Game Thread: Edmonton at Calgary Monday Sept. 4

**jerrym** · 09-01-2023, 04:38 AM

A win by the Elks with Tre Ford at QB would pull them even with Calgary in terms of number of wins at three. Could the previously 0-9 2023 Elks and winless at home since 2019 until last week pull it off?

**AngeloV** · 09-01-2023, 05:47 PM

Pulling for Ford, but I think the Stamps take this one. Elks are weak against the run, and I think the Stamps will keep the Elks O off the field with the running game, setting up the deep balls we saw last week against the Argos.

**Mocha** · 09-01-2023, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by AngeloV

Pulling for Ford, but I think the Stamps take this one. Elks are weak against the run, and I think the Stamps will keep the Elks O off the field with the running game, setting up the deep balls we saw last week against the Argos.

I'm hoping the new level of enthusiasm on the Elks will help their D. It also looks as though Carey will be back, and he hasn't been as effective as Mills has been this year, so that could work in the Elks favour.

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EDMONTON ELKS VS. CALGARY STAMPEDERS

The streak is over! Four years since their last home win, the Edmonton Elks finally got another thanks largely to the incredible play of their new starting QB, Canadian Tre Ford. While he hasn’t played enough snaps to truly qualify, his 91.7 overall grade is first in the entire CFL. That just shows how good of a stretch he’s been on. Trying to slow down the league’s hottest team will be the Stamps, who are coming off a tough loss to the Argos last week. Calgary played well, especially quarterback Jake Maier, who finally had a good game that didn’t result in a win (81.8 overall grade in Week 12). They’ll want to build on that this week and see Maier put together a stretch of good games to get Calgary back in the win column.

MATCHUP TO WATCH:
LT MARTEZ IVEY, EDMONTON VS. EDGE JULIAN HOWSARE, CALGARY

Before Ford took over at QB, Ivey was one of the lowest-graded pass-blocking left tackles in the league (49.6 pass-blocking grade). In the three weeks since, he’s been one of the best (71.0). He’s allowed zero sacks, zero hits and just four hurries in that span. Ivey has really settled down and anchored that left side of the line. Nevertheless, that won’t be easy to do this week. Howsare has an 83.7 pass-rush grade on the year, which ranks fifth in the league. His 44 total pressures rank sixth, and his 15.3% pass-rush win rate also ranks sixth. There’s no doubt that Howsare is one of the best pass-rushers in the CFL this year. If he can find success against Ivey, he could really throw a wrench in the Tre Ford hype train and help Calgary get that win.

PLAYER TO WATCH:
CB KAI GRAY, EDMONTON

It’s easy to talk about Ford and everyone knows to watch him. However, the Elks' rookie corner deserves some praise. It’s been an up-and-down season for Gray, but he’s really started to settle down and anchor one of the hardest positions in the CFL. Over the last three weeks, Gray has allowed just two catches on four targets for 33 yards. He’s surrendering just 0.78 yards per coverage snap this season, which is the seventh-best mark in the league. He hasn’t broken up many passes, but he has done a really good job of just playing tight coverage on every snap. He’s looking like he could be a future star corner for the Elks if he keeps developing on his current path.

**ArgoRavi** · 09-02-2023, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by AngeloV

Pulling for Ford, but I think the Stamps take this one. Elks are weak against the run, and I think the Stamps will keep the Elks O off the field with the running game, setting up the deep balls we saw last week against the Argos.

While the Elks are improving, Calgary is simply the better team IMO. I too am picking the Stamps this week.

**jerrym** · 09-04-2023, 07:58 PM

Ford blazes down the field 40 yards down the field to set up an Elks TD from the two. If Calgary does not contain him they will pay dearly.

**Mocha** · 09-04-2023, 08:24 PM

Ford struggled for a while there making reads, but the last half quarter or so he's been dialed in. And the Elks look to be having a lot of fun playing these days.

**jerrym** · 09-04-2023, 08:46 PM

The Elks playing with energy and imagination to go outside the old set of standard plays that was missing before Ford took over at QB and Jarious Jackson as OC. Like the Argos, they caught the defence offguard with the WR Moore throwing for to Dunbar for the TD and a 18-10 lead at the half.

**jerrym** · 09-04-2023, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by Mocha

Ford struggled for a while there making reads, but the last half quarter or so he's been dialed in. And the Elks look to be having a lot of fun playing these days.

You can literally see the joy in their faces compared to when Cornelius was shaking his head negatively after nearly every missed pass in his last couple of starts.

**Mocha** · 09-04-2023, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by jerrym

You can literally see the joy in their faces compared to when Cornelius was shaking his head negatively after nearly every missed pass in his last couple of starts.

Yup. A little success can go a long way.

**jerrym** · 09-04-2023, 09:23 PM

Ford displays Flutie escapability with even more speed in marching the Elks down the field followed by a five yarder for a TD, leaving Stamps lying in his wake on every run.