The last 2015 CFL East Final is nearly here, and it’s the one that’s been shaping up all season: the Ottawa Redblacks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. They’ve been trading the lead in the division for most of the year, and if Hamilton hadn’t lost its first- and second-string quarterbacks, this would be their game. Of course, if Hank Burris weren’t defying space and time and playing the best football of his career, Ottawa wouldn’t be hosting the game.
The two teams met in two highly-anticipated clashes to close out the season, and Ottawa took the first one in a tight, close game, and the second in a blowout. But the Tiger-Cats showed their fearsome spirit and fight in a last-second win over Toronto in the East semi. Now they’re lining up for a berth in the Grey Cup. Let’s see what our LWOS analysts think of this very tight contest.
2015 CFL East Final
LWOS Staff Predictions
Kelly Bale: Hamilton 26 – Ottawa 34
Matthew Bin: Hamilton 31 – Ottawa 29
Nicholas di Giovanni: Hamilton 12 – Ottawa 25
Lance Keiser: Hamilton 28 – Ottawa 24
Greg McCulloch: Hamilton 20 – Ottawa 33
Gina Schiltz: Hamilton 28 – Ottawa 30
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Lance’s thoughts: The East final presents itself this Sunday and for a third consecutive season the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are in the game.
The Ticats got there with a scrappy last-second win, which showed heart, hustle, and the coaching skills of Kent Austin. Whether you think of it as luck or maybe something else there is something magical about Austin when he is coaching in the playoffs: every year he has coached in the CFL he has been to the big show.
This may be the Tabbies’ biggest test in a Eastern final under Austin. Never mind the noise that TD Place will be bringing on third-stringer-turned-Steeltown-hero Masoli; the Ticats will have to deal with Henry Burris, who will most likely win MOP for 2015.
Let’s move onto that heart that Hamilton plays with. When a team loses a Grey Cup, it’s devastating for everyone, top to bottom in the organization. To lose two straight and still have a chance at a third shows that this team is special. And when the Tiger-Cats’ D is on point, it won’t matter if it’s Masoli playing or not.
Hamilton’s X factor in the Eastern showdown is Brandon Banks. Look for him to bust a big return to turn the tide if things are going south early for the black and yellow. Austin will have his group fired up, as they should be. As the saying goes, third time’s a charm.
Ottawa Redblacks
Nick’s thoughts: The Redblacks are playing their first ever play-off game, and the first in Ottawa in over 30 years, as clear favourites. After beating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the final two games of the regular season, the Redblacks are ready to take on their provincial rivals once more.
A division title and bye week has rested some of their key players, such as Forrest Hightower, Jerrell Gavins and Maurice Price took advantage of the rest week to fully recover from bumps and bruises suffered late in the season.
Offence
At 40 years old, Henry Burris is still breaking records and dismantling defences. Burris found the weaknesses in the Ticats’ strong defence and exploited them to the tune of 56 points. In order to win this week, he won’t need to change anything, just continue doing what he’s doing – throwing touchdowns.
The offence can receive a huge boost with Jeremiah Johnson coming off the injured reserve and resuming practising this week. Should he remain on the sidelines for this contest, the team is still in the safe hands of Burris and his wide-outs in Brad Sinopoli, Chris Williams, Ernest Jackson and Price. This offence has some power to do some real damage and send a message going into the Grey Cup – assuming they make it, of course.
Defence
Throughout the 2015 season, the league was mesmerized by the powerful defence of the Ticats, but the Redblacks quietly overtook them as the second-ranked defence in the league, right behind the Edmonton Eskimos – and they only allowed one extra yard per game than the Eskies. The front seven is certainly a force to be reckoned with and will be in Jeremiah Masoli’s face all day long.
With Hightower and Gavins set to return, deep threats will be nullified and the Ticats will need to rely on short passes and out-swingers to generate an attack. Simply said, this defence is just too strong for Hamilton to pierce. They held them to 34 points this season and will hold them one more time on their way to a victory.
Special Teams
Special teams is the Redblacks’ weakest facet in comparison to the Ticats. Returner Jamill Smith is no where near the talent level of Brandon Banks and kicker Chris Milo does not possess that clutch instinct that Justin Medlock has. However, Milo won a Grey Cup in Saskatchewan in 2013 – against Hamilton, too – and is looking to kick his way to another. He has been stellar making field goals since joining the Redblacks in August but extra points remains his kryptonite. With punter Ronnie Pfeffer likely out with an injury, Milo continue with punting duties. He punted a stellar game in Hamilton three weeks ago, including a coffin punt that put the game out of reach for Hamilton. Ottawa will need those accurate punts again.
This game will not be decided by special teams and the Redblacks should not worry too much about their weakness in special teams compared to Hamilton’s strength.
Summary
Nick and Lance both make good points about the two East semi-finalists. On paper, and based on previous results, Ottawa is a lock for the Grey Cup spot. But where Hamilton has an edge is in the intangibles – those little extra things that make the difference in big games. We saw plenty of those last week, like Medlock’s clutch kick for the win, and Masoli’s impressive 42-yard touchdown toss to Bakari Grant. But we also saw the Redblacks ruthlessly and relentlessly pick apart the Ticats on offence and defence for two straight weeks.
The odds are favour Ottawa, but don’t count Hamilton out just yet. And don’t miss a minute of what promises to be an epic Eastern final.
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