Ottawa Redblacks vs Toronto Argonauts Preview
The Ottawa Redblacks and Toronto Argonauts clash for the first time this season on September 7 at 2:00 pm. Both sides are looking to bounce back from disappointing losses on the road last week.
Ottawa has been one of the best teams in the league, sitting second in the East Division with the second-best overall record in the CFL. Toronto is below them in third place with a 6-5 record. Can the Argos turn around their road form or will the Redblacks widen the gap between the two sides?
Ottawa Redblacks vs Toronto Argonauts Head-To-Head and Key Stats
The Ottawa Redblacks and Toronto Argonauts last clashed in the final week of the 2023 regular season. The Argos held on despite a late rally from Ottawa to win 27-22. Toronto played their offence mainly through the air, with Cameron Dukes finishing with 317 yards and a touchdown from 22 attempts. It was not all plain sailing, as Dukes also threw two interceptions. Some impressive chunk plays, including a 61-yard pass to Dejon Brissett, highlighted Dukes’ arm strength on that day.
Ottawa mixed up their offensive plays with 273 passing yards, two touchdowns from Dustin Crum, as well as 124 rushing yards between Crum and Devonte Williams. Crum also threw two interceptions, with one pick-six to open the scoring for Toronto. Wide receiver Justin Hardy finished with an impressive 119 receiving yards and a touchdown, but his efforts were not enough to see Ottawa over the line.
The Ottawa Redblacks last rolled out to play the BC Lions in the second of a doubleheader on September 1. The Touchdown Classic game took place on neutral ground at Royal Athletic Park. Ottawa failed to do the double over the Leos, falling to a disappointing 38-12 defeat after winning 34-27 a week prior.
Ottawa’s defence looked shaky from kickoff and allowed a touchdown on BC’s first possession. Their offence was not much better, failing to score in the first quarter as the Lions raced ahead by 10 points. The Redblacks only managed two field goals in the second quarter while their defence put on a disaster class to allow the Lions out of sight. BC scored three touchdowns on three straight possessions to make it a four-score game heading into the break.
Bob Dyce’s team managed one touchdown for the rest of the game before the Leos scored their fourth to end a terrible day at the office for Ottawa. Their offensive line allowed four sacks, their net offence was just 247 yards, and their second down percentage was a measly 23.8.
The Toronto Argonauts last played on September 2 against division rivals the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Returning quarterback Chad Kelly could not secure the victory in his first road game back as Toronto fell to a 31-28 defeat despite winning three quarters. A terrible first quarter allowed Hamilton to storm ahead, and the Argos could not recover.
Chad Kelly began poorly, throwing an interception on the game’s second play. The Hamilton offence made no mistake, scoring a touchdown from the turnover 40 seconds later. Another unsuccessful Toronto drive put the ball in the hands of Bo Levi Mitchell and the TiCats made it two touchdowns from two possessions. A field goal split a hat-trick of touchdowns and Toronto finished the first quarter down 21-3.
Chad Kelly finished with 322 yards, one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown. That was not enough for a comeback after the Argos’ nightmare start. Toronto outscored Hamilton in the second, third and fourth quarters and even kept the TiCats scoreless in the third. A poor second-down percentage and slow-to-start defence made the difference at Tim Hortons Field.
Ottawa Redblacks vs Toronto Argonauts Predictions
Correct score prediction: Ottawa Redblacks 24-19 Toronto Argonauts
Ottawa and Toronto enter this game on the back of poor performances. Both sides will look to avenge defeats from last week, but the Redblacks will have too much for their opponents. They are unbeaten at home this season with a 5-0-1 record at TD Place. Toronto’s road form has been awful this season and they are just 1-4 away from BMO Field. Our football prediction is for Ottawa to recover from last week’s performance and get back to winning ways.
Ottawa’s Dru Brown has been excellent this season. He has already beaten his passing touchdowns from last year, finding the end zone on 10 occasions through the air in 2024. Toronto has been one of the strongest teams in the league at defending against the run but one of the poorest through the air. They are averaging 291.7 passing yards allowed per game while Ottawa ranks fourth in the CFL in the same metric. Brown can shine against this defence with main target Justin Hardy in tow.
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
Toronto has been the best-rushing outfit in the league this season, averaging 117.5 yards along the ground per game. However, Ottawa has been one of the best defensively, with Toronto and the Saskatchewan Roughriders allowing fewer rushing yards per game. They can keep the Argos’ star running back Ka’Deem Carey quiet on their way to victory.
There was at least one positive to take from Toronto’s loss last week. Rookie receiver Kevin Mital had a superb performance, finishing with an 88.5 receiving grade. He caught three times from three targets for 53 yards. Two of those plays were for over 15 yards. With Ottawa boasting a strong run defence, the Argos may have to switch mentality for this game. Mital’s performance will give Kelly confidence and Ottawa must keep him under wraps.
Ottawa Redblacks vs Toronto Argonauts Betting Tips
The odds are tight between these sides. Ottawa are the favourites at -125, with Toronto not far behind as -102 underdogs. You rarely see both sides enter odds-on in the moneyline betting, which shows both sides’ quality. However, Toronto has one of the worst road records in the CFL, while Ottawa has the best home record. The Redblacks are set to bounce back from last week’s defeat and we like a bet on Ottawa to gain the victory.
Justin Hardy has been one of the best receivers in the league this season. He has 853 receiving yards for Ottawa, placing him second overall in the league. The American is averaging 77.5 yards per game, three more than his prop line, for anyone betting on the football this week. Toronto’s defence has been poor against the pass and Brown can take advantage by linking up with Hardy. Bet on the former Atlanta Falcons man to hit over in receiving yards.
Flying under the radar, receiver Justin Hardy tops the @CFL in yards-per-game, and is second in yards-per-reception
“He cares about the team first. You love to have that kind of guy in the locker room," said fellow REC Bralon Addison
🗞️ | https://t.co/nLHgx5S9xB pic.twitter.com/hilNXwWZu0
— Ottawa REDBLACKS (@REDBLACKS) June 29, 2024
The spread line for this game is set at 1.5. Ottawa has been one of the best teams to back Against The Spread (ATS) this season. They have a record of 7-4 ATS with just one team boasting a better record in the CFL markets. All of their home victories have been at point differentials of two or more. Toronto has the inverse record at 4-7, the second-worst in the league. Bet on the Ottawa Redblacks ATS, worth -112.
Live betting is also an option for this game. With the moneyline tight between these sides, an in-play bet on Toronto to win the game could be a good wager if they look strong. It is worth noting Chad Kelly has never lost when playing against the Ottawa Redblacks. With the former Mr Irrelevant back at the helm in Toronto, the Argos have as good a chance as ever at beating the second-best team in the league.
Ottawa Redblacks Team News
Ryquell Armstead was released this week. The team signed former Saskatchewan running back Jamal Morrow as his replacement, and he will play on Saturday. Bryce Carter has re-injured his shoulder and was out of training this week. Carter is not likely to feature in the Toronto game. The medical team limited Tyron Vrede in training following a knee injury. He is questionable to play on Saturday.
Toronto Argonauts Team News
Wide receiver Tommy Nield and defensive lineman Jordan Williams missed the Labour Day game against Hamilton. They trained in full the week prior, and their omission was a game-time decision. They should return against Ottawa. John Haggerty played through his back injury against the TiCats with no troubles and looks fit to punt for the Argos once again on Saturday.
