TORONTO — Two teams that split their season series go head-to-head Sunday in the Eastern Semi-Final. Injuries have plagued the Tiger-Cats and the Eskimos are playing their best football of the season at the right time. CFL.ca looks at which team has the advantage at each major position heading into Sunday’s playoff game in Hamilton.
Quarterbacks
Zach Collaros has the ability of an elite quarterback but faces an uphill battle with so many injured receivers on the sideline. It’s hard to argue with Mike Reilly, who put up one of the best seasons for a quarterback in Eskimos history.
ADVANTAGE: EDMONTON
Running backs
Whether it’s John White, Shakir Bell or both, the Eskimos remain one of the CFL’s most productive teams on the ground (101.4 yards per game, second in the league). C.J. Gable will have a central role for the Ticats but the Esks have the advantage.
ADVANTAGE: EDMONTON
Receivers
The Ticats are hurting everywhere but nowhere more than receiver, where they’ll especially miss leading contributor and Most Outstanding Player nominee Andy Fantuz. Considering Adarius Bowman and Derel Walker are the most productive duo in CFL history this year, safe to say this one’s a landslide.
ADVANTAGE: EDMONTON
Offensive line
Xavier Fulton provided some much-needed relief for the Ticats in the wake of injuries while Brendan Revenberg has been solid. Still, Matt O’Donnell and Justin Sorensen anchor what’s been a solid O-line in the City of Champions.
ADVANTAGE: EDMONTON
Defensive line
Almondo Sewell and Odell Willis can be a handful, but it’s hard to say any defensive line in the CFL has given opponents more trouble than the front four of the Ticats. John Chick, Adrian Tracy and Justin Capicciotti on the outside and Ted Laurent teaming up with Drake Nevis in the middle? Look out.
ADVANTAGE: HAMILTON
Linebackers
Both quarterbacks better be aware with the likes of Simoni Lawrence and Deon Lacey patrolling the field. The Ticats and Eskimos have active linebcaker groups and it’s hard to pick between them.
ADVANTAGE: PUSH
Defensive backs
Ranking sixth and seventh in the league respectively with more than 300 passing yards allowed per game, the Ticats and Eskimos have struggled to overcome injuries and off-season departures in the secondary. If Hamilton can get Courtney Stephen back that might push the needle.
ADVANTAGE: PUSH
Return game
The Esks have struggled all year to settle on a full-time returner while Hamilton has the best there is in Brandon Banks. Banks can and has won playoff games virtually all on his own and can easily give an underdog that extra push.
ADVANTAGE: HAMILTON
Kicking game
Brett Maher can do the job but it’s hard to pick a kicker who’s been more consistent than Sean Whyte. Whyte leads the CFL with a 93.5 per cent success rate on field goals, including 41 of 41 from inside the 50.
ADVANTAGE: EDMONTON
