Much has been made about the embarrassment that is the current state of the Edmonton Elks.
But they’re not the only Alberta team that appears to be in big trouble.
The Calgary Stampeders’ 17-season playoff streak looks to be in serious jeopardy after the team’s 2-5 start to the season.
While that’s not too deep a hole to dig out of in the CFL, the schedule over the next four weeks is a significant issue.
The Stampeders’ next four games are against the three teams widely considered to be at the top of the league — the unbeaten Toronto Argonauts (Friday in Calgary and Aug. 25 in Toronto), the West-leading B.C. Lions (Aug. 12 in Vancouver) and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Aug. 18 in Calgary).
A 2-9 record heading into the annual Labour Day game against the Elks doesn’t seem impossible.
“I think each of us are trying to make sure we look in the mirror. I think each of us needs to do that,” Stampeders GM/coach Dave Dickenson told reporters after his team’s touchdown-less performance in a 25-18 road loss to the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday.
“I do believe the group believes this group will win a lot of football games. The longer you wait on that, it gets tougher.”
As is the case with most losing teams, the quarterback play is in the spotlight.
Jake Maier leads the league in passing yards, but he’s also been turnover prone. There were two more interceptions in Montreal, including one for a pick-six that resulted in the game’s only touchdown and was the difference in the final score.
Turnovers also cost Maier the previous week when he threw for 450 yards in a 43-41 overtime loss to the Ottawa Redblacks.
“I believe in Jake and I know he believes in himself,” Dickenson said. “The guys believe in him. He didn’t play poorly. He just made a throw or two he wanted back. He’s trying to make plays. But he battled.”
Maier, who has eight touchdown throws and 11 interceptions on the season, was promoted to the starting job ahead of Bo Levi Mitchell midway through last season before earning a two-year contract extension.
The Stampeders, however, still are waiting for him to take that next step. It won’t be easy on a short week against an Argonauts team that is full of ex-Stampeders, including head coach Ryan Dinwiddie and defensive co-ordinator Corey Mace.
What We Liked in Week 8
• The play of Lions quarterback Dane Evans, filling in for the injured Vernon Adams Jr., in a win over the Elks. After a down year last season in Hamilton, Evans looked more like the best version of himself.
• Argonauts returner Javon Leake’s 71-yard punt return TD against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Hamilton. Give Leake any space and you appear to be in trouble.
• Tiger-Cats third-string quarterback Kai Locksley’s 75-yard TD reception on a screen pass from Bo Levi Mitchell against Ottawa. Creative call, great execution.
What We Didn’t Like in Week 8
• Mitchell suffering a leg injury requiring surgery on a play that never should have happened with the Ticats closing out a win in Ottawa. The Ticats were worried they were too close to the end zone to kneel down, but even if that’s the case, don’t have your starting quarterback running the ball with the game in hand.
• The Elks’ sad effort in a 27-0 loss to the visiting Lions, extending their home losing streak to a North American pro sports record 21 games. Somehow, the Elks have been shut out by the Lions twice this year.
Power Rankings
1. Toronto Argonauts (6-0, 1st last week): Chad Kelly-led offence wasn’t in top form against Saskatchewan, but defence and special teams carried team to win.
2. B.C. Lions (6-1, 2nd last week): Evans gets a far tougher test this week against Winnipeg.
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-2, 3rd last week): If Blue Bombers can’t beat the Lions this week, B.C. takes season series and key tiebreaker.
4. Montreal Alouettes (3-3, 6th last week): Defence was great in win over Calgary.
5. Ottawa Redblacks (3-4, 4th last week): Dustin Crum finally fell short of a comeback in narrow loss to Ticats.
6. Calgary Stampeders (2-5, 5th last week): Potential return of star running back Ka’Deem Carey from injury could help.
7. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-4, 8th last week): Rookie QB Taylor Powell set to make his second start of the season.
8. Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-4, 7th last week): Team hasn’t looked good without injured QB Trevor Harris.
9. Edmonton Elks (0-8, 9th last week): Team finally made a change this week, elevating Jarious Jackson to offensive co-ordinator and demoting Stephen McAdoo.
Week 9 Picks
B.C. Lions at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-5.5), Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT: Bombers favoured because Lions don’t have their starting QB. But Evans is better than an average backup. PICK: B.C.
Toronto Argonauts (-8.5) at Calgary Stampeders, Friday, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT: Argos trying to go to 7-0 for the first time since 1921. PICK: Calgary
Montreal Alouettes (-2.5) at Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT: Second meeting of year between teams in Hamilton. Als won in Week 3. PICK: Montreal
Ottawa Redblacks (-1.5) at Saskatchewan Roughriders, Sunday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT: East is 8-4 against the West this year. We think Ottawa can continue this trend. PICK: Ottawa
Odds from FanDuel as of Wednesday night.
2023 Picks Record: 15-16