TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts and the Ottawa REDBLACKS will face off on Saturday, November 2 in the Eastern semi-finals for the chance to face the Montreal Alouettes.

These two teams met only two weeks ago and the Argos won 38-31 in a game that wasn’t as close as the scoreboard indicated.

That’s because Ottawa scored 25 points in the fourth quarter with two onside kick recoveries to close the gap in what had been a dominant Double Blue performance up to that point.

If the REDBLACKS want to win on Saturday, they will have to start faster to keep the Argonauts’ potentially explosive offense under control.

CFL.ca presents three statistics that could play an important role in the Eastern semi-final.

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16 of 25 – SECOND CONVERSION DOWN

The Argonauts controlled most of their game against the REDBLACKS thanks to an attack that was able to extend practice after practice. Toronto converted 16 of 25 second down opportunities en route to 434 net yards of offense.

The Boatmen had seven different receivers catching passes, with Chad Kelly completing 21 of 26 passes for an average of 12.7 yards per pass, providing a challenge to the REDBLACKS in the rematch.

1,343 – RECEPTION PARKS

Justin Hardy has been one of, if not the REDBLACKS’ best player in 2024, finishing second in receiving yards with 1,343. If Ottawa advances, it will likely be because Hardy was dominant against the Double Blue.

Hardy has 13 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown in two games against the Argos this season while playing center Dru Brown threw for 749 yards and five touchdowns in the two games combined. If Hardy is reined in, the REDBLACKS could unlock one of the deepest receiver groups in the CFL with players like Kalil Pimpleton, Dominique Rimes or Bralon Addison.

8 – BAGS

Five players are tied for the league lead in sacks with eight. Four of them play for the Argonauts and the REDBLACKS. that of Ottawa Michael Wakefield and Lorenzo Mauldin IV alongside Toronto Jake Ceresna And Ralph Holley are all a threat to sack the quarterback on any given play.

The Argos and REDBLACKS allowed 40 sacks each in the regular season, tied for second among all teams. That means these passers will have the opportunity to come home and make a difference in the Eastern Semifinals.