Edmonton @ BC preview
BC Place
Last Meeting ( Jun 21, 2019 ) BC 23, Edmonton 39
The BC Lions look to build on their first win of the season when they host the Edmonton Eskimos on Thursday in a West Division clash. Sergio Castillo's single off a missed field goal as time expired handed the Lions an 18-17 victory over the Toronto Argonauts in Week 4 and they hope to climb up the West Division standings by avenging a 39-23 loss to the Eskimos on June 21.
"He missed it but he got enough on it to give us a point and we came out with a win," BC coach DeVone Claybrooks told reporters. "It's a step in the right direction and as long as the guys keep working and keep believing then we'll continue to get better." Edmonton won its first two games of the season before dropping a 28-21 decision to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Week 3. The Eskimos, who were off last week, scored eight offensive touchdowns in their first two wins, but were held to seven field goals against Winnipeg, and hope to clinch the season series against the Lions, which could loom large in November after they missed the playoffs in 2018 because of BC holding the tiebreaker. "We want to treat every game as important regardless of who it is but in terms of the standings and season series that stuff does come into play," Edmonton quarterback Trevor Harris told reporters. "We just have to execute, be us and do what we can to win the game."
TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN
ABOUT THE ESKIMOS (2-1): Harris was named one of the CFL's Top Performers for the month of June after throwing for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns without an interception en route to leading Edmonton to a 2-1 record. Linebacker Christophe Mulumba-Tshimanga was added to the active roster after starting 2019 on the six-game injured list and could make his season debut while offensive lineman Jacob Ruby is set to return after a two-game injury absence. C.J. Gable, who leads the team with 347 rushing yards, is questionable after missing practice with a lower-body injury while Edmonton added offensive lineman Eric Lofton to the practice squad.
ABOUT THE LIONS (1-3): Mike Reilly threw for 272 yards and a touchdown in the win against Toronto to become the 26th quarterback since 1950 to start 100 regular-season games. Lemar Durant continued his stellar start to the season as he hauled in nine passes for 125 yards and a touchdown while John White added 138 rushing yards and a TD. Bryan Burnham, who has caught at least one pass in 68 consecutive games, is questionable after missing the Week 4 win with a lower-body issue while defensive end Odell Willis recorded a sack against the Argonauts and is one shy of becoming the 12th player is league history to reach 100 for his career.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Edmonton has dropped seven straight road games dating back to last season.
2. Durant has caught a touchdown pass in each of his first four games in 2019.
3. The Eskimos have committed a league-high 46 penalties this season.
PREDICTION: Lions 28, Eskimos 24