an impressive 91-yard drive to seal the win in the final frame, capped off by a 11-yard run into the end zone.

With the Stamps running away with the West lead and given their overall quality of play, the Riders need all the inspiration they can get to push the league's best team.

Offensive key to the next game (Winnipeg Blue Bombers): The Riders head to Winnipeg seeking their third straight win in the Banjo Bowl. To get it done offensively, Wes Cates will have to do better than rushing for 15 yards over seven carries.

Defensive key to the next game: The Blue Bombers will be without quarterback Buck Pierce, who is out with a possible season-ending elbow injury. The Bombers have struggled to thrive without Pierce, as Steven Jyles has shown a tendency to run more than throw when scrambling. That's fine for the Riders - forcing Jyles to run over running back Fred Reid is a set-up Saskatchewan would love to see.

Look ahead: Of all the games in the near future, September 17 is the date on the calendar that Saskatchewan has circled, highlighted, cut out, blown up, and posted on the mirror. On that day the Riders face the Calgary Stampeders and they will be itching to make a statement against the western juggernaut.