LaboUr Day is coming up this weekend – hope you all enjoy the day off. For CFL fans, this weekend is one of the best of the year, featuring some classic rivalry matchups that have been running for years. Labour Day, of course, also marks my return to work, which is a bummer that absolutely none of the rest of you care about whatsoever (naturally, really), but it’s also one last weekend where I can go out and drink all the beer. A mixed bag, really.

In league news this week:

• On Monday, Winnipeg Blue Bombers star running back Andrew Harris was suspended two games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. According to the league, a test from July 12th came back with trace amounts of metandienone, an anabolic steroid that hasn’t been in regular use for quite some time. This is surprising news, particularly for Harris – he’s been tested three times this year, and both tests came back clean – including one from just ten days prior which was completely clean. That said, I am actually inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt here, as his statement to the media was that he truly did not knowingly ingest the banned substance. Considering the levels indicated in the test, his explanation does seem plausible – but regardless of knowing or not, his loss is definitely going to be felt by the Blue Bombers, as he’s once again leading the league in rushing yards this year.
• On Wednesday, the Bombers made another significant roster move with the release of receiver Chris Matthews; the former Calgary star has underperformed greatly this season, with just twelve catches for 180 yards and a touchdown in six games played. Matthews was injured for two games and a healthy scratch for two others, and with the imminent return of #1 receiver Darvin Adams to the Winnipeg lineup, the writing was on the wall for Matthews. Because Matthews had both A) not played ten games and B) not on the roster after September 1st, the Blue Bombers are no longer on the hook for his salary for the remainder of the season. While Matthews may be gone from Winnipeg, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get snapped up again soon – there are other teams out there in need of help in catching passes.
• Stampeders MOP quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell suffered a setback in practise as he continues to recover from a separated throwing shoulder; he had hoped to return last week, but has been placed back on the six-game injured list – a disappointing turn of events for Calgary, but they still remain a dangerous team.

Onto the games!

WEEK 11 RECAPS

Winnipeg 34 vs. Edmonton 28: Sean Whyte kicked seven field goals, but the rest of Edmonton’s offence sputtered when it mattered most, allowing Winnipeg to claim their eighth victory of the season minus the use of Matt Nichols, their starting QB. Despite throwing for 430 yards on 26-40 attempts, Trevor Harris only managed a single touchdown – a pass to Tevaun Smith late in the fourth quarter that made things close for the Eskimos, but still couldn’t end up tipping the scales in their favour. Winnipeg had the run game going during this one – Andrew Harris and Chris Streveler both rushed for scores, with the quarterback leading the team in yards on the ground in this one, with 95 yards on 14 carries. A pick-six from DB Marcus Rios and four field goals from Justin Medlock also helped the Bombers maintain their place as the top team in the West.

PICK: Edmonton

RESULT: Winnipeg

Ottawa 18 vs. Saskatchewan 40: After an incredibly putrid start to the game, where REDBLACKS QB threw three terrible interceptions on three consecutive offensive drives in the first quarter – he was yanked, as the Roughriders jumped out to an early 17-0 lead thanks to the abysmal Ottawa offence. With Jonathon Jennings in the game to replace Davis, things got marginally better afterwards, but the damage was still done, and Ottawa couldn’t hope to recover. Saskatchewan avenged their Week 2 loss in the nation’s capital with a strong performance in this one, thanks in part to another solid performance from QB Cody Fajardo, who went 24-36 for 241 yards and a TD plus a rushing score. William Powell led the way on offence again for the Riders, with the former Ottawa RB torching his old team for 70 yards on 11 carries plus two touchdowns as well.

PICK: Saskatchewan

RESULT: Saskatchewan

Hamilton 13 vs. BC 10: This was some real classic DEFENSIVE FOOBAW, as some of our commentists refer to it… The Ti-Cats mustered just enough on offence to come away with the victory, while racking up seven sacks and two interceptions on the beleagured home team. That said, the LioUns did put up a fight; DB Garry Peters had a late interception for BC which helped set them up for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter that ended up making things very close. Ultimately, in the end, it was too little, too late, and the Tiger-Cats walked away with the win to maintain their cushion at the top of the East Division.

PICK: Hamilton

RESULT: Hamilton

Montreal 28 vs. Toronto 22: Vernon Adams, Jr. led a spectacular second-half comeback for the Alouettes, as they walked away victorious at the 2019 Touchdown Atlantic game held at Croix-Bleue Mediavie Stadium in Moncton, New Brunswick. With Adams going 19-25 for 335 yards, two TDs, a rushing major, and an interception, the Als managed to rebound through the final 30 minutes of the game to beat the Argos thanks to a balanced attack, which also featured RB Jeremiah Johnson racking up 54 yards and a TD. The Argos’ McLeod Bethel-Thompson also had a strong game once again, going 36-47 for 464 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately for the Argos, the D collapsed when it meant most, as they walked away with yet another notch in the loss column.

PICK: Montreal

RESULT: Montreal

BYE: Calgary (5-4)

WEEK 12 PREVIEWS

Winnipeg (8-2) vs. Saskatchewan (6-3), Sunday, September 1st, 3:00 PM EST: With Matt Nichols hurt, Andrew Harris suspended, and Chris Matthews cut, this team looks very different compared to who the Blue Bombers started the season with on their roster. The Riders are rolling, while the Bombers have a lot of controversy surrounding them. Cody Fajardo continues to be a tremendous asset for Saskatchewan, and the team has really jelled around him. For Winnipeg, it’s not exactly clear what exactly the game plan will be; WR Darvin Adams was taking reps again with the first-team offence this week after being placed on the 6-game injured list at the end of July, and it would definitely help the Bombers to have a key offensive weapon available for use. QB Chris Streveler is mobile; having led the team in carries and rushing yards last week against the Eskimos, it’s hard to say if scrambling will continue to be the game plan – especially considering the ferocious Saskatchewan pass rush.

PICK: Saskatchewan

Toronto (1-8) vs. Hamilton (8-2), Monday, September 2nd, 1:00 PM EST: Hamilton has dominated the Labour Day Classic as of late, and it’s hard to see that changing – particularly in Toronto’s utter lack of a defence this season. While their offence has turned things around as of late, with McLeod Bethel-Thompson looking much more like a true CFL starter than at the beginning of the season, the D unfortunately hasn’t managed to keep up. The Ti-Cats’ offence has definitely slowed down with Dane Evans at the helm, but their D should be strong enough to face down the Argos’ offence – especially with home-field advantage.

PICK: Hamilton

Edmonton (6-4) vs. Calgary (5-4), Monday, September 2nd, 4:30 PM EST: Another traditional Labour Day matchup; Calgary took the first game between these two teams this season, and with Bo Levi Mitchell still not back for the Stamps, it’s going to remain a very even contest. Nick Arbuckle has been up-and-down as the Stamps’ starter, but he was able to beat them before in a tight Week 8 contest, and his 370 yards and 4 TDs in a crazy OT game against the Alouettes show his upside. Edmonton still has the best defence in the league, which is always a plus, but they’ll need their offence to try and get more out of red zone opportunities – Trevor Harris has piled up both pass yards and TDs, but they also lead the league in field goals – an auspicious stat indeed.

PICK: Calgary

BYE: BC (1-9), Montreal (5-4), Ottawa (3-7)

STANDINGS AND STATS

East Division Standings

West Division Standings

Passing Yards

1. Harris, EDM – 3481
2. Reilly, BC – 2437
3. Bethel-Thompson, TOR – 2256

Passing TDs

1. Nichols, WPG – 15
2. Bethel-Thompson, TOR – 14
3. Harris, EDM – 14

Rushing Yards

1. Harris, WPG – 908
2. Gable, EDM – 720
3. Stanback, MTL – 611

Receiving Yards

1. Collins, EDM – 760
2. Banks, HAM – 753
3. Burnham, BC – 719

Sacks

1. Hughes, SSK – 10
2. Davis, HAM – 8
3. Jefferson, WPG – 8

Interceptions

1. Roberson, CGY – 6
2. Rose, WPG – 6
3. Reid, MTL – 3

Field Goals

1. Whyte, EDM – 32
2. Ward, OTT – 27
3. Hajrullahu, HAM – 25

PICK POOL

Not a strong showing from the BC crew this week. Ah well – you can’t win ’em all. Especially if you’re the LioUns.

Remember to submit your picks here! https://www.pooltracker.com/join.asp?poolid=168258 

Enjoy the games, everyone.