CFL Week 9 Recap: Blown Leads Sink Ships

The date was August 3, 2024. The Edmonton Elks were winless, coming off a massive blow out loss to the equally lowly Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Prior to that loss, the other six losses they suffered were all by one possession, and that included the heartbreaking loss to the Ottawa Redblacks, where Ottawa managed to get in field goal range in only eight seconds. It seemed like it would be a good while before the Elks would get Win #1, and with a trip to Regina in store for the Elks, it definitely looked like another drubbing was inevitable.

It was, but not in the way we expected.

Elks led by five at the half, but entering the fourth quarter, the Saskatchewan Roughriders were up 21-20. However, Edmonton would explode in the fourth quarter, which would actually see the Elks maintain a double digit lead for the rest of regulation. In fact, the Elks actually ended up winning by 11--42-31 was the final score. This was the Elks' first win since September 15, 2023, and that was also in Regina. Also, it's a bit of an improvement from last season. Last year, the Elks' first win didn't come until their 10th game of the season. This year, it came in their eighth game.

Week 9 started with a Western battle between the BC Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who were the West's top two teams last year. The Bombers were coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss in Toronto, but for this go-around, they were on tap, blanking the Lions 25-0. That's pretty big, because shutouts are pretty rare in the Canadian Football League. Elsewhere, the Montréal Alouettes blasted the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 33-18, but the main story was the week's finale, which included the Toronto Argonauts.

With the Redblacks off, this was the Argos' chance to gain a little bit of ground. It definitely looked good. A 23-6 lead after three quarters. Then the fourth quarter happened. The Calgary Stampeders showed up in that final frame, while the Boatmen sank. And sank. And sank. Calgary outscored Toronto 21-0, resulting in a 27-23 victory for the Stamps. Oh boy. This was not what the Argos needed.

After nine weeks, here's how things stand:

The losses from the Lions and Roughriders have made things interesting out West. With their comeback win, the Stampeders now have a shot at finishing first in the West. Also, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are back in the thick of things following their big victory, and there is a lot of time left in the season. In the East, the Alouettes are continuing to show their strength, but the Argos need to get it together. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats existing helps us, but even so, the Boatmen are three games out in the division, and only two games ahead of the lowly Tiger-. Things need to improve very fast for the Argos.

Week 10 will kick off on Thursday, August 8 with the Ottawa Redblacks hosting the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and on Friday, August 9, the Calgary Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts will go at it again. On Saturday, August 10, the Montréal Alouettes will host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in an East Division clash, and the week will conclude with a Western battle between the BC Lions and the Edmonton Elks on Sunday, August 11. The Elks will go for two in a row in this bout against the Lions.

If you like this story, click the heart and the subscribe button, and feel free to comment below! Tips and pledges would be greatly appreciated, but only if you want to do so!