Jordan Lynch saves the game for the Eskimos...with his special-teams tackling?

The Edmonton Eskimos eventually emerged with a 15-12 win over the Montreal Alouettes Thursday, and a big part of the reason they did was backup quarterback Jordan Lynch. Lynch, mostly used in a few run-focused packages, threw the Eskimos' only touchdown pass of the night, a four-yard strike to Kenny Stafford. He also picked up nine rushing yards on three carries. However, while the touchdown was big, another quarterback might have thrown that if Lynch hadn't been subbed in. His biggest contribution of the game was more unique, and it came on an only-in-the-CFL moment on special teams. Lynch made a crucial tackle inside the Alouettes' end zone on a booming Grant Shaw punt from near midfield, giving Edmonton a rouge, tying the score at 12 late in the contest, and paving the way for Shaw's eventual 28-yard field goal. It's exceptionally rare to see a quarterback used on punt cover teams, but Lynch has proved valuable in that role as well as under centre. He was a big part of the Eskimos' win Thursday.

Lynch, the former Northern Illinois star who holds the NCAA single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback (1,920), has been a valuable piece for Edmonton so far this year. He's largely playing the role that Pat White had so much success in last season before his retirement, subbing in for run-focused packages, but he's shown decent passing ability too, and he's been a valuable part of the cover teams as well. On a night when they couldn't produce much offence, he was crucial, contributing their only offensive points with that pass to Stafford. (The other points came from Shaw's game-ending field goal, just one of four attempts he made on the night, three singles, and a safety.) His game-tying tackle might have even been more important, though, taking the pressure off the Eskimos and paving the way for a defensive stand, a drive led by backup quarterback James Franklin and Shaw's field goal at the buzzer.

Of course, Lynch wasn't the only important piece for Edmonton Thursday. The defence was phenomenal, led by Odell Willis' three sacks and defensive back John Ojo's interception, but five other players contributed sacks, part of a defensive effort that put Montreal quarterback Rakeem Cato under pressure all night. Cato finished with just 14 completions on 22 attempts (63.6 per cent) for 178 yards with no touchdowns and a pick. The Eskimos also shut down the Alouettes' rushing game; Montreal picked up just 63 rushing yards on the night and averaged just 4.8 yards per carry. Moreover, Edmonton got strong offensive showings from Franklin (who completed nine of 13 passes for 144 yards with a 69.2 per cent completion rate in relief of starting QB Matt Nichols, who left with an apparent head injury after throwing for just 130 yards with two picks), running back Shakir Bell (70 rushing yards on 11 carries, 6.4 yards per carry), wide receiver Derel Walker (125 receiving yards on 10 catches) and Stafford (61 receiving yards on four catches). The contributions from Lynch may have been most crucial, though, and he turned out to be just the hero the Eskimos needed.