Less than two months ago, all signs pointed to a disastrous season for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Missing their top two quarterbacks to long-term injuries, the Ticats hit a low point when they lost at home to the previously winless Edmonton Elks on Aug. 17. The Thursday night game finished in front of a sparse, soaked crowd after a 90-minute delay because of a fierce storm. Hamilton dropped to 3-6 and with a tough schedule looming, the 2023 Grey Cup hosts looked to be in major trouble.
Fast forward to Week 19 and it’s a completely different story. Since that loss to Edmonton, the Ticats (8-8) have won five of seven games — with the only two losses against the league-leading Toronto Argonauts.
Quarterbacks Bo Levi Mitchell and Matthew Shiltz are back, giving Hamilton a 1-2 punch reminiscent of the way the Ticats operated in consecutive Grey Cup appearances in 2019 and ’21 with Jeremiah Masoli and Dane Evans.
“Big leadership,” Ticats receiver Tim White said of what Mitchell, the team’s marquee off-season free-agent signing, brings to the team.
“He brings a lot of experience to the game so a lot of guys are just locked in some of the smaller details of the game in our system. It’s real nice having him back.”
Expect to see both Mitchell and Shiltz again Friday when the Ticats host the B.C. Lions. They won’t have to do all the damage, themselves. The Tiger-Cats also have the league’s second-leading rusher in James Butler.
The week after that loss to Edmonton, the Ticats started their impressive run with a huge upset in Vancouver. Hamilton followed that up a few weeks later with a win over the West Division-leading Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“That’s a great team,” Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. said. “A great defensive co-ordinator, Mark Washington. He knows me, I played against him quite a bit early in my career. I’m expecting a great matchup … They’re fighting for stuff, we’re fighting for stuff. We’ve got to bring our A game.”
Indeed, there is still an opportunity for the Ticats and Lions to move up in the standings.
Hamilton needs a win over the Lions and a Montreal Alouettes loss to the Elks on Saturday to set up what would be a showdown for second place in the East against Montreal in the final week of the season.
The Lions need to win to keep their slim hopes alive of overtaking Winnipeg for first in the West.
The Ticats’ main problem this year has been the Argos, who are 4-0 against their longtime rivals.
If Hamilton can beat Montreal in the East semi, it would set up a divisional final against Toronto on Nov. 11 at BMO Field with a trip to the Grey Cup at Tim Hortons Field on the line.
Just two years ago, it was the exact same scenario — and the Ticats prevailed in Toronto to advance to the championship at home.
The Ticats might be peaking at the right time again.
What We Liked in Week 18
• Elks QB Tre Ford’s miraculous TD throw to Gavin Cobb against Toronto. Might be the play of the year.
• The Blue Bombers’ thrilling overtime win over the host Lions in a battle for first in the West. Sign us up for a rematch in the West final.
• Mitchell’s strong performance (four of six, 129 yards, one touchdown) in his return from a broken leg in a win against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. It was his first appearance since late July.
What We Didn’t Like in Week 19
• The Ottawa Redblacks being eliminated from playoff contention without putting up much of a fight in a 29-3 loss to the Alouettes. That’s four missed playoff seasons in a row since a Grey Cup appearance in 2018.
• The Roughriders’ dismal effort in a loss to visiting Hamilton. Coach Craig Dickenson hasn’t been able to find any answers for his free-falling squad.
Power Rankings
1. Toronto Argonauts (13-2, first last week): Did a good job against Ford last week. They’re rolling.
2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (12-4, second last week): Character win in B.C. Great shot at going to Grey Cup for fourth season in a row.
3. B.C. Lions (11-5, third last week): Missed opportunity against Winnipeg, but they know they can compete against the Blue Bombers.
4. Montreal Alouettes (9-7, fourth last week): Took care of business by sweeping Ottawa in a home-and-home.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-8, fifth last week): Coming on strong at the right time.
6. Calgary Stampeders (4-11, eighth last week): Playoff hopes aren’t toast thanks to Saskatchewan’s major problems.
7. Edmonton Elks (4-12, seventh last week): At least there is some hope going into next season after an 0-8 start.
8. Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-10, sixth last week): Still in driver’s seat to make playoffs, but they’ve left the door open for Calgary.
9. Ottawa Redblacks (4-12, ninth last week): Team is 1-9 since a 3-3 start.
Week 19 Picks
B.C. Lions (-3.5) at Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT: Ticats have a chance for another statement win. PICK: Hamilton
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Calgary Stampeders (-3.5), Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT: One of these bad teams is going to make the playoffs. Saskatchewan clinches a spot with a win. PICK: Calgary
Montreal Alouettes (-2.5) at Edmonton Elks, Saturday, 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT: Alouettes are 5-3 on the road and have much more to play for. PICK: Montreal
Ottawa Redblacks at Toronto Argonauts (no line), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT: Meaningless game with Argos locked into first in the East and Ottawa eliminated. PICK: Toronto
2023 Picks Record: 38-33
Odds from FanDuel as of Thursday.