Heading into the second half of a two-game homestand, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-3) welcome the Ottawa Redblacks (3-2) to Tim Hortons Field Saturday afternoon. The Redblacks visit Hamilton coming off a 29-25 victory over the BC Lions, while the Tiger-Cats look to shake off consecutive losses to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. With a win Saturday, the Tiger-Cats can move into a tie with the Redblacks for first place in the East.
These are the three keys to the game.
Win your home games
June Jones has said to be successful in the Canadian Football League, you have to win at home.
This week, he has put extra emphasis on winning home games.
“It’s a long season, but you sure don’t want to lose two home games,” Jones said.
Divisional games are twice as important
“It counts as double, really,” Jones said about games against opponents within the division.
With Hamilton sitting one win and two points behind the Redblacks, this matchup serves as a major swing game, where the winning team can simultaneously take two points, while preventing the opponent from keeping pace.
Know thy opponent
As Jones gets his squad ready for its first game against Ottawa this season, he tips his cap to his opponents’ preparation.
“Well I know one thing, they’re very well coached,” Jones said.
Noting that Ottawa doesn’t alter very much on a week-to-week basis, Jones said, “They don’t change. They run what they run. We hardly have to draw new cards for them.”
