CFL East semifinal preview: What you need to know about Redblacks vs. Argonauts

It has been a season to remember for the Ottawa Redblacks, with the team getting back to the playoffs after a frustrating four seasons.

Despite some highs and lows, the Toronto Argonauts are back to the playoffs but know that the road to the Grey Cup will be more challenging than in the past.

It all starts in Saturday's East semifinal in Toronto as the Argonauts (10-8) host the Redblacks (9-8-1) in the rubber match between provincial rivals.

With the Montreal Alouettes cementing themselves as the top team in the CFL's East Division, the real battle was for second place. The Argos would hit their stride at the right time and now hold a favourable advantage.

After suffering an embarrassing loss to Ottawa in September, Toronto went on to win four of its final six games, scoring at least 30 points in five of those contests.

The Redblacks controlled second place for most of the season before a five-game losing streak, including a setback in Toronto, allowed the Argos to move ahead in the division.

Here’s a capsule look at the East semifinal.

The schedule

Saturday, 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT at BMO Field.

The Line

The Argonauts were favoured by 6.5 points as of Thursday by BetMGM.

Weather

It’s a high of 9 C with wind slated at 9 km/h.

At stake

The winner goes to Montreal (12-5-1), where the Alouettes will host the East final on Nov. 9.

The last time the East Division went through Montreal was back in 2012.

Both Toronto and Ottawa will look to earn their chance at dethroning the reigning Grey Cup champions, who owned the best record in the league this season.

Season series

Both teams earned victories at home against each other in the two meetings during the regular season.

The Redblacks notched a commanding 41-27 victory on Sept. 7 in their first meeting against the Argos. Their defence recorded four interceptions against Chad Kelly, including a pair of pick-sixes by Damon Webb.

In the final regular-season meeting between these two clubs on Oct. 19, Toronto had a 38-6 lead going into the fourth quarter, with Chad Kelly throwing for three touchdowns. The visiting Redblacks didn't go away quietly, scoring 25 points in the fourth quarter after a pair of onside kick recoveries, but the comeback fell short, allowing Toronto to secure second place with a 38-31 triumph.

Playoff history

The Argos have hosted the East final the last three seasons and will play in their fourth straight home playoff game. They are hosting the East semifinal for the first time since 2012.

Toronto lost in the East final last year to visiting Montreal after winning the Grey Cup in 2022.

The last time the Redblacks were in the playoffs was in the 2018 Grey Cup, when they lost to the Calgary Stampeders. It was the fourth straight season the team made it to the post-season after returning to the CFL in 2014.

Toronto and Ottawa haven't played each other in the playoffs since 1990 when Willie Gillus and the Argos beat Damon Allen and the Rough Riders.

Ryan Dinwiddie (Toronto) vs. Bob Dyce (Ottawa)

Dinwiddie, 43, is in his fourth season with the Argonauts. He led the team to a Grey Cup title in 2022 and a franchise-best 16-2 record in 2023, which earned him the CFL's Coach of the Year award.

Dyce, 58, is in his second full season as the Redblacks' head coach after being promoted in 2022. He joined Ottawa in 2016 as special teams co-ordinator.

He has two Grey Cup rings, one as an assistant with Ottawa in 2016 and another as an assistant with Saskatchewan in 2013. He has been coaching in the CFL since 2003.

Dru Brown (Ottawa) vs. Chad Kelly (Toronto)

Brown, 27, is in his first season with the Redblacks after joining the team in the off-season when Ottawa secured his rights in a trade with Winnipeg. He threw for 3,959 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while also dealing with some injuries and inconsistent play.

However, the Redblacks starter has had back-to-back games with 400 or more passing yards. In his two starts against Toronto, Brown has thrown for 749 yards, five touchdowns and an interception.

Kelly, 30, is in his third season with the Argonauts and second as the team's starting quarterback. He was suspended nine games for violating the league's gender-based violence policy to start the season and took time to get going upon his return, finishing with 2,451 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions in nine games.

Toronto finished with a 4-1 record in Kelly's last five starts, but he'll be looking for a better performance in his second playoff start after the team had seven turnovers (four interceptions, two turnovers on downs and a fumble) in the East final against Montreal.

Argos offensive line vs. Redblacks defensive front

The Argos owned the second-best rushing game in the CFL and will look for a balanced attack against Ottawa.

It won't be an easy matchup against a Redblacks defence that is the third-best unit in the league against the run and second in the league with 39 sacks. Time of possession will also be key for Toronto as the Argos don't want to force their defence to be on the field more than they need to be.

Redblacks receivers vs. Argonauts defensive backs

If there is one area the Redblacks will look to exploit, it's the Argos' secondary, which allowed the third-most yards per game through the air (278.3) and the second-most yards per attempt (8.86) and touchdowns (31).

After registering a CFL-high 27 interceptions in 2023, Toronto's defensive backs tied for the second-fewest with just 14. DeShaun Amos will be tasked with trying to capitalize on any errant throws by Brown after posting five interceptions.

Ottawa's Justin Hardy finished second in the league with 1,343 yards and likely could've been the top receiver had it not been for the two games he missed. Hardy and Dominique Rhymes, who finished with 1,011 yards, will do their best to keep the Argos secondary chasing them all afternoon.

Chad Kelly and Makai Polk vs. Damon Webb

Kelly formed a strong rapport with Polk once he was back on the field. The first-year receiver recorded four of his five 100-yard games with Kelly under centre and became a trusty target, finishing with 61 catches for 1,024 yards (the only Argos receiver with 1,000 yards) and five touchdowns.

With Damonte Coxie's status for Saturday's game in doubt, the Redblacks will try their best to limit Polk's effectiveness and force Kelly to throw the ball to someone else.

Webb will look to make life difficult for Kelly again. In his first meeting against Toronto, he returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns.

Kelly did learn from that game in the second matchup against Ottawa, completing 21-of-26 passes for 331 yards and three touchdowns. More importantly, he didn't throw an interception. The Redblacks will certainly try to take a page out of Montreal's playbook from last year's East final and the Sept. 7 matchup against Toronto.

Prediction

Argonauts 33, Redblacks 29