Argonauts’ Return to Home Field
The Toronto Argonauts are set to play their first game of the season at BMO Field on Thursday night, hosting the Calgary Stampeders. This marks a return home for the team after playing its initial seven regular-season games on the road. The Argonauts had been practising at Alumni Stadium in Guelph, Ont., and were listed as the home team in three of their road games: a 40-34 win in Regina on June 26, a 30-21 loss in Winnipeg on July 10, and a 24-23 loss in Hamilton on July 18.
Chad Kelly, the Argonauts‘ quarterback, expressed his enthusiasm for playing at BMO Field, highlighting the advantage of playing on grass and in front of their fans. This will be Kelly’s first start at the venue in over a year, as he spent the previous season recovering from a leg injury sustained during the 2024 East Division final in Montreal.
Linebacker Cameron Judge is also making his return to the field after missing three games due to a hamstring injury. Like Kelly, Judge shared his happiness about being back in familiar territory at BMO Field.
Key Players and Team Performance
Chad Kelly, who was the league’s outstanding player in 2023, returns under centre after a neck injury suffered during Toronto’s 26-12 road victory against the B.C. Lions on July 25. This season, Kelly has completed 162 of 230 passes, achieving a 70.4 per cent completion rate for 2,323 yards, placing him third overall in the league. He has also thrown 17 touchdowns but has nine interceptions, which ties him for the league lead.
The Argonauts lead the CFL in passing, averaging 365.1 yards per game, and are second in net offence with 425.7 yards and 18 touchdown passes. Head coach Mike Miller emphasized the team’s focus on discipline, respect, trust, and passion, aiming to play smart, fast, and physical.
On the opposing side, Calgary’s offence is led by veteran quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. The Stampeders are first in offensive points per game with 36.4, offensive touchdowns with 34, and passing touchdowns with 21. Adams leads CFL starters in touchdown tosses and has not thrown an interception this season, extending his streak to 295 straight pass attempts without being picked off, dating back to last year.
The Stampeders also boast a strong rushing game, ranking second in the league with 115.8 yards per game. Dedrick Mills is their second-leading rusher with 628 yards and a six-yard average. Calgary is coming off a 44-20 win in Hamilton on Saturday night.
Anticipated Matchup and Defensive Predictions
This upcoming game marks the second meeting between the two teams this season. In their previous encounter on July 2 at McMahon Stadium, Calgary defeated Toronto 58-36. In that game, Adams threw for 405 yards and six touchdowns, adding another rushing touchdown. Former Argonaut receiver Dejon Brissett, now with Calgary, had his first 100-yard receiving game last week, with six catches for 109 yards and a touchdown against Hamilton.
Argonauts defensive back Tarvarus McFadden acknowledged that the team was lacking in meticulous detail areas in their previous matchup against the Stampeders but expressed confidence that cleaning up their details and playing their techniques would lead to a different outcome. Coach Miller noted that the Stampeders are a multi-attack team that will present challenges, requiring the Argonauts to be detail-oriented and execute physically.
In Week 10, there is a prediction that a defensive player will be named a Player of the Week, a recognition that has gone exclusively to offensive players since Week 1. Calgary defensive end Clarence Hicks, who leads in quarterback pressures with 42, and Saskatchewan strong side linebacker Antoine Brooks Jr., who is fifth in total defensive plays with 50, are considered strong candidates for this honour.
The Argonauts‘ pass defence is ranked eighth in knockdowns and last in yardage per game given up, averaging 339.6 yards. However, they are mid-pack in interceptions with five. Corner Benjie Franklin has two interceptions in 2026 and is eighth in the CFL in coverage grading with a 75.3 according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). Linebacker Cameron Judge is also a potential candidate for an interception in Week 10.
Another prediction for Week 10 involves Montreal Alouettes returner DeVonte Dedmon, who returned to the lineup in Week 8 after spending the first six games on the injured list. In his first game back, he had a 40-yard kickoff return and a 23-yard punt return against the Hamilton Ticats. The Edmonton Elks, who are sixth in kick-off coverage and seventh in punt coverage, will face Dedmon in Week 10.
Additionally, a prediction suggests that BC Lions running back Zander Horvath might complete a pass off a run look against the Hamilton Ticats. The Ticats have the league’s second-ranked pass defence and a sixth-ranked run defence, allowing 98.8 yards per game.
The Argonauts enter Thursday night’s game with a 3-4 record, coming off a bye week following their 26-12 victory against the B.C. Lions two weeks ago.
Source: cfl.ca
