I have been reading all of the reasons on here in recent days as to why the Argos won't make it to the Grey Cup but I would suggest that there are some reasons why they can still make it.

1) Ticats are without Zach Collaros and seem like an entirely different team. Yes, their defence is still very formidable but they don't have the same confidence as a team with Jeff Mathews at the helm. Even playing them at Tim Hortons Field, I will take Trevor Harris or Ricky Ray anytime over Jeff Mathews in a QB-driven league.

2) Argos have beaten Ottawa 3 times this season and seem to match up well with the RedBlacks. (Yeah, I know that Hamilton has also beaten the Argos three times but that was with Collaros at QB.) The two wins that the Argos had in Ottawa occurred with the RedBlacks playing at the top of their game just as they are doing now. I remember some on here thinking that the Argos would lose those two games for sure but they won both times and were very deserving of victory each time.

3) The Argos' kicking game is about to get a big shot in the arm with the return of Swayze Waters. He may not do the kickoffs but will do everything else. Up until the B.C. game, the Argos hadn't lost a game this year because of Waters' absence but their kicking game was one of the key factors in the loss the other night. If Justin Palardy had kicked in that game instead, the Argos may very well have won. Jake Rogers was terrible and is now an ex-Argo. In any case, a healthy Waters gives the Argos a big leg up on both Hamilton and Ottawa. Justin Medlock is an excellent FG kicker but not as good of a punter. The RedBlacks lost Argonaut fan favourite Ronnie Pfeffer today to what look liked a serious leg injury. The kicking game could be a huge difference-maker in favour of the Argos in the coming weeks.

4) The defence has improved. It isn't a shut-down defence by any means but it has played better since mid-season save for the game that the Argos lost to Montreal in Hamilton. I was quite encouraged by the play of the defence against a B.C. offence that has been on fire. Yes, they lost their composure on a couple of third quarter B.C. possessions which cost them but those are correctable errors. If the offence can get back on track at all, the defence might be good enough to get the Argos to the championship game.

5) The offence has been quite productive for most of the season. They have struggled over the last three weeks in particular but I also don't think that they are finished. There is too much talent on this offence IMO for it to continue to struggle. They have to get the offensive line as healthy as possible for the post-season and hopefully that can be enough to get it back playing as it was earlier in the season.

6) The Argos have one regular season game left to rest players who are nicked up so that they can be as healthy as possible for the playoffs but also to try to get back on the winning track and maybe find some answers going into the post-season. I would expect both Ray and Harris to play on Friday and for Milanovich to base his decision on the divisional semi-final QB largely based on that game. Maybe they give Brandon Whitaker a rest and see if Curtis Steele and/or Chad Kackert can show enough to perhaps be part of the post-season offence. Who exactly will be the receivers in the playoffs? Again, this game on Friday night can hopefully help the Argos figure this stuff out while also getting back on the winning track.

I know some on here are counting this team out right now but I maintain that they still have a good shot at being the team coming out of the east. Yes, a lot has to fall into place but I believe it is doable. Who's with me?