A big re-match in Edmonton Friday night
Two weeks ago, the BC Lions accomplished something few teams have managed this season.
They took away Edmonton’s rushing attack. BC got the lead early, and a much needed first win of their season
Rankin finished with just 19 rushing yards on seven carries. His lowest rushing total of the year. The Lions jumped out to an early lead. While filling the gaps successfully on defense. Forcing Edmonton into obvious passing situations and limiting the opportunities to establish the run.
Yet BC never truly stopped Rankin.
They simply forced him to be used mostly in the passing game. Rankin has done exceptional in the passing game this season. According to CFL game statistics, Rankin caught 10 passes for 100 yards in that game, with an incredible 93 of those yards coming after the catch. Even when the running lanes disappeared, he remained Edmonton’s most dangerous offensive weapon.
That may be the biggest storyline heading into the rematch. The question isn’t whether Rankin will make an impact. It’s how he’ll make it. When Rankin is producing both on the ground and through the air, the Elks become one of the CFL’s most balanced offenses. Defenses must respect the run, account for him as a receiver, and defend every inch of the field.
That balance has been a major reason Edmonton sits near the top of the CFL.
https://x.com/CFL/status/2077105782622130236Rankin is also chasing history
If he maintains his current pace, he will surpass CFL legend Mike Pringle’s single-season record for yards from scrimmage. Even more remarkable, he is on pace to become the first player in CFL history to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. Perfect timing for an organization in desperate need of on field success.
BC proved it could slow Justin Rankin as a runner in the first meeting.
Now comes an even tougher challenge. Can the Lions keep one of the CFL’s most dynamic players from taking over the game in both phases of the offense? If they can, they’ll have another opportunity to upset one of the league’s hottest teams. If they can’t, Edmonton may continue to look like the CFL’s most complete and most dangerous team.