Divisional Finals - The Toughest Game to Win

[OV Argo]

Or better still, don't call that particular play. They were running effectively with Ouellette, and 10 yards out is a good spot for the QB to take off himself. Or call a pass into the end zone. RD made some really poor play calls in the 2021 Eastern Final in the red zone, and yesterday's opening drive was reminiscent of that, IMO.

That pick 6 was man coverage (DeQuoy confirmed at half-time) and he had to come from a long-way in the middle to pick-up Nield who was moving more laterally towards the sideline - IF that pass was accurate/ out in front of Nield, no way it gets picked, but it was behind and a bit late; great play by DeQuoy to jump it - the guy has blazing speed - but he would only have been able to tackle Nield if the pass was accurate. Could have handed to Ouellette instead or Kelly could maybe have pulled the ball and ran himself, but the wrong thing happened there for the Argos.

And no way that wimpy Als offence and their average at best defence should have made that early 7 to nothing lead a big deal to cause Argo panic.. Fajardo was sacked what, 7 times during the game and their main RB Stanback was held to under 2 yds/carry average; their biggest offensive play of the game was a 25 yard gain screen pass to Stanback. OTOH - Ouellette ran well for the Argo O, and Kelly was not thrown for all kinds of losses (stats line says zero Als sacks, but how was that Lemon strip/sack not a sack?) This game was lost on all those picks by Kelly, that strip sack play, and those two 3rd down stuffs by the Als on Kelly = crispy turn-overs with icing on them. I even had a bit of faith the Argos could come back late but that kick-off return TD (was the guy even touched?) was the end. Horrible and shocking way to lose.

[Argo57]

That pick 6 was man coverage (DeQuoy confirmed at half-time) and he had to come from a long-way in the middle to pick-up Nield who was moving more laterally towards the sideline - IF that pass was accurate/ out in front of Nield, no way it gets picked, but it was behind and a bit late; great play by DeQuoy to jump it - the guy has blazing speed - but he would only have been able to tackle Nield if the pass was accurate. Could have handed to Ouellette instead or Kelly could maybe have pulled the ball and ran himself, but the wrong thing happened there for the Argos.

And no way that wimpy Als offence and their average at best defence should have made that early 7 to nothing lead a big deal to cause Argo panic.. Fajardo was sacked what, 7 times during the game and their main RB Stanback was held to under 2 yds/carry average; their biggest offensive play of the game was a 25 yard gain screen pass to Stanback. OTOH - Ouellette ran well for the Argo O, and Kelly was not thrown for all kinds of losses (stats line says zero Als sacks, but how was that Lemon strip/sack not a sack?) This game was lost on all those picks by Kelly, that strip sack play, and those two 3rd down stuffs by the Als on Kelly = crispy turn-overs with icing on them. I even had a bit of faith the Argos could come back late but that kick-off return TD (was the guy even touched?) was the end. Horrible and shocking way to lose.

Summed up quite nicely OV!

[argolio]

Our Defence was fairly good, but did not do well keeping Cody from running up the middle.

Fairly good? We held them under 200 yards of offence. That's outstanding.

[ArgoRavi]

Our record in finals is in sharp contrast with our record in Grey Cups over that same span (8-2, winning the last seven in a row). IMO losing the division final is way more crushing than losing the Grey Cup, although I don't have much personal evidence to base this on. I was not paying close attention in 1971, I left the 1982 GC feeling disappointed but thrilled that the team had been so entertaining and successful just one year after going 2-14, and I was not at all upset about losing the greatest Grey Cup ever played, in 1987.

I share your sentiments about 1982 and 1987, Paul. Losing the division final, especially at home, is the absolute worst for this fan anyway.

[ArgoRavi]

Or better still, don't call that particular play. They were running effectively with Ouellette, and 10 yards out is a good spot for the QB to take off himself. Or call a pass into the end zone. RD made some really poor play calls in the 2021 Eastern Final in the red zone, and yesterday's opening drive was reminiscent of that, IMO.

To be fair to Dinwiddie, Kelly had the option to give it to Ouellette and that's what he should have done. The decision on that play was all on Kelly IMO.

The call to QB sneak it on 3rd and 2 inside the Montreal 5 can be fairly blamed on Dinwiddie.

[paulwoods13]

That pick 6 was man coverage (DeQuoy confirmed at half-time) and he had to come from a long-way in the middle to pick-up Nield who was moving more laterally towards the sideline - IF that pass was accurate/ out in front of Nield, no way it gets picked, but it was behind and a bit late; great play by DeQuoy to jump it - the guy has blazing speed - but he would only have been able to tackle Nield if the pass was accurate. Could have handed to Ouellette instead or Kelly could maybe have pulled the ball and ran himself, but the wrong thing happened there for the Argos.

So why throw a pass that could result in a guy getting tackled outside the end zone (or, as it turned out, a worse outcome) when they are that close? Terrible play call IMO.

[OV Argo]

So why throw a pass that could result in a guy getting tackled outside the end zone (or, as it turned out, a worse outcome) when they are that close? Terrible play call IMO.

Bad call maybe, but more a bad decision plus poor pass by Kelly.

And vet QB Z. Collaros - made a far worse play and throw earlier this season in Ottawa; they have a lead late in the game and he throws a bad pass out in the flat from deep in his own end that gets picked for six, and they end up losing the game. Wasn't in the big game though so maybe he gets forgiven for that, but IMO a brutally bad play by a vet QB who should know better. Tarnished my view of Collaros somewhat, but i still consider him a great CFL QB.

[ArgoRavi]

Bad call maybe, but more a bad decision plus poor pass by Kelly.

And vet QB Z. Collaros - made a far worse play and throw earlier this season in Ottawa; they have a lead late in the game and he throws a bad pass out in the flat from deep in his own end that gets picked for six, and they end up losing the game. Wasn't in the big game though so maybe he gets forgiven for that, but IMO a brutally bad play by a vet QB who should know better. Tarnished my view of Collaros somewhat, but i still consider him a great CFL QB.

Collaros has thrown some terrible picks this year, including two pick sixes at home to Montreal (including one to Dequoy, as I recall), but he managed to pick himself up and overcome that. He also has a decade more experience than Kelly and that makes a big difference.