There is only one essential key to victory, I think.<\/p>\n
Execution. It covers everything. Coaches almost always bring it up.<\/p>\n
But within that expansive, very general category, their are myriad subcategories. And we are here to look at a few of those as we get ready for Week 9 in the CFL, where a number of teams are seeking a sustained forward gear, while the powers at the top \u2014 Edmonton and Montreal \u2014 look to keep their momentum going.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s one key for each team in Week 9.<\/p>\n
RELATED BC AT WINNIPEG<\/p>\n Thursday, July 30 One team ought to get freaky. The other might want to get freaky too. Less, freaky, sure. Just a little freaky.<\/p>\n The BC Lions head for Winnipeg, weighed down with a 1-5 record, a record that most everyone would have scoffed at if you\u2019d predicted that prior to the season beginning.<\/p>\n Quarterback Nathan Rourke is still out. Rookie pivot Kaidon Salter is in<\/a>, making his first CFL start after trotting out from the bullpen last Saturday in the Lions\u2019 26-12 loss to Toronto.<\/p>\n Let it fly, is my feeling here. The 23-year-old appears to have a strong arm and a pair of quick getaway sticks, so let the young man cook the way he feels he must. If he needs to run for 120 in order for you to win? Let him. If most of your passing plays wind up off-script? Go for it.<\/p>\n There\u2019ll be time to make him into an all-round QB later.<\/p>\n On the opposite side of the equation, it seems everyone thinks the Winnipeg Blue Bombers need to control things better on offence and that that means handing the ball to Brady Oliveira<\/a> over and over.<\/p>\n But as coaches will no doubt tell you, even with a guy like Brady in the backfield, running is pretty tough when the other team stacks the box and can zero in on one ball carrier.<\/p>\n Perhaps a little spice could loosen the cap a bit on and that spice could be Nic Demski.<\/p>\n Know how many times Demski has rushed this season? Once. One time, in Week 5, against Hamilton.<\/p>\n A little fancy-pants misdirection with number 10 zipping through the backfield is both fun and an effective way to knock an opposing defence off balance.<\/p>\n Activate \u201cThe Demski Effect.\u201d<\/p>\n MONTREAL AT OTTAWA<\/p>\n Friday, July 31 The Montreal Alouettes head for Ottawa on Friday night, looking to keep things rolling like a championship birler. (Look it up if you need to, that reference is a colloquial gem.)<\/p>\n The Als are 6-1, so, no notes really.<\/p>\n Wait a sec. Got one: Quit playing with your food.<\/p>\n There is some concern out there that the powerful Alouettes lack the game-long concentration gene in order to dominate all the way through and that they could be had if they continue on that path.<\/p>\n Against a desperate team coming out of the bye \u2014 one that hung with them before ultimately losing 37-35 in Week 4 \u2014 that could be costly.<\/p>\n For the Ottawa REDBLACKS, it\u2019s simple even if it is a bit generalized: Do not find yourselves lamenting big mistakes when this one is over.<\/p>\n In an oh-and-six start, the REDBLACKS have packed the first third of the season with untimely, unforced errors that have turned rather competitive outings into L after L after L.<\/p>\n They\u2019ve done enough in at least half their games to win them and that includes that Week 4 loss in Montreal.<\/p>\n Stay out of your own way, is the thing.<\/p>\n CALGARY AT HAMILTON<\/p>\n Saturday, August 1 For Calgary, ride the stallion. For Hamilton, guard that stable door.<\/p>\n The Calgary passing attack is one of the more glorious things to see so far in 2026, especially with Vernon Adams Jr. racking up 20 touchdown passes with zero interceptions, and topping the league with a 128.3 efficiency rating (Shout out to Jarious Jackson, who joined the Stamps as quarterbacks coach this season).<\/p>\n But Hamilton\u2019s pass defence is number one in the CFL and it\u2019s a unit that flexed its muscle against Montreal, limiting the Als\u2019 daring quarterback, Davis Alexander<\/a>, to a mere 187 passing yards in Week 8.<\/p>\n
\u00bb 4 storylines to watch in Week 9<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Weekly Predictor: Who wins in Week 9?<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Prediction Time: CFL.ca writers\u2019 Week 9 picks<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Buy tickets for the 2026 CFL season<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Subscribe to the CFL\u2019s newsletter for exclusive offers and league updates<\/a><\/p>\n
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