Both team's record was 11-7 this season but that doesn't stop the media and so-called experts to pick the Eskimos as the favorite to win this game. I guess we couldn't dispute their pick because the Eskimos will be playing at home tomorrow and their QB Ricky Ray and their receivers Bowman, Barnes and Stamps are playing well this season. But it doesn't mean those guys are right because I think anyone can win this game. Stampeders only win against the Eskimos this season was played in Commonwealth Stadium and Calgary were the CFL's best 6-3 on the road this season scoring 280 points.
Edmonton is back in the playoff for the first time since they lost to Calgary Stampeders in 2009 West Division Semi-Final.
OFFENSE:
QB Drew Tate won 3-0 since he took over the starting QB position from Henry Burris. This is the first time Tate will be starting against the Eskimos.
RB Jon Cornish finished 4th in the league rushing with 839 yards. Pretty amazing feat considering he did not take over the starting position until late in the season. Cornish also finished tied for league lead in touchdown with 11.
SB Nik Lewis finished the season with 93 receptions(2nd straight season with more than 90 receptions.) for 1,209 yards and 5 touchdown. Lewis leads the Stamps in receiving versus the Eskies with 15 catches for 227 yards.
Calgary offense turned the ball over 7 times vs Eskimos(resulting in 27 Eskimos points) compared to just 2 Eskies turnovers that Calgary did not convert into points.
The Offensive Linemen are doing a great job protecting Drew Tate but the last time they played the Eskimos at home, the Esk defense went after Henry Burris all night.
DEFENSE:
Calgary's defense are pretty close in getting all their staters healthy this week. With LB Sean Ware injured, OLB Malik Jackson will be back in the lineup. Jackson was a starter early in the season until he became a healthy scratch due to his inconsistencies. Maybe losing his dreadlock(hair) made his lose his power.
Juwan Simpson after losing his MLB position to Robert McCune has been playing well lately. He will need to be stronger against the Eskimos hopefully chasing Ricky Ray all night. Our DLine are more improved the last few games not giving up a lot of rushing yards in the past few games. Stamps secondary also improved a lot the last few games not giving up a lot of receiving yardage and cut down the penalties.
They have to be better pressuring Ricky Ray all night and not giving him lots of time in the pocket trying to pick his receiver to throw to. With Jerome Messam questionable for the game, Ray will have rely more on his receivers.
SPECIAL TEAM:
K Rene Paredes will play his first playoff game. When Rob Maver gets the green light to be back in the lineup, Huf decided to keep Paredes instead because he played well enough and deserves to play ahead of Maver. P Burke Dales has been good this season with his positional punts. I don't see him changing his styles now. We have seen how good Larry Taylor can be in returning punts or kickoffs. Hopefully we will see the great Larry Taylor in this game. Our special team are actually good this season except for our defensive special teamers. We tend to give up a lot of special team yardage and hopefully with Marc Calixte back in the lineup it will help.
Game starts at 2:30PM at Commonwealth Stadium.
I am so pumped for this game!! I see victory for the good guys.
GO STAMPS GO!!!!
Western Division Semi-Final: STAMPS at Eskimos
