The CFL season rarely moves in a straight line.
Good teams struggle. Losing streaks happen. However, the schedule can quickly create an opportunity to respond. This week, two teams stand out as strong bounce-back candidates.
The Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders both enter the week needing better performances. More importantly, both return home in favorable spots.
Calgary Returns Home After the Bye
The Calgary Stampeders needed their bye week.
Calgary entered the break with back-to-back losses. As a result, the Stampeders have fallen to 4-6 and last place in the West Division. Now, they return home to face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
There is some familiarity here
Calgary’s most recent victory came against Hamilton. The Stampeders will now get another opportunity against the Tiger-Cats with extra time to prepare.
However, there is one major question. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. suffered a head injury against the BC Lions on Aug. 13. Adams left the game in the fourth quarter after his helmet struck the turf during a scramble. He walked off under his own power but did not return.
His availability will be critical. When healthy, Adams gives Calgary a dynamic playmaker at quarterback. He can attack defenses vertically. In addition, his mobility can create problems when plays break down. With him, Calgary can score against anyone.
Therefore, his status will be one of the biggest stories to watch this week.
Either way, Calgary should enter this game rested and motivated. The Stampeders are home. They had a week to regroup. They also know they can beat this Hamilton team. Without Adams, this game becomes a bit more dicey.
Saskatchewan Looks to Get Its Offense Back on Track
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are in a similar position.
Saskatchewan has lost two straight and three of its last five games. Most recently, the Roughriders suffered a two-touchdown loss against the BC Lions.
The offense has also cooled considerably. Saskatchewan scored only 16 points against BC. One week earlier, the Roughriders managed just 19.
That is a major drop for an offense capable of producing much more. Fortunately, Saskatchewan now returns home. The Roughriders host the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday with an opportunity to reset in front of their home crowd.
Expect Saskatchewan to make getting the offense back on track a priority. The Roughriders need more consistency. They need to sustain drives. Most importantly, they need to finish those drives with touchdowns instead of leaving points on the field. After two disappointing offensive performances, this is a strong spot for a response.
Two Teams With Something to Prove
Neither Calgary nor Saskatchewan enters this week with much momentum. Although Saskacthewan is in much better playoff shape than Calgary.
That might be exactly what makes both teams interesting. Calgary had the bye week to recover and prepare. Saskatchewan returns home after consecutive losses. Both teams also have plenty at stake in a competitive West Division. For Calgary, the biggest question remains the health of Adams. For Saskatchewan, it is whether the offense can rediscover its rhythm. Either way, expect both teams to play with urgency this week.
The CFL season is entering an important stretch. Calgary and Saskatchewan have an opportunity to make sure their recent struggles do not become something bigger.