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3. Ottawa’s D Line

If the Redblacks can’t put some pressure on Hamilton QB Dane Evans, they’ll be in big trouble. J.R. Tavai has an active three-game streak with at least one QB sack. He’ll need to extend that to four. Other starters on Ottawa’s defensive line this week: George Uko, Mike Wakefield and AVery Ellis. With 24 sacks, Ottawa ranks ahead of only Montreal’s 22. Edmonton leads the CFL with 50. The stat is sometimes deceptive. A team that gets a lot of quarterback pressures can also have success on the defensive side of the ball.

4. Ticats Carrying On

The Ticats’ leading rusher this season is Sean Thomas Erlington, who is injured and has played only three full games. Several guys have filled in and allowed the team to keep a solid run game. Behind Erlington are Cam Marshall (198), Bralon Addison (182), Dane Evans (161), Maleek Irons (159), Anthony Coombs (158), Jackson Bennett (143) and this week’s starter Tyrell Sutton (113).

5. The Simoni Show

Sometimes-controversial Ticats LB Simoni Lawrence, who earlier this season served a two-game suspension after a hit to the head of QB Zach Collaros, may be the best defensive player in the East this season. He has 83 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions and is a leader for a defence that’s been very, very good.

THE KEY MATCHUP

Will Arndt vs. Ticats Defensive Line

Making his second CFL start, Arndt, the Redblacks QB, looked good at times last week against the Argos, (passing for 288 yards and two touchdowns, completing 28-of-42 attempts), but threw three interceptions. He’ll try and tidy that up against a tough Ticats defence. Look for the Ticats, who are tied for third in sacks (with Winnipeg), to dial up the heat. Ja’Gared Davis has 12 sacks, Dylan Wynn has nine and Julian Howsare has six.