In the past, Ottawa has often been the catalyst for the Tiger-Cats, and they could certainly benefit from that now.
We’re only ten days into summer. With school just out and Canada Day still ahead, the last thing on the kids’ minds is Labour Day or back-to-school shopping.
So, suggesting that the Hamilton Tiger-Cats must win in Ottawa on Sunday night may seem absurd, right?
Even though they’re currently 0-3 and facing a divisional rival that could impact their playoff prospects, it’s hard to argue that it’s a must-win situation just yet, is it?
“I think there comes a time where you can realistically say this is a must-win,” head coach Scott Milanovich says. “There was, I think, two times last year that I told the offence, ‘We’ve got to win this game.’”
Is he saying Game 4 of the season is one of those?
“We’re not there yet,” he continues.
But …
“I think from a mental standpoint, from a confidence standpoint, just from a team-building standpoint, I think they’re all important. I think this one’s as important, or maybe even a little more important than most.”
That sounds accurate. There is a sense of urgency surrounding this game. While it might not reach the level of a “must-win,” it’s definitely strongly advisable to come out on top.
Another loss for the Tiger-Cats would not only drop them four points out of a playoff spot already but also raise significant questions and concerns, especially considering the challenging schedule ahead. Facing teams like BC, Toronto, Edmonton, and Montreal twice could pose substantial challenges. Starting the stretch at 0-4 would make it feel like navigating a minefield while carrying a refrigerator on their back—this adds more weight to this game than one would expect in late June.
On the bright side, recent history offers reasons for optimism. The Tiger-Cats have begun the previous two seasons with similar losing streaks, each of which ended with a win over the Redblacks. It seems like a tried and tested cure for early-season woes.
However, the Redblacks may not be as easy to beat this time around, as there are indications of improvement in their performance. Despite this, the Tiger-Cats must focus on their own game, addressing issues like dropped passes, defensive lapses, turnovers, and the need to create turnovers. It’s essential for them to concentrate on self-improvement rather than worrying about the quality of their opponents.
The CFL can be forgiving, allowing a team to recover from a forgettable start and still make a strong late-season push, as seen with Montreal’s success last year. Therefore, an 0-3 start isn’t necessarily catastrophic, but a win this weekend could change the narrative significantly, positioning the Tiger-Cats for a playoff spot and boosting their confidence.
Conversely, a loss in this game would dramatically shift the conversation. It could bring the concept of “must-win” into play much sooner than anticipated.
Lastly, the statistics, player performances, and historical game results all add more context to the upcoming match, contributing to the overall uncertainty and significance of the game for both teams.
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