Ricky Ray throws for career-high 505 yards as Argos top Bombers, clinch first in East

Thursday night's game set up as a chance for the Toronto Argonauts to both clinch first place in the East Division and improve their poor play of late, and they accomplished both missions with a 36-21 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The win itself gives the Argonauts first place and its crucial accompanying bye, while the improved play, especially on offence, signals that this team might be a force in the postseason. There are still issues for Toronto to address, and this game against the cellar-dwelling Bombers wasn't as lopsided as the score made it seem (it was a one-possession game late, but then Winnipeg quarterback Max Hall got hurt, the Bombers gave up the ball and Ricky Ray iced it with a touchdown bomb to Dontrelle Inman). Still, compared to the Argos' recent play, this was a strong step in the right direction on several fronts, and that's good news for Toronto fans.

The biggest change came in Ray's performance under centre. Early this year, he was playing at an all-world level before suffering a shoulder injury, but he hadn't looked quite as strong over the past two games since returning. In his first game back against Hamilton on Oct. 14 (Thanksgiving), he completed an impressive 26 of 34 passes (76.4 per cent), but threw his first interception of the season and tossed only two touchdown passes in a 24-18 loss. In his second game back last week against Winnipeg, he looked downright average, completing 21 of 35 passes (60 per cent) for 246 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Things changed this week, though, and we saw a Ray who looked even better than before Thursday. He finished the night with an incredible 39 completions on 45 passing attempts (86.7 per cent) for a career-high 505 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. That's remarkable, and if Ray can keep playing anywhere near an all-world level like that, the Argos will be a team no one wants to face in the playoffs.

The much-maligned Toronto rushing game also improved Thursday, and that was largely thanks to the return of poetry aficionado Chad Kackert. The Argos still didn't run a lot, but they were effective when they did, and that's what really matters. Kackert collected 75 yards on 10 carries (7.5 yards per carry) and provided enough of a ground threat that the Winnipeg defence couldn't cheat against the pass. That opened up space for Ray and the passing game, and it proved vital to Toronto's victory.

This was a good showing from the Argos' defence as well, especially against the pass. They did a much better job against Hall this week than last. In the first game, he completed 30 of 50 passes for 385 yards and a touchdown with a 60 per cent completion rate and just one interception. This week, he was held to 17 completions on 32 attempts (53.1 per cent), and although he tossed two touchdowns and no picks, he collected just 257 yards through the air before getting hurt late in the fourth quarter. Replacement Jason Boltus wasn't any better, completing two of five passes and throwing a game-clinching interception. The Toronto defence also stood up well against the run, containing Will Ford to just 32 yards on nine carries (3.6 yards per carry). Granted, the Winnipeg offence won't strike fear in the hearts of many, but this was one of the best defensive showing the Argonauts had turned in for some time. If they can maintain that effort and keep up their offensive performance as well, they'll be a tough team to knock out in the playoffs.