3 keys to victory for Ottawa, Hamilton in Week 21
Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca
Player in white uniform carries football with player in black uniform behind him.
HAMILTON — The Ottawa REDBLACKS and Hamilton Tiger-Cats will try to head into the offseason with a win when they meet Saturday afternoon.
Ottawa broke into the win column with a 40-39 defeat of the Toronto Argonauts in Week 20.
Hamilton had a bye after a loss to the Edmonton Elks.
The Ticats beat the REDBLACKS 34-16 in Week 18, the only other meeting this season.
Here’s three keys to victory for both teams ahead of Saturday's 3:00 p.m. ET kickoff, which can be watched on TSN in Canada and on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.
RELATED
» Depth Charts: OTT | HAM » Game Notes: REDBLACKS at Tiger-Cats » Tickets: Ottawa at Hamilton » Injury Reports: Stay up to date » Who’s gonna win? Play CFL Pick ‘Em presented by Old Dutch now! » Sign up and watch CFL games on CFL+ in the U.S. and Internationally
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
1. BRYSON BARNES BACK FOR MORE
Quarterback Bryson Barnes was instrumental in his team’s first win of the season, throwing for 339 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll have his work cut out for him against a Ticats pass defence surrendering an average of 273.3 yards, a league-low through 20 weeks.
2. KALIL PIMPLETON EYES RETURN RECORD
Receiver and returner Kalil Pimpleton needs 70 kickoff return yards to set the single-season Canadian Football League record, which is currently held by Ian Smart with 1,805. The main goal is setting up Barnes and the offence with good field position, and if he can, he could make history.
3. BE METHODICAL
Ottawa ranks last in big plays this season, defined as passes over 30 yards and runs over 20, with 29, 11 less than eighth-ranked Saskatchewan. Going up against a Ticats team that’s allowed the fewest 30-yard completions of any team with 15, receivers Ayden Eberhardt and Justin Hardy will need to help Barnes sustain drives and move the chains.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
1. PASS DEFENCE
As Barnes tries to build on his most recent performance, Ticats defensive backs Stavros Katsantonis, Destin Talbert and Quavian White will aim to make life tough on his targets. The trio has combined for 18 pass knockdowns and six interceptions.
2. TRE FORD GETS THE START
Hamilton hands the ball back to quarterback Tre Ford to lead the offence under centre. He’ll look to use his arm and his legs to find success against a defence he hasn’t seen this year. On the season, he’s thrown for 1,293 yards and rushed for an additional 424.
3. KENNY LAWLER AND KIONDRÉ SMITH
Receiver Kiondré Smith is 72 yards shy of reaching 1,000 for the second straight season, while teammate Kenny Lawler is 111 away from achieving the milestone in consecutive seasons and for the third time in his career. The ball should be going their way with consistency against a REDBLACKS defence that is allowing a league-high 346.5 passing yards per game coming into the week.
NEED TO KNOW:
Hamilton has won the teams’ past five matchups and 15 of the last 17.
Ottawa last won in Hamilton on October 27, 2018.
REDBLACKS linebacker Alonzo Addae is second in the league with six interceptions.
With three catches, Smith can reach 300 for his career.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET and can be watched on TSN in Canada and on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.