Toronto @ Ottawa preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 23, 2016 ) Toronto 12, Ottawa 29

The Ottawa Redblacks look for their first win of the season when they host the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday. The Redblacks have stumbled out of the starting blocks as they played out a 31-31 tie with the Calgary Stampeders before dropping a 43-39 decision in the Week 2 rematch, and the defending Grey Cup champions hope to find their groove in their first East Division clash of the campaign.

"If you let losses stick with you they're going to leak into the next week," Ottawa quarterback Trevor Harris told reporters. "We have an Eastern game and we have to come out fighting and ready to roll." The Argonauts came crashing down to earth after a promising Week 1 victory as they fell 28-15 to the BC Lions. Toronto was held to one touchdown after piling up 524 yards of total offence in its season-opening 32-15 victory against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but were held to 143 net yards against the Lions, and hope to put the loss in the rearview mirror as the Argonauts prepare for their first road trip of the season. "They are the defending champs and in reality this is going to be a statement game for us," Toronto defensive back Rico Murray told reporters. "It will tell us where we're heading as a team and what direction."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN, RDS

ABOUT THE REDBLACKS (0-1-1): Diontae Spencer was named one of the CFL Top Performers of the Week after racking up 351 yards of total offence and two touchdowns, including an electrifying 96-yard punt return score in the loss to Calgary. Trevor Harris also received one of the CFL Top Performer of the Week honours after throwing for 425 yards and two touchdowns. Running back William Powell missed last week's game through injury, but is expected to return after practicing during the week and A.J. Jefferson, who spent the previous two years with the Argonauts, could recover in time after sitting out last week with an ankle problem.

ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (1-1): Ricky Ray completed 30-of-45 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown against BC to move within two passing TDs of becoming the sixth quarterback in CFL history to throw for 300 in his career. Armanti Edwards, who led Appalachian State to its historic upset of Michigan in 2007, continued his hot start to the season as he caught 10 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown against the Lions. Veteran running back Brandon Whitaker is expected to return to the lineup after missing a game as he took reps with the first-team offence during the week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Harris has thrown for 725 yards and five touchdowns through two games.

2. Toronto DE Victor Butler leads the CFL with four sacks.

3. The Argonauts have won five of the last seven meetings.

PREDICTION: Redblacks 33, Argonauts 24