This is the first week this season without Thursday Night Football. All the Thursday games disappear after Labour Day. The newest intense battle kicks off Friday Night Football as the Montréal Alouettes go to Ottawa. There were enough fireworks the last time these teams played each other. Calgary goes west to Vancouver in the Friday nightcap contest.
Edmonton comes to BMO Field in Toronto to start out the Saturday festivities. Saskatchewan finishes up in Hamilton in the nightcap. A helicopter might get you to both games since they are very close to each other.
Winnipeg doesn't need a week off but will get one anyway.
TSN
Friday
Montréal @ Ottawa, 7p
Calgary @ BC, 10p
Saturday
Edmonton @ Toronto, 4p
Saskatchewan @ Hamilton, 7p
Bye week: Winnipeg
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Who knew the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were this good? The change at quarterback has made a significant difference but all sides of the ball are playing well. I saw Winnipeg at home in July and the team struggled on offence. Last week, I saw a more confident team in scoring the football. The defence also played extremely well.
Then again, Toronto has not found the rhythm at home. The team isn't used to consistency in its home city and that shows on the field. The Argos had a good first half, but only scored a late TD in the second half. We'll have more on my experience up close at BMO Field later.
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Chris Jones preaches discipline but the Saskatchewan Roughriders keep getting fined by the CFL for rules infractions.
The first fine was $60,000 over roster issues. The team had been practicing with ineligible players, players on the 6-game injured list, and having free agents practice with players who are under contact. The Roughriders also received a $26,000 deduction in its 2016 salary cap.
The second fine was $15,000 over playing too many international players (defined as non-Canadian) on the defensive side in the July 16 game at Taylor Field against the B.C. Lions. Teams need to have at least 7 Canadians of the 24 starters on a team.
The last fine was only $5,000 for staying on the midfield logo during player introductions August 4 in Calgary.
You would think such infractions would have given the Roughriders a better result on the field. Instead, Saskatchewan has the worst record in the league. Something to be said for losing with dignity.
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The U.S. TV numbers for the August 4 doubleheader were virtually identical. The early game with the B.C. Lions in Montréal drew 175,000. The nightcap with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Calgary had a 176,000 audience.
Though we don't normally break down adults 18-49, the late game had 71,000 vs. 63,000 for the early game. Combine that with a slightly larger audience for the late game and that has gone against the trend of early games doing better.
Could have been the teams involved or people in the East were out in the early evening but ended the evening with some CFL.
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Chris Cuthbert, Glen Suitor: Montréal @ Edmonton; Calgary @ Saskatchewan
Rod Black, Duane Forde: Winnipeg @ Toronto
Rod Black, Matt Dunigan: Hamilton @ BC
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