Redblacks survive against Ticats despite late problems, have edge in final week

The Ottawa Redblacks came up with a vital win in Hamilton Sunday, beating the Tiger-Cats 12-6 and taking the advantage in the race for first heading into next week's decisive game, but they only barely pulled it off. A late pick-six by Hamilton's Brandon Stewart had the return nullified thanks to a pair of penalties, keeping the score at 12-6, and the Redblacks couldn't move the ball themselves once they got it back. They did pin the Ticats at their own one thanks to a rolling punt from Chris Milo (normally a kicker, he was pressed into punting action as well after Ronnie Pfeffer was hurt on a punt earlier in the game) that took a perfect bounce, and they even forced a turnover on downs that should have ended the game, but they gave Hamilton another chance with less than a minute left thanks to a roughing-the-passer hit (which knocked QB Jeff Mathews out of the game). The Ticats were only able to get the ball to the Ottawa 21 under backup QB Jacory Harris, so the Redblacks emerged with the crucial victory and are in great position going into the final week of the regular season, but they got this win by the skin of their teeth. There will be plenty for them to work on going forward if they want to beat Hamilton again in the final week and do well in the playoffs.

To start with, the Ottawa offence had one of its worst days of the year. They were fortunate to have league-leading passer and top Most Outstanding Player candidate Henry Burris available to start this game, as his health was a matter of debate during the week, but Burris didn't look like his typical self Sunday. He completed just 17 of 34 passes (50 per cent) for 187 yards with no touchdowns and an interception, a long way below most of the performances he's turned in this year. Some of that was about drops from receivers and pressure from the Ticats' defence (although the Redblacks' line only gave up one sack), but perhaps there are lingering questions about Burris' health, or perhaps he just had an off day. Either way, he'll need to be better for this team to find postseason success. The ground game also carries a few questions; rookie running back William Powell was effective Sunday, collecting 87 yards on 15 carries (5.8 yards per carry), but he appeared to get hurt late in this one, so his health may be a key element to watch going forward as well.

Fortunately for the Redblacks, their defence and special teams stepped up in a big way Sunday. The Ottawa pass rush put Hamilton quarterback Jeff Mathews under plenty of pressure, sacking him six times and holding him to 20 completions on 35 attempts for 160 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Defensive end Shawn Lemon was particularly outstanding, collecting two sacks and two forced fumbles, but four other Redblacks came through with sacks. Defensive back Abdul Kanneh also added six tackles, a pick and a forced fumble, while fellow DB John Boyett chipped in another important interception. On the special-teams front, Milo had a great day, making all four of his field-goal attempts (and providing all of Ottawa's scoring) and doing decently in the punt game on short notice. Those units will need to continue to excel for the Redblacks to find success going forward, and they'll have to get more from their offence, but they're in prime position to claim first in the East now; they're 11-6 and Hamilton's 10-7, so Ottawa just needs a win or tie against the Ticats next week (or even a loss by less than six points) to take the top spot and its accompanying first-round bye. There's lots of room for improvement, but the Redblacks are in great shape thanks to this victory, narrow as it may have been.