With the unbelievable comeback win this past weekend, the BC Lions have now won three games in a row after a fairly rocky start to their 2018 campaign.
Now at 6-6, the Leos are fourth in the West, but only two points back of the second place Riders.
Receivers Stepping Up
Brian Burnham and Ricky Collins finally seem up to speed, as they’re settling in as the top-targets for Travis Lulay and Jonathon Jennings with Manny Arceneaux injured.
DeVier Posey was a nice addition to the team after being cut from the NFL. Posey was named the Grey Cup MOP last year — through two games with the Leos, he’s accumulated 82 receiving yards on just seven catches.
Return to Form
Most importantly, Jonathon Jennings is finally starting to look like his old self. The Saginaw State Valley product has taken over for Lulay in the last three games and doesn’t seem frazzled.
Jennings hasn’t turned the ball over at a concerning rate, something that’s been a common theme when he’s usually in a rut.
On Saturday against the Ticats, Jennings completed 68% of his passing attempts for 346 yards and three touchdowns. No turnovers.
Jennings is also an upgrade over Lulay at taking off with the ball when needed. He was the leading rusher in Week 15 with Jeremiah Johnson and Chris Rainey not getting many touches.
New Addition
And on Tuesday, the BC Lions traded for 2015 CFL All-Star Tyrell Sutton. The now 31-year-old tailback led the league in rushing yards that year.
The combination of Sutton, Johnson, and Rainey may be the deepest on any active CFL roster.
Defence
Meanwhile defensively, the Lions are creating turnovers and pressuring the QB at an elite pace.
Six interceptions over the last three games, with 17 sacks.
The front-four starring Odell Willis, Shawn Lemon, and Davon Coleman is dialling up pressure consistently, after a little bit of a struggle out of the gate.
All three are currently in the top five of the CFL sack leaders.
Coleman has been brilliant in his first season with BC. The Arizona State product had a few stints in the NFL but has seemingly found a home in Vancouver. Last night, he sacked Jeremiah Masoli three times.
Factor in 2014 MOP Solomon Elimimian for the playoffs, and look out. A linebacking core of Elimimian – Jordan Herdman – Bo Lokombo would be flat-out nasty.
The Last Word
A couple weeks ago, it seemed like the Lions were on their way to making Wally Buono’s last season as a head coach a miserable one. Wipe that thought away.
It doesn’t appear that Ottawa or Hamilton would want to be facing this team in the East Division Semi-Final.
The BC Lions are starting to click on all cylinders, and are putting the whole league on notice.
Watch out.
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