Ticats All Access Game Day Predictor, presented by Sports Interaction: Week 19 vs. Redblacks
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 54.5?
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Ottawa Redblacks are projected to combine for just over 50 points when they play at TD Place on Friday.
The Ticats and Redblacks combined for 55 points in their first meeting this year. In the second meeting, the scoring slowed in the second half, but both teams still managed to combine for 48 points.
The Ticats have made clear, both in conversation with the media, and with a resounding blow-out victory in Montreal, that they will not be going down easily.
Ottawa, on the other hand, still has relevant points to fight for. The Redblacks can still steal first place in the East Division if they manage to secure the victory on Friday.
All signs point to an intense matchup.
The Ticats will be fielding their full complement of starters under the TD Place lights, but Ottawa will be without some key weapons.
Brad Sinopoli is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Sinopoli is second in receiving yards on the Redblacks roster, a consistent second-down release valve, and a ratio-breaking Canadian talent.
Not only are the Redblacks without their second-best receiver, but they must also contend with the ratio implications of his absence. Losing Sinopoli is a significant blow to the Ottawa offence and may impact the Redblacks’ point production.
The Ticats have averaged 33.25 points in their last four outings. Can they continue that rampant scoring this week?
The over/under this week may come down to desire. The Redblacks need this win to contend for a first-round bye, and the Ticats have shown that they are going to make them fight for every inch.
Prediction: Over
- How many receiving yards will Diontae Spencer record? Over or under 54.5?
As previously mentioned, Brad Sinopoli is out of the lineup for the remainder of the season. Every other Ottawa receiver will have to shoulder a little more of the load.
Greg Ellingson has been, and will continue to be, Ottawa QB Trevor Harris’ favourite target. The number-two spot is wide open behind him. Who will step up?
WR Diontae Spencer has been a standout talent for the Redblacks this season. Not only has he made his mark as a receiver but also as a punt returner and kick returner. His return game hasn’t impacted his production as a receiver–Spencer posted over 100 receiving yards as well as 244 combined return yards in his biggest game of 2017.
That being said, Spencer’s return yardage has decreased of late, as the Redblacks seem to be focusing his efforts on the receiving game. Considering the Sinopoli situation, there is little reason why Spencer won’t see increased looks at receiver.
Spencer only averages around 45 receiving yards per game, but he has a couple games over the century mark. Boom or bust: it’s in his blood as a returner.
Prediction: Under
- What will be Jeremiah Masoli’s touchdown/interception ratio at the end of the game?
- 0 TDs/2 INTs
- 0 TDs/1 INT
- 0 TDs/0 INTs
- 1 TD/0 INTs
- 2 TDs/0 INTs
- Other
The answer to this question is a tough one to predict as it depends on so many factors beyond just the play of a single player.
Jeremiah Masoli has worked cleanly in his four most recent games, tossing six picks and just one interception. Masoli has thrown ten touchdowns and four interceptions in eight starts this season.
Ottawa ranks near the bottom of the pack in passing yards allowed per game. They lag behind in interceptions as well, with just 11 on the season, ten behind first place Winnipeg and three behind the league average.
Ottawa has allowed 25 passing TDs on the season, which is about middle of the pack. Their red zone run defence has been more effective, allowing just 9 rushing TDs, second-fewest in the league. If Masoli wants to put it in the end zone, he has a better chance throwing the ball than handing it off.
Prediction: 2TDs/0INTs
- How many yards after catch (YAC) will Shamawd Chambers record? Over or under 29.5?
Chambers has been productive under Head Coach June Jones, but he has done it in a unique way. Coach Jones seems to favour using Chambers on quick-hitters close to the line of scrimmage. He’s been running a lot of flat routes and hitch screens, receiving the ball in close range.
62.5% of Chambers’ total yardage comes after the catch. By comparison, Brandon Banks, the Ticats’ number one receiver in recent weeks, has accumulated just 41% of his yards after the catch since he converted to receiver.
Chambers averages 50.6 receiving yards per game, 31.6 yards of which come with the ball in his hands. Those numbers are bogged down, however, by his performance in the Labour Day rematch against Toronto when he was held off the stat-sheet.
If you expect Chambers to get 80 receiving yards (a feat he has mustered twice in five games), then you can expect 50 YAC.
If you expect Chambers to get 40 receiving yards (closer to his average since joining the Ticats), then you can expect 25 YAC.
Prediction: Over
- How many rushing yards will William Powell record? Over or under 59.5?
William Powell has been an elite running back for Ottawa. He is barely shy of 900 rushing yards despite playing in just 11 games this season.
Powell averages 81 yards per game, but can he maintain his pace against one of the league’s leading run defences?
Prediction: Under
CLICK HERE TO LOCK IN YOUR PICKS!
