Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Ottawa Redblacks Preview
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats welcome the Ottawa Redblacks to Tim Hortons Field on September 14 at 4:00 pm. These sides will clash for the second time this season after Ottawa’s victory at home in week four.
The TiCats have been the worst team in the CFL this season and sit last in the East Division. Ottawa has been one of the most impressive and can secure a playoff spot with a victory in Ontario. Can the TiCats extend their six-year wait for the playoffs for another week or will Ottawa complete the double over Hamilton?
Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Ottawa Redblacks Head-To-Head and Key Stats
The Ottawa Redblacks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats last clashed on June 30 for game week four of the regular season. Hamilton took the lead twice in the first half, but Ottawa fought back to earn the 24-22 victory at TD Place Stadium. Bo Levi Mitchell put on a brilliant performance with 322 passing yards and two touchdowns, but the quarterback was ultimately let down by his defence.
Tim White finished with 118 receiving yards and a touchdown and Steven Dunbar Jr. finished with 90. Ottawa finished with a lower net offence at 335 yards to 375, but found the ruthlessness that the TiCats lacked. Dru Brown finished with 265 passing yards and a touchdown for the Redblacks and Ryquell Armstead put up 103 all-purpose yards. Hamilton levelled the game in the fourth quarter but lost to a walk-off field goal.
The Ottawa Redblacks last played on September 7 against the Toronto Argonauts. Bob Dyce’s team stormed ahead in the first half, effectively ending the contest early on their way to a 41-27 victory. Toronto’s Chad Kelly passed for an incredible 463 yards and three touchdowns, but the Ottawa defence pulled in an impressive four interceptions from last year’s Most Outstanding Player.
It took less than three-and-a-half minutes for Ottawa to score their first touchdown. Defensive back Damon Webb intercepted Chad Kelly’s pass and took it to the house for a pick-six. The Redblacks immediately regained possession when Brandin Dandridge intercepted Kelly’s fourth pass of the evening. Two field goals for Ottawa and one for Toronto ended the first quarter 13-3.
Webb scored his second pick-six of the evening on the first drive of the second quarter before Dru Brown found Andre Miller for a 50-yard touchdown pass five minutes later. A single and a field goal all but confirmed the win with Ottawa entering the break up 31-3. Both teams scored a touchdown in the third quarter, including an impressive 33-yard rushing score from Khalan Laborn. Toronto ended the last quarter 17-3, but the damage had been done and the Redblacks came out deserved winners after one of the most impressive defensive displays of the season.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats had a bye week last weekend and last played on September 2 against the Toronto Argonauts. Hamilton edged out the Argos in a tightly contested battle, despite losing three quarters. An excellent opening quarter helped the TiCats on their way to victory. Bo Levi Mitchell continued his impressive performances in the CFL with 347 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Richard Leonard intercepted Chad Kelly’s pass after just 50 seconds to give Mitchell his first possession of the game. It took just two plays for the two-time Grey Cup champion to score his first of the day, finding Tim White for a 57-yard touchdown. Taulia Tagovailoa scored his first career touchdown on Hamilton’s next possession to extend their lead to 14-0. A spectacular 70-yard touchdown pass from Mitchell to White quickly cancelled a Toronto field goal out to end the first quarter 21-3 to the TiCats.
Hamilton lost the next three quarters and went scoreless in the third, but that convincing performance in the first was enough to keep them above water. The score was tied at 28-28 before Marc Liegghio buried a 55-yard field goal with 2:40 left on the clock. A sack helped force a punt from the Argos and Mitchell saw the game out to snap Hamilton’s four game losing streak.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Ottawa Redblacks Predictions
Correct score prediction: Hamilton Tiger-Cats 26-32 Ottawa Redblacks
Ottawa has been one of the strongest teams in the CFL this year. The Redblacks have the second-best record in the league at 8-3 with the Montreal Alouettes the only team to better them. Hamilton is statistically the worst team in the league on a record of 3-9, placing them bottom of the East Division. The Redblacks can secure a place in the playoffs for the first time since 2018 with a win over the TiCats and look set to do just that. Our football prediction is for an Ottawa Redblacks victory on Saturday.
The Redblacks defence has been strong in the CFL, allowing just 310 points through 11 games. Only two teams have allowed fewer points than Bob Dyce’s side this season. They had arguably the best defensive performances of the season against the Argos last week. Ottawa finished with four interceptions, two pick-sixes from Damon Webb and six sacks for a total loss of 30 yards. Hamilton has the weakest defence in comparison. They have allowed 388 points, more than any team in the league. Ottawa’s defence can carry them to a win.
Right into the spider Webb!@DameWebb gets the interception to start the half for the defence 🕸️#ALLIN | @CFL pic.twitter.com/GxUoywDnGY
— Ottawa REDBLACKS (@REDBLACKS) September 1, 2024
Hamilton is allowing 32.3 points per game but has been strong against the pass. However, they are allowing an average of 107 rushing yards per game. That is the third worst average against the run in the CFL. Ottawa running back Ryquell Armstead averaged 5.1 yards per carry in their last clash. Jamal Morrow will take his place this week after Armstead’s release and he has an excellent chance to announce himself to the Ottawa fans in style. If Dru Brown can’t get things going through the air, Morrow can take the game to Hamilton on the ground.
Bo Levi Mitchell has been let down by his defence this season. The Hamilton quarterback leads the league in passing yards and touchdowns at 3,383 and 21, respectively. As a team, Hamilton averages the most total yards (404.1) and passing yards (322.8) per game in the CFL. This will probably be a high-scoring game, but Ottawa’s defence will be strong enough to help outpoint the TiCats.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Ottawa Redblacks Betting Tips
The Ottawa Redblacks are the road favourites with our online sportsbook, worth -200. They already have a win over the TiCats this season and the Montreal Alouettes are the only team from the East to have beaten them in 2024. However, a moneyline bet on Ottawa has little value at -200 and we think there are better markets to wager on for this game.
The over/under is set at 51.5 in the online betting. The over has landed in three of Ottawa’s last four games and six of Hamilton’s last nine. Both teams have strong offences, and we expect a high-scoring game at Tim Horton’s field. Back the over, worth -108.
Justin Hardy has been one of the best receivers in the league this season. He has 910 receiving yards, placing him second overall in the league. Hardy had 74 from five receptions the last time he met the Hamilton defence and CFL betting will look favourably on the American to have another big game in their second clash. Wager on him to hit over 70.5 receiving yards, worth -115.
Dru Brown slingin’ it, Justin Hardy catchin’ it🔥@dbrownTNDO finds @FreakMagic2 for a 68-yard touchdown in Sunday’s win vs the Elks.#ALLIN pic.twitter.com/moxxtcJOKb
— Ottawa REDBLACKS (@REDBLACKS) July 15, 2024
Ottawa scored 44 points in their last game and averages 28 points scored per game against teams in the East Division this season. Hamilton averages 34.8 points allowed at home. The Redblacks’ offence will be on a high from that game and can play with more freedom, knowing their defence can pick up any of their slack. Bet on Ottawa to score over 27.5 points, worth -120.
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Hamilton Tiger-Cats Team News
Offensive lineman Dayton Black made a full return to practice on Wednesday after his Achilles injury. He should be fit to play against Ottawa with two full training days behind him. There were also returns for defencemen Luke Brubacher and DQ Thomas from respective hamstring and elbow injuries. They will also be available on Saturday. Jamal Peters did not practice on Wednesday after his Achilles injury and is questionable for this game.
Ottawa Redblacks Team News
Zack Pelehos has not practiced this week following his ankle injury and will not appear against Hamilton. There were full returns for fellow linemen Drew Desjarlais, Dariusz Bladek, Cyrille Hogan-Saindon and Dontae Bull and they are all ready to play on Saturday. Brandin Dandridge also made a full return following a knee injury. The medical team limited Kalil Pimpleton in training with a hand injury and is questionable for this game. Tobias Harris, Monshadrik Hunter and Tyron Vrede were also limited and are questionable.
