CFL Week 1: Finally, after 621 Days, "Our Game" Kicks Off and What a Week it Was!

Hamilton - Winnipeg: Winnipeg Beats Hamilton 19 - 6

Anytime a team beats Hamilton this author is happy.  Showcasing the scrambling Collaros as well as cameos by Streveler, Winnipeg dominated with another local boy #20 Oliveira as a man on a mission filling in for Harris.  It was great to see this game kick off the long-awaited start of the 2021 CFL season.  Snowbirds, fireworks, a Grey Cup banner unveiling.  Does it get any better! Great catch by Ackland to start for Hamilton but wheels fell off after the Banks fumble. 

BC - Saskatchewan: Almost a comeback, Saskatchewan barely wins 33 - 29

As I listened on satellite radio, I knew the beyond comfortable lead held by Saskatchewan did not mean "game over".  An unfortunate set of surprise circumstances for the young rookie Canadian Lions Quarterback in the first half.  However, Reilly stepped in ot the latter half in a curious fashion and almost mounted the comeback.  Unfortunate due to the missed field goals missed by Japanese rookie Yamasaki, the CFL's experiment with global players.  Look forward to seeing Rourke with a week's worth of prep.  

Toronto - Calgary: First time in 10 years, Toronto wins in Calgary 23 - 20

It also seemed even longer to be the first time it opened the season with a win!  Usually starting the season in the usually stronger Western Conference, Toronto now posts a rarely seen 1-0 start.  A brilliant close game with the Argos opening up the scoring and the Quarterback carousel being held down by Bethel-Thomson...for now.  Perhaps all the ex-Stampeders and coaches rubbed off and helped the Argos gain an edge.  Charleston Hughes was an aggressive beast for the Argos resulting in penalties.  Stamps took a lead followed by a blocked kick before the second half followed by a punched out ball and fumble on way to a touchedown by #2 early in the third quarter.  Calgary had to settle for field goals; however, a rare fumble by the Stamps, recovered by Hughes led to a big touchdown by the Argos Gittens, his first and biggest.  A two point convert t toie it up followed by another march up the field resulted in the winning field goal with 40 secondds on the clock.  An Argos interception sealed any possibility of a comeback.  

Ottawa - Edmonton: Where did this Ottawa defense come from? Ottawa wins 16 - 12

Getting used to Elks versus Esks will take some time.  To complete the (almost) Week 1 of underdog wins, Ottawa shows up from nowhere compared to teams past and shows some definsive brilliance including a goal line stance in the dying seconds of the game to hold on for a win.  An early touchdown pass that was just out of bounds didn't count and could have made the difference for Edomonton.  

An easy sack by Ottawa's Awe followed by the first of trading field goals - a 52 yd field goal by Ottawa to tie it up at 3 showed Ottawa is no pushover.  Then some trickery on a kickoff return by Ottawa, but unfortunately the lateral was not lateral, and called back.  9 - 6 at the half with only kickers making the points.   A big interception by Ottawa in the third lfollowed by another led to a pick six and the first touchdown of the game in the 4th.  With Ottawa leading 16-12, Edmonton could only march up in the dying seconds, with no time on the clock and a winning drive in the making, Ottawa stops the drive on the goal line with no time left.  

This is going to be a wide open year for the CFL with the Western Conference looking shaky.