BC @ Hamilton preview
Tim Hortons Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 22, 2018 ) Hamilton 32, BC 35
The BC Lions look to continue their postseason push when they visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the finale of a home-and-home set Saturday. The Lions erased an eight-point deficit in the final 33 seconds of regulation en route to a thrilling 35-32 double-overtime victory against the Tiger-Cats in Week 15 to climb back to .500 for the first time in more than two months, and hope to stay on the winning track by downing Hamilton at Tim Hortons Field for the third consecutive time.
BC is tied with Winnipeg for the crossover playoff spot, but has a game in hand and hopes to notch back-to-back victories on the road after losing their previous five games away from Vancouver. Hamilton is left to wonder what could've been after letting a late lead slip away against BC, which caused the Tiger-Cats to fall four points behind the Ottawa Redblacks in the race for the East Division title. June Jones' decision to punt instead of attempting a 45-yard field goal in the final minute that could've put Hamilton ahead by 10 points came back to haunt his team, as it surrendered a touchdown and a two-point conversion on the final play of regulation before Lirim Hajrullahu missed a field goal in overtime to seal their fate. "One play doesn't make a game so we gotta do a better job of scoring more points," Hamilton quarterback Jeremiah Masoli told reporters. "They're all bad and they (stink) so I'm not going to rank this loss."
TV: 4 p.m. ET, TSN
ABOUT THE LIONS (6-6): Jonathon Jennings was named one of the CFL's Top Performers of the Week after he completed 32-of-47 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns in his first start since July 11. Wide receiver Bryan Burnham also received the weekly accolade from the league as he hauled in 10 passes for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns to go along with a vital catch for the two-point conversion, which sent the game into overtime. BC made a statement of intent by acquiring Tyrell Sutton, who has rushed for 417 yards and a touchdown in nine games this season, from the Montreal Alouettes in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2019 CFL Draft.
ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (6-7): Jeremiah Masoli threw for 311 yards and a pair of touchdowns against BC to set a franchise record for most 300-yard games in a single season with 10. John White ran for 63 yards and a touchdown while deputizing for leading rusher Alex Green, who was sidelined with a shoulder issue while Brandon Banks could return after missing the last two games with a pulled groin. Wide receiver Terrence Toliver, who was caught 32 passes for 456 yards and a touchdown in 11 games this season, landed awkwardly on his wrist against BC and his status for Saturday is unknown.
EXTRA POINTS
1. BC has won five of the last six meetings with Hamilton.
2. Burnham has caught a touchdown pass in five straight games.
3. Masoli has thrown for more than 300 yards in four of his last five outings.
PREDICTION: Tiger-Cats 33, Lions 27