Losers of six straight games, the BC Lions have to find a way to do what they haven’t done since September — win.
If they can’t beat Calgary on Friday night in Vancouver, the Lions’ playoff hopes are done for the 2021 season. Making it tougher is that the Stampeders know a win gets them into the Western Conference playoffs.
BC (4-8) could easily be in the Stampeders’ shoes right now. During the losing skid, the Lions have dropped three games by one possession, including a 26-18 setback last week in Hamilton that put it on the brink of elimination.
“It’s not all the way over … but it hurts,” Lions linebacker Jordan Williams said after that defeat.
Despite all the losses, quarterback Michael Reilly said the team hasn’t quit working to solve the problems.
“Everybody has realized that the best way to get things fixed is to worry about what they’re doing wrong and to get better at it — coaches included,” Reilly said, according to the Vancouver Sun. “Guys still want to be there and they want to figure out how to get this thing fixed.”
The quickest solution might be better defense. During the losing streak, the Lions have allowed an average of 33.7 ppg. The defeat at Hamilton marked the first time they hadn’t permitted at least 30 points in that stretch.
As for Calgary (6-6), a well-timed off-week following a 26-13 victory at Ottawa on Oct. 29 has returned the roster to nearly full strength. Aside from a season-ending knee injury to offensive lineman Nila Kasitati in the first half at Ottawa, the Stampeders are almost a picture of good health.
“I think right now, we’re feeling like our guys are pretty healthy for this year and to make a run at it,” coach Dave Dickenson said, according to the Calgary Sun.
The teams split two earlier meetings this year, with BC winning 15-9 at Calgary on Aug. 12 and the Stampeders prevailing 39-10 in Vancouver on Oct. 16.
–Field Level Media
