Ticats All Access Game Day Predictor, presented by Sports Interaction: Week 8 vs. Winnipeg
Think you know Tiger-Cats football inside and out? In the hours leading up to every Tiger-Cats game, Ticats All Access members can log in and lock in their picks as part of our Game Day Predictor contest, presented by Sports Interaction. Prove you’re the most knowledgeable fan by answering a series of props questions prior to kickoff. The more questions you get right, the more yards you collect for your All Access account, which increase your chances for game day and weekly prizes. Each week, the Predictor player with the most correct answers wins four Club Level tickets to an upcoming Tiger-Cats home game.
Here are five of the questions for this week’s game, and which answers I’ll be choosing. For a full list of questions and to participate in the game, sign up for Ticats All Access and get your answers in: allaccess.ticats.ca/gameday
1. How many points will both teams score combined? Over or under 47.5?
The over/under is tending a little on the low side this week, but there is still cause for consideration.
In two meetings last season, the teams averaged 50 points combined. Both games occurred before Collaros’ return from injury, with Masoli leading the team in his absence. For the Bombers, 2016 started with Drew Willy at the helm, but after Willy lost the starting spot and was traded to the Argos, Matt Nichols took over the number one reps.
Nichols was the starting quarterback in the second meeting with the Tiger-Cats in 2016 when the teams combined for 48 points.
This year the Bombers are averaging more points per game than they did last season, although their 2016 numbers were bogged down by Drew Willy’s offensively stagnant starts. With Nichols at the helm, the 2017 Bombers are averaging almost 34 points per game.
Nichols and the Bombers are coming off two straight come-from-behind victories against East division opponents and cannot be counted out of any contest. Against the Alouettes in week six, the Bombers trailed by 12 with less than two minutes remaining, but managed to erase the deficit and notch a tally in the win column.
The Tiger-Cats’ offensive numbers haven’t been up to expectations to start the season, but the team’s average suffers from a single point outing against Calgary in week six. The Ticats’ offence looked considerably sharper in week seven at Commonwealth where the team posted 28 points against a stingy Edmonton defence.
Unlike the Esks, the Bombers have been vulnerable to aerial attack, and all signs point to a high scoring affair at Tim Hortons Field.
Prediction: Over
2. How many carries will Andrew Harris record? Over or under 9.5?
Harris has been a force for the Blue Bombers, and is a constant threat to put the ball in the end zone. Harris is averaging just over ten carries a game, and is regularly used on short throws and screen passes. In fact, he is His numbers differ greatly on a per game basis, posting a season high of 17 carries and a season low of just 6.
Another point worth considering is the emergence of Timothy Flanders in the Winnipeg backfield. Last week against the Redblacks, Flanders had three carries, but averaged over ten yards per carry with a long rush of 18 yards. If Flanders’ performance earns him more touches per game, he could eat into Harris’ carries.
Prediction: Under
3. How many receptions will Brian Tyms record? Over or under 4.5?
Brian Tyms was touted by many as a likely replacement for Terrence Toliver’s production. Up to this point in the season, Tyms hasn’t shown that game-breaking influence, but he has also lacked the targets to do it.
Things looked up for Tyms last week in Edmonton, where he recorded 6 receptions for 67 yards – his best performance of the season.
At the same time, Collaros spread the ball around against the Esks, with all five starting receivers breaking the 30-yard mark.
Tyms’ chances of going over 4.5 receptions may come down to the production of his teammates. It will be difficult for Tyms to reach that total if everybody is getting touches.
Prediction: Under
4. How many defensive tackles will Justin Capicciotti record? Over or under 5.5?
Capicciotti played an excellent game against the Eskimos in week seven. He led the team in defensive tackles with eight, and added a special teams tackle to boot.
Capicciotti has looked good at defensive tackle for the Ticats so far this season. An added benefit is his national heritage, meaning he represents a ratio benefit as well and likely has an impact on his reps.
Capicciotti is averaging just over three tackles per game, and has come nowhere near matching his eight tackle performance on other occasions this season.
Can he carry last week’s momentum into week eight against the Blue Bombers?
Prediction: Over
5. How many kick/punt return touchdowns will Brandon Banks record? Over or under 0.5?
Brandon Banks is another veteran that hasn’t yet hit his stride in 2017. The elusive kick/punt returner has yet to return one to the house, but it’s only a matter of time.
Banks has hit some major milestones recently, on the back of his best return game of the season. Banks stepped into fourth all-time in punt return yards and sits just 12 shy of third. He also closed in on eighth in combined yards. He achieved the goal by boosting his average return production.
On the heels of an improved showing against Edmonton, Banks can capitalize on a Winnipeg special teams that ranks last in the league in average kick/punt returns allowed.
And, most importantly, he’s due.
Prediction: Over
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