Jun 18, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly (12) throws a pass against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the second quarter at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images The Toronto Argonauts will aim to clinch second place in the East Division and home-field advantage in the opening round of the CFL playoffs on Saturday afternoon when they host the Ottawa Redblacks.
Winners of two in a row, the Argonauts (9-7) reside a half-game ahead of the reeling Redblacks (8-7-1). The provincial rivals are scheduled to meet in the opening round of the postseason on Nov. 2.
Toronto punched its ticket to the playoffs for the fourth straight season and ended Winnipeg’s eight-game winning streak with a 14-11 decision over the Blue Bombers last week.
“For us to get into the playoffs, we’ve got to beat the best teams in the league,” Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said. “We showed we can do that and now we’ve got to play better.”
Chad Kelly earned CFL top offensive performer of the week honors after completing 16 of 23 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown against Winnipeg. He threw for 463 yards with three scores and four interceptions in Toronto’s 41-27 setback in Ottawa on Sept. 7.
The Argonauts appear to have survived a scare after star running back Ka’Deem Carey exited the game versus Winnipeg with a back injury. Carey, who has rushed for 1,005 yards and six touchdowns this season, was limited in practice on Tuesday with full participation on Wednesday.
Ottawa lost its fourth game in a row with a 19-12 setback to the Montreal Alouettes on Monday.
“It’s tough, you know, not being able to put it in the end zone for our defense, and just play that complementary football like we wanted to,” Redblacks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli told TSN 1200. “We’ve got to figure it out.”
Ottawa’s way of figuring it out appears to be a quarterback change, with Dru Brown taking first-team reps in practice this week in place of Masoli. Brown had been sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in Ottawa’s 24-12 setback against the Alouettes on Sept. 21.
–Field Level Media
