The month of October has treated the Edmonton Eskimos exceptionally well.
On Saturday, it was no different as Edmonton defeated the Calgary Stampeders 29-20. Edmonton has won its last four games and, as the saying goes, 'appear to be getting hot at the right time.'
ESKS WIN!!! MAKE IT 4 STRAIGHT!!! #OneEmpire pic.twitter.com/tPAO2amh9N
— Edmonton Eskimos (@EdmontonEsks) October 29, 2017
After a scoreless first quarter, Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly went to work. Reilly led the Eskimos to its first touchdown drive, a five-yard pass to Adarius Bowman, following Calgary's field goal. That was the beginning of Reilly's three touchdown night.
Reilly found wide receiver Brandon Zylstra bypassing the Stampeders secondary to give Edmonton a 14-6 lead. Zylstra finished the game with 87 yards on two catches while Reilly added 284 yards in the air.
A 77-yard bomb from Mike Reilly (@Rikester13) to @brandonzylstra3 has the @EdmontonEsks up 16-6 over the @calstampeders. #CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/MbD54DJwmo
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) October 29, 2017
Edmonton led by as much as 13 points in the dying minutes of the fourth quarter. Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who finished the night with 307 yards and two touchdowns, had been held out of the endzone for the entire first half. He came alive in the second half. With four minutes left, Mitchell connected with Kamar Jorden to cut into Calgary's deficit.
Kamar Jorden brings in a 13-yard pass for a TD to bring Calgary to within six points. #CFLGameDay@EdmontonEsks 26 - @calstampeders 20 pic.twitter.com/E7Hoyt9lbj
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) October 29, 2017
Now, Calgary needed to regain possession. Ultimately, they were never able to do so. Edmonton iced the game on a field goal by kicker Swayze Waters, giving hope that the Eskimos will enter the playoffs as one of the biggest threats.
Play of the Game
Adarius Bowman's second touchdown of the game came with a little bit of finesse. Bowman caught an errant pass from Reilly which happened to be at the 6 foot 3 inch wide receiver's foot.
.@Rikester13 stays composed & connects with @AdariusBowman for his 2nd TD of the game. #CFLGameDay@EdmontonEsks 23 - @calstampeders 13. pic.twitter.com/gBvI8WiOku
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) October 29, 2017
Bowman powered through Calgary defenders to extend Edmonton's lead.
Playoffs
Calgary has already clinched the top seed in the CFL Playoffs along with a West Division title to boast. Edmonton, however, still is fighting for placement.
With Winnipeg's loss earlier in the night, Edmonton still has a shot at the second place. There are a few 'Ifs' that remain present.
If Edmonton wins and outscores Winnipeg, tagged with a Winnipeg loss to the Stampeders next week; Edmonton then clinches the second place. If they lose, then they can drop down to fourth past the Saskatchewan Roughriders.