1st and Now

Matt and Nik are jacked up after a bye week and ready for our 5th trip to Winnipeg in the last 13 months. Along with previewing the Blue Bombers with Hustler Paterson from Winnipeg Sports Talk, Matt and Nik ring in their 100th episode together by going around the CFL in what is shaping up to be an exciting week of action across the league.

Lions analyst Giulio Caravatta joins the podcast to give an assessment on the squad after six games and help preview Sunday’s big matchup in Calgary and what to expect from a Stampeders squad that has lost two in a row. Giulio also breaks down what makes Vernon Adams Jr. the elite player he is. Matt and Nik also go around the CFL while recapping last week’s impressive victory over Saskatchewan that put them into sole possession of first place in the West.

Matt and Nik are back to preview Saturday's 1st place battle with Saskatchewan and some of the exciting plans for our second annual Watermelon Smash. Quarterback Chase Brice joins the fellas to talk about his memories of Clemson, his friendship with Trevor Lawrence and adjustments to life in the Canadian Football League.

Matt & Nik bring you a special 1st and Now with Lion legends Jamie Taras, Angus Reid and Honourary Jennifer Whiteside, Minster of Mental Health And Addiction. The roundtable discusses the Help Starts Here Program and how people battling mental health and addictions can seek help.

It's Hamilton week as the Lions are back at work in search of a fourth straight win this Sunday. Matt and Nik are thrilled to be joined by Steve Milton, formerly with the Hamilton Spectator and now with Ticats.ca. 'Uncle Milty' gives a thorough breakdown of what has plagued the Ticats in their 0-4 start while giving credit to how well Bo Levi Mitchell has performed despite their record.

It's another rivalry week as Matt and Nik look ahead to Thursday Night Football against the Edmonton Elks. The boys speak with Elks' radio analyst Dave Campbell on the 0-3 start, how the offence has looked under McLeod Bethel-Thompson and a little check- in on the Alberta Capital after a long Stanley Cup run.

A special bonus episode of the podcast this week as BC Lions legend Andrew Harris makes his 1st and Now debut. The 2011 Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian discusses the documentary ‘Running Back Relentless’ which chronicles his eventful and sometimes turbulent path to pro football. Harris also re-lives some of his best memories in Lion colours.

Matt and Nik recap a special Concert Kickoff home opener against Calgary and a big divisional win. The fellas also look forward to another big divisional test in Winnipeg against a depleted Bombers team. The boys are also excited to welcome Team Canada head coach Warren Craney ahead of this weekend's World Junior Championships in Edmonton where Canada goes for a third straight gold medal.

Matt and Nik tee up Saturday’s much anticipated Concert Kickoff featuring 50 Cent and the keys to taking down the Stampeders. Defensive lineman Josh Archibald joins the show to discuss how much he’s grown in three years while giving an in -depth review of his first career sack in Toronto which had a historical result.

Lions' receiver Ayden Eberhardt joins the show to talk about his goals for year two with the squad. He also breaks down some of his great Wyoming memories which included some great stories about quarterback Josh Allen. Matt and Nik also look ahead to the week one opener in Toronto, break down the other three CFL games and recap what has been a busy and exciting week in the city with Lions football grabbing plenty of headlines.