MIKE GOMES
Argonauts.ca Staff
TORONTO — The Edmonton Eskimos’ magic number is two.
With a playoff berth already clinched, the Esks need two more victories to ensure Commonwealth Stadium will host its first playoff game since 2004. The Eskimos control their own destiny and look to continue their winning ways when they take on the Toronto Argonauts this Friday at the Rogers Centre.
Players To Watch:
QB Ricky Ray
RB Jerome Messam
WR Fred Stamps
WR Adarius Bowman
WR Jason Barnes
DL Marcus Howard
LB Domaso Munoz
DB T.J. Hill
DE Greg Peach
Key Injuries:
OL Aaron Fiacconi
OL Kyke Koch
WR Dobson Collins
Storylines:
– Can the Esks move a step closer to hosting a home playoff game?
– Will Jerome Messam continue his strong play against an Argos defensive line that was very active the last time these two teams met?
At 9-6, Edmonton is tied with the B.C Lions for first place in the CFL’s West Division. Winners of two straight, Edmonton has played solid defence in 2011. The Eskimos have allowed the second fewest points (328) in the CFL, only six points behind B.C (322). It’s quite the turnaround for a team that surrendered a league worst 545 points in 2010.
Over the past two weeks, Edmonton has held its opponents to only 11 points while registering seven sacks, four fumble recoveries, and six interceptions. In last week’s game alone, Eskimos’ linebacker Rod Davis had seven tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and an interception. Defensive end Marcus Howard also came up big last week taking down Winnipeg’s quarterback Buck Pierce twice. With nine sacks this season the first year rush end leads the Eskimos, and ranks fifth overall in the CFL, just four sacks behind Winnipeg’s Odell Willis for first place. Edmonton defensive coordinator Rich Stubler has his unit playing inspired football. He needs his group to stay hot heading into next week’s pivotal matchup with the Lions.
Eskimos’ receiver Fred Stamps needs only 64 receiving yards to record his third straight 1000-yard season. The import receiver has already delivered once against the Argos this season, hauling in a 21-yard touchdown pass from Ricky Ray to give the Eskimos a 26-25 win in week five. During that game Toronto’s defensive pressure disrupted the flow of Edmonton’s offence and did not allow Ray to get comfortable in the pocket. The Argonauts sacked Ricky Ray twice and forced two fumbles from the Eskimos pivot.
On Friday, Edmonton’s offensive needs to contain the Argos’ pass rush and clear the way for Toronto-born running back Jerome Messam. In his first season with the Eskimos, the big Canadian running back has 849 rushing yards and is on pace for his first career 1,000 yard season. Messam has been very impressive as of late rushing for 192 yards and two touchdowns in the past two weeks.
Friday’s game will mark the first time Edmonton has travelled to Toronto since 2009. Last year, Toronto’s home game against Edmonton was played in Moncton, New Brunswick. The Eskimos won 24-6 in the CFL’s first ever regular season game in Atlantic Canada.
After watching the Argos down the Calgary Stampeders 31-29 last week, Edmonton knows not to take the 4-11 Boatmen lightly. They are focused on keeping pace with B.C. and bringing their magic number down to just one game.