Hamilton @ Toronto preview
BMO Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 8, 2018 ) Hamilton 36, Toronto 25
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats look to grab a share of first place in the East Division when they visit the Toronto Argonauts on Friday. The Tiger-Cats pounded the BC Lions 40-10 on Sept. 21 to move within two points of the Ottawa Redblacks, who dropped a 40-32 overtime decision to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Week 17, and Hamilton hopes to take another step in the quest for its first division title in four years by knocking off the Argonauts for the third time this season.
"Our goal is to be in first place and try to get that first-round bye," Hamilton quarterback Jeremiah Masoli told reporters. "We still have to keep winning and take Ottawa's spot so we're focused on what we have to do." Toronto was officially eliminated from playoff contention after its late rally came up short in the 26-23 loss to the BC Lions in Week 17. The Argonauts scored two touchdowns in the final three minutes, but couldn't complete the comeback as they become the first defending Grey Cup champions to miss the postseason since the Edmonton Eskimos in 2006, and hope to salvage some pride by beating Hamilton for the first time this season. "We'll see how that leads up into the last four games of the season," Toronto coach Marc Trestman told reporters. "We want to find out more about our football team and more about ourselves individually and collectively and I'm excited about it."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN
ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (7-7): Wide receiver Brandon Banks (pre-game altercation), defensive lineman Ted Laurent (kicking) and defensive back Frankie Williams (inappropriate gesture) were each fined an undisclosed amount for their actions during the victory over BC. Banks hauled in nine passes for 79 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Lions after missing the previous two games with a pulled groin. Hamilton clinched a postseason berth and a home playoff date while on its week off after the Montreal Alouettes suffered a 12-6 defeat to the Calgary Stampeders on Thanksgiving Monday.
ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (3-11): McLeod Bethel-Thompson was limited to 97 yards on 11-of-18 passing with a touchdown and four interceptions against the Lions to drop his sixth straight game as a starter. James Franklin will get the starting nod Friday after he threw for 103 yards and a pair of touchdowns in relief. Leading receiver S.J. Green caught one pass for seven yards before taking a vicious headshot from BC linebacker Jordan Herdman, who drew an unnecessary roughness penalty, in the first quarter and could miss Friday's clash with a concussion.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Hamilton has won three of the last four meetings with Toronto.
2. Banks has six touchdown catches in his last three games.
3. Franklin is tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (12).
PREDICTION: Tiger-Cats 33, Argonauts 21