during first half CFL action in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, August 13, 2016. (CFL PHOTO - Jimmy Jeong)
Ticats All Access Game Day Predictor, presented by Sports Interaction: Week 14 vs. Lions
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
- How many points will both teams score combined? Over or under 47.5?
The last time the Tiger-Cats and Lions met, the Lions showed up at Tim Hortons Field with a streaking Jonathon Jennings in tow. In BC’s first play from scrimmage, Ticats defensive tackle Davon Coleman leveled Jennings after he tossed a deep-ball interception to cornerback Richard Leonard. Jennings would be forced from the game, and would miss the following three weeks. Since then, the Lions have seen Jennings and Lulay split time, unable to establish the same offensive consistency they possessed early in the season. With the recent injury to Travis Lulay, the Lions are locked in with Jennings at the number one spot.
It will be a much different picture in BC when the Tiger-Cats visit the Lions for the rematch. Jennings has struggled in his last handful of starts, averaging just over 200 yards per game, surrendering 10 interceptions, and throwing for just four touchdowns. He’s also been using his legs less. In the first three games of the season, Jennings averaged around 30 rushing yards per game. In the last three, he’s averaged just over 10. With the BC Lions finding themselves in the West Division basement for the first time this season, the Tiger-Cats will likely find themselves facing a desperate squad in Vancouver.
The Ticats have been on a different trajectory than the Lions recently. The Ticats have won two of their last three games, suffering a defeat in their most recent contest at the hands of the streaking Roughriders. Despite losing the turnover battle by a wide margin, the Ticats found themselves in a position to tie the game on the final drive. It hasn’t always been pretty, but the Tiger-Cats have been in a position to win each game since Jeremiah Masoli was handed the keys three short weeks ago.
Considering the average point production of both sides, the teams can be expected to combine for 46.6 points on Friday. But every factor must be considered: a slumping Jennings, a jet-lagged Ticats team playing at 11pm ET, and a tabbies’ defence that has started to hit its stride.
Prediction: Under
- How many receiving yards will Mitchell Baines record? Over or under 24.5?
The Ticats made a number of signings earlier in September. The relatively big names that inked with the Ticats were veteran special teamer, Ben D’Aguilar, formerly of the Calgary Stampeders, and Willie Quinn, an explosive international returner, formerly of the Ticats’ negotiation list. Slipping under the radar at the time was Mitchell Baines, formerly a standout Canadian University talent.
Baines signed with the Roughriders earlier this season and attended training camp before he was released. With a number of injuries to national Tiger-Cats in recent weeks (including Ted Laurent, Terrell Davis, Mike Atkinson, Giovanni Aprile, and Nicholas Shortill among others), Hamilton was thirsting for some home-grown talent. For the last two games, the Ticats have been starting two national receivers, and Baines was asked to slot into the lineup after a relatively short adjustment period.
Baines seized the role, and recorded 19 yards on 2 receptions, fighting for good yardage after the catch. His production only stands to increase as he gains greater familiarity in the Ticats’ offence.
One thing that may impact his offensive production is the recent trade for veteran national receiver, Shamawd Chambers. The Ticats know what they’re getting with Chambers, a tall, rangy receiver that checks two key boxes for the Ticats: height and a Canadian passport.
If Baines starts, his chances of reaching the 25 yard mark are good. If he backs up Chambers or the Ticats other starting national wideout, Mike Jones, his chances are slim at best.
Prediction: Over
- How many yards will Jonathon Jennings throw for? Over or under 234.5?
Jonathon Jennings has struggled in his most recent starts. The promising youngster is the Lions’ future, but his recent play has been something to forget. He’s averaged just 209 yards per game through the last three weeks, and was yanked in lieu of Travis Lulay in the Lions’ week ten loss to the East-leading Redblacks.
In addition, the Ticats defensive backfield has been playing much improved football. Richard Leonard is continuing to make his mark in his rookie season; Demond Washington has settled into his role (spitting incident not withstanding); and all-star Emanuel Davis has returned from injury. The group has been playing some shut down ball, and the 27 points conceded against Saskatchewan shouldn’t be an indicator of performance, as they were contending with poor field position resulting from a slew of turnovers. The group allowed the Roughriders to amass just 231 yards passing. For some perspective, Masoli passed for 328 yards to post just 19 points the other way.
Jennings will find a way out of his slump before things are said and done, but he’s going to have to wait at least another week until he does.
Prediction: Under
- How many receiving yards will Chris Rainey record? Over or under 27.5?
The BC Lions have an offensive weapon in their return-man Chris Rainey, but they may not have figured out how to use him. Some games he is targeted for as many as six touches and some games as few as two. His numbers are heavily dependent on whether or not the game plan favours him, and Rainey may be frustrated with his sporadic use.
Jeremiah Johnson had over 100 all-purpose yards and a touchdown the first time the Ticats and Lions met this season. If he has another big game this week, Rainey’s productivity may take a hit.
Prediction: Under
- Which player will have the most defensive tackles in the game?
- Soloman Elimimian
- Larry Dean
- Micah Awe
- Simoni Lawrence
- Loucheiz Purifoy
- Other
Simoni Lawrence had his best game of the season last week against the Roughriders, recording six defensive tackles, two quarterback sacks and a forced fumble.
Micah Awe has impressed since he earned the start at linebacker for the Lions and is coming off a five tackle performance in Calgary.
Loucheiz Purifoy has been a tackling machine since he shifted from safety to defensive halfback in the Lions secondary.
Soloman Elimimian is the league’s leading tackler and the 2014 MOP.
But Larry Dean leads the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in tackles this season and is on pace to record over 100 by week 20. He will take advantage of the home crowd and lead the game in tackles.
Prediction: Larry Dean
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