Like any expansion franchise, the Ottawa Redblacks and their fans expected some speed bumps during their inaugural campaign.

But it’s doubtful they expected such a roadblock, winning only one of the first nine games.

The statistics clearly explain why the Redblacks sit alone in the CFL basement.

They are last in team defence giving up an average of 426 yards per game. That is 72 yards more per game than the closest team.

Their offence, meanwhile, is second-last obtaining 314 yards per game. That’s about 11 yards more per game than the worst team, Montreal, whom Ottawa lost to last Friday.

Thanks to the ineptitude of the CFL’s East division, the Redblacks are still within arm’s reach of a playoff spot through the first half of the season. Nine games remain, which means there’s still a lot of play for and a lot to learn about this young team.

League-worst defence needs help from offence

Through the first half of the season, we have seen an improving Redblacks’ defence, which has held Ottawa in so many games while the offence floundered. It is clearly a building block.

Redblacks Schedule Ottawa 28 Winnipeg 36 Ottawa 11 Edmonton 27 Toronto 17 Ottawa 18 Ottawa 23 Hamilton 33 Saskatchewan 38 Ottawa 14 Ottawa 17 Calgary 38 Edmonton 10 Ottawa 8 Calgary 33 Ottawa 7 Ottawa 10 Montreal 20 Sept. 5 | vs. B.C. Sept. 21 | @ Saskatchewan Sept. 26 | vs. Montreal Oct. 3 | vs. Winnipeg Oct. 11 | @ B.C. Oct. 17 | @ Hamilton Oct. 24 | vs. Montreal Oct. 31 | vs. Hamilton Nov. 7 | @ Toronto

However, the lacklustre offence has kept the defence on the field so as games go on, the opposition can capitalize on tired legs.

Case in point: the Redblacks have been outscored 126 to 40 in the second half of games this year. Only twice have they not been outscored in the second half of a game. That happened in week six when Ottawa was down 32-7 against Saskatchewan, then one week later in Calgary, when they were already down 28-7 at half-time.

Compare those statistics to Ottawa’s efforts in the first half of games — ignoring those two bad starts against the Roughriders and Stampeders ​— and the Redblacks have outscored their opponents 72-66.

The moral is, Ottawa has given itself a legitimate chance to win in six of their eight losses. The numbers would tell a much different story if their offence could manage some more first downs and spent more time on the field.

TD Place energy fuelling game-day experience

If that happens, Ottawa will be better in the second half — of games and of their first season.

I will say the fans have not disappointed. They have been passionate and filled the seats at TD Place for the first four home games.

There is a great energy in the stadium even though the product has not been up to snuff — Ottawa has only scored three touchdowns at home, one of which was a pooch kick.

That has made each game enjoyable for most fans despite the result.

But at this half-way point in the CFL season, it seems like the honeymoon phase is fading and starting on Friday against B.C., an upset win would restore some belief the Redblacks aren’t destined for a last-place finish.

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