Welcome to the latest edition of Three Downs, the Last Word on Sports roundup of what’s to come in CFL Week 4. This week, we’ll look at the Game of the Week, the Player to Watch, and as the Countdown to Kickoff topic: who’s really the best team in the East division?
Three Downs, CFL Week 4
Game of the Week: B.C. Lions at Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Lions head into Mosaic stadium as the top dog in the West and the Roughriders are dead last in the West. The Riders have yet to win a game but, came close last week against the defending Grey Cup champions, Edmonton Eskimos. The Lions have been the surprise team of the season so far as they have won two of their last three games. Saskatchewan’s Darian Durant looks to continue what has been a successful comeback campaign while British Colombia’s Jonathon Jennings looks to rebound from last week’s disappointment.
Both quarterbacks have many options at receivers that they can choose from. Ricky Collins and Shamawd Chambers both establish themselves as Durant favorite targets last week. British Colombia have their dynamic duo with Emmanuel Arceneaux and Shawn Gore who both were stars last week. Both team’s defenses have potential to shut down their opponents. And both teams have the potential to be playoff teams this year.
- Casey Dulson
Player to Watch: Andrew Harris
Andrew Harris was named a 2015 CFL All-Star running back after four 100-yard rushing games and racking up 1,523 yards from scrimmage. Harris has chalked up 324 yards from scrimmage in his first three games with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
As impressive as that is, he is due for an even bigger game and has had some big games in the past against the Edmonton Eskimos defence. If the Bombers can open holes allowing Harris to get to the second level, his shiftiness and ability to survive first contact should mean big gains. Mix in his receiving skills and Andrew Harris is the player to watch against the Edmonton Eskimos this Thursday.
- Darren Popowich
Countdown to Kickoff: Who’s the Beast in the East?
While it may be early in the season, the Wednesday night matchup between the Ottawa Redblacks and the Toronto Argonauts already feels like it has playoff implications. The teams have two wins apiece and while the Redblacks were expected to be among the elite in the East, the Argos were expected to be on a downswing this year. Since the blowout at BMO field against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, head coach Scott Milanovich has the team playing a balanced attack on both offense and defense. Which brought success on the long western road swing to Saskatchewan and B.C.
On the other side, the major reason for Ottawa’s success this year is not reigning MOP Henry Burris, but the play of former Argo Trevor Harris. The 30-year old Quarterback left the Argos in the offseason after they extended veteran Ricky Ray, despite Harris starting 16 games and securing a play off berth for Toronto. After taking over in the first game for an injured Burris, Harris is now leading the CFL in passing yards and touchdowns.
With all these factors in play, this game looks to prove who is the top team in the East out of the gate.
- Greg McCulloch
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