Hamilton @ BC preview
BC Place
Last Meeting ( Sep 22, 2017 ) Hamilton 24, BC 23
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats look to stay in contention for their first East Division title in four years when they visit the BC Lions in the opening game of a home-and-home set Saturday. The Tiger-Cats dropped a 43-28 decision to Calgary - their 14th straight regular-season defeat to the Stampeders - to fall out of the top spot in the division and hope to keep pace with the Ottawa Redblacks.
"The thing that gets my attention is that BC is leading the league in takeaways," Hamilton coach June Jones told reporters. "We're going to have to do whatever it takes to shut them down and it's going to take a total team effort." The Lions look to continue their playoff push following a 32-14 victory against the Montreal Alouettes in Week 14. BC has won two straight games, but the victory against the Alouettes came at a heavy cost as quarterback Travis Lulay suffered a shoulder injury which will sideline him for the next 4-to-6 weeks, thrusting Jonathon Jennings back into the spotlight after losing the starting job because of inconsistent play earlier in the season. "It's the next guy up mentality and I've just got to do my job," Jennings told reporters. "That's what I'm here for at this moment in time and I've got to play good football to help this team win."
TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN
ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (6-6): Running back John White is likely to get his first start of the season after Alex Green suffered a shoulder injury in the loss to Calgary which will sideline him for at least a week. Defensive back Don Unamba was fined an undisclosed amount for headbutting Calgary running back William Langlais late in the fourth quarter after Romar Morris scored the game-sealing touchdown. Wide receiver Brandon Banks, who has registered a team-high eight 100-yard games in 2018, will be a game-time decision after missing out against Calgary with a groin injury.
ABOUT THE LIONS (5-6): Jennings threw for 180 yards and a touchdown after Lulay separated his shoulder in the first quarter to lift BC to its first road win of the season. Defensive back Anthony Orange was named one of the CFL's Top Performers of the Week after he finished with two interceptions, including a 54-yard pick six, against the Alouettes to take his season total to a career-high four INTs. Veteran fullback Rolly Lumbala will be back in the lineup after skipping the win against Montreal to attend his father's funeral while BC signed linebacker Doug Parrish to the practice roster.
EXTRA POINTS
1. BC has won four of the last five meetings with Hamilton.
2. Hamilton QB Jeremiah Masoli has thrown for 300 yards or more in nine games this season.
3. The Lions lead the league in sacks (31) and interceptions (16).
PREDICTION: Tiger-Cats 33, Lions 27