Xs and Argos Podcast

The Argos came up one yard short.

With Chad Kelly sitting this one out because of his hand injury, Nick Arbuckle stepped in and played well enough to give Toronto a chance to knock off one of the hottest teams in the CFL. But after driving all the way to the BC one-yard line in the final minute, the Argos were stopped on second and third down, ending a 24-17 Lions victory at BMO Field.

JB is back alongside Ben Grant for the Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction, and there's plenty to unpack from a game Toronto easily could have won.

Start with the defence, because it was outstanding. Nathan Rourke and a dangerous BC offence never reached the end zone. The Lions were forced to settle for eight field goals, several of them after drives stalled deep in Toronto territory. Rourke completed just 15 of 32 passes, and the Argos defence repeatedly kept the game within reach.

They also deserved a little better luck.

BC put the football on the ground four different times - and recovered every one of them. Instead of potentially game-changing takeaways for Toronto, the Lions kept possession each time and escaped without paying for their mistakes.

On offence, Arbuckle acquitted himself very well in Kelly's absence, completing 27 of 33 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns. Dave Ungerer III had a huge afternoon with 12 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown, and Toronto moved the ball well enough to have an opportunity to tie the game in the final seconds.

Unfortunately, the turnovers mattered. Arbuckle was careless with one throw that was intercepted, while his second pick came on one of the strangest plays you'll see - a tipped ball that Arbuckle tried to knock down, only for it to land in the hands of a BC defender lying on the turf.

And yet, despite all of it, Toronto still had a chance.

Trailing by seven, Arbuckle marched the Argos down the field in the final minutes and got them to the BC one-yard line. But on third down, Toronto couldn't punch it in.

One yard.

Ben and JB break down the defence, Arbuckle's performance, the turnovers, some rotten luck and that final sequence on the latest Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction.

Two of the hottest teams in the CFL collide at BMO Field.

With JB away, 3DownNation's JC Abbott joins Ben Grant as the BC Lions, winners of seven of their last eight, come to Toronto to face an Argonauts team that has quietly won seven of its last nine. And there's another trend working in Toronto's favour: BC has won just once in Toronto over the last decade. Is there anything behind the Lions' struggles when they make the trip east?

The show starts with the biggest concern of the week: Chad Kelly's throwing hand. Kelly finished last week's dramatic win in Winnipeg, but sat out Tuesday's practice with a hand injury. Ben and JC look at a couple of plays where the injury may have occurred and discuss what we know about his status heading into Saturday.

Then there's the CFL's secret trade deadline - or at least that's what it felt like. The deadline came and went with remarkably little fanfare, so what did the Argos do, what didn't they do, and was there an area of the roster Toronto should have tried to address before the playoffs?

There are a couple of intriguing additions to discuss as well. Former Oregon and Missouri defensive tackle Kristian Williams joins the Argos after spending time with the Denver Broncos. Ben went back to Williams' college film and found a potential CFL nose tackle. And a familiar face is back in Double Blue, with Ali Fayad returning to Toronto.

Then Ben sits down with Dr. David Greenberg, Head General Practitioner for the Toronto Argonauts, for a special conversation about sleep, travel and athletic performance. The Lions will cross three time zones for a 3 p.m. ET kickoff - noon according to their West Coast body clocks. How much can that actually matter? Dr. Greenberg explains what happens when athletes travel across time zones, how teams can prepare, and what all of us can learn about sleep and recovery.

Plus, we've got Pick Six, the Injury Report, OCDC, One Thing, Put Me Down for 20, and Challenge Flag!

It's BC and Toronto, two of the hottest teams in the CFL, and we've got you covered on the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough.

How on earth did the Argos win this game?

Ben Grant goes solo with JB away for a Postgame Reaction to one of Toronto's strangest victories of the season - a 30-28 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on a night when the Argos spent much of the first half looking completely out of sorts before finding big plays everywhere they needed them.

Toronto fell behind 21-7 and, offensively, was going nowhere. At halftime the Argos had run just 14 offensive plays, produced only 100 yards of offence and six rushing yards, and possessed the football for a remarkable 8:21. The reason they were even within a touchdown? Janarion Grant's 128-yard missed field goal return for a touchdown.

Then the game changed.

Chad Kelly and the offence finally found some explosives. Tyler Kahmann hauled in a 56-yard touchdown, and then Damonte Coxie blew the game open with an 84-yard touchdown reception. Coxie finished with 149 yards receiving as Kelly rebounded from a difficult start to throw for 290 yards and two touchdowns.

The defence found another gear as well. After Winnipeg controlled the first half, Toronto began creating pressure and turnovers, finishing with four sacks and two interceptions. But even then, the Bombers weren't done. A 76-yard QB sneak by Bryce Perkins put Winnipeg back in front 28-27 with just over six minutes remaining.

Which set the stage for one more bit of chaos.

With Toronto needing something from its return game, Grant fielded the ball and pulled off a Music City Miracle-style lateral pass to Dave Ungerer III, giving the Argos the field position they needed for one final drive. From there, Lirim Hajrullahu did what he's been doing since returning from injury: delivered. His late field goal put Toronto ahead, and James Ceasar's interception on Winnipeg's final possession slammed the door.

It was a night when special teams didn't just contribute, they were absolutely central to the victory. Grant scored one touchdown and helped manufacture the field position for the winning points, while Hajrullahu was clutch.

The Argos didn't run the ball particularly well, but it was better than last week. They lost the time-of-possession battle again. They were outgained on the ground 232-62. And for a good portion of the night, Winnipeg looked like the better football team.

But Toronto found explosive plays on offence, takeaways and sacks on defence, and game-changing moments on special teams.

Argos 30, Bombers 28.

Ben breaks down a wild one from Winnipeg, solo, on the Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction.

JB is away this week, so 3DownNation's John Hodge returns to the co-host chair for the first time since 2024 as the Toronto Argonauts head to Winnipeg for a Friday night matchup with the Blue Bombers.

There's some breaking news to discuss, with signs of actual movement toward CFL expansion in Quebec City.

Then it's on to the Argos, beginning with the loss of Tarvarus McFadden. The defensive back has been placed on the six-game injured list with only four games remaining in the regular season after injuring his hand while making the game-clinching interception against Edmonton. Ben and John discuss McFadden's remarkable road from being released by Toronto, then Ottawa, to becoming a Grey Cup champion and key part of this Argos secondary - and, most importantly, who can possibly replace him.

Toronto has also added an intriguing potential replacement in Nic Toomer, a long, athletic defensive back with experience throughout the secondary and some striking physical similarities to McFadden.

Then comes a bigger football question: Do you actually need a running game to win in the CFL?

Toronto somehow won last week despite finishing with minus-one rushing yard, which John notes is a record for a Canadian CFL team. But the issue goes beyond the rushing total. The Argos possessed the football for only 21 minutes, leaving their defence on the field far too long. Ben and John debate whether Toronto can simply lean into being an elite passing offence or whether developing a credible ground game is essential before the playoffs arrive.

There's also the latest on Chad Kelly's contract situation. Kelly and his agent have reportedly shut down extension talks for the remainder of the season. Is that actually something Argos fans should be concerned about, or simply business that can wait until the games are over?

In Pick Six, which potential West Division crossover opponent Toronto should fear most. The Argos have shown they can beat anybody, particularly at home, but Edmonton, Saskatchewan and BC present an uncomfortable common problem - Toronto hasn't consistently demonstrated that it can run the football against those kinds of fronts.

Then it's on to Winnipeg. Toronto has already secured second place in the East, so this game carries considerably more urgency for the Blue Bombers.

Plus, OCDC, the Injury Report, One Thing, Put Me Down for 20, and John takes over Challenge Flag.

It's Argos-Bombers, Hodge is back in the co-host chair, and we've got you covered on the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough.

The Argos have clinched a home playoff game, but they certainly didn't make it easy on themselves.

Ben Grant goes solo for this edition of the Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction after Toronto held on for a 24-19 win over the Edmonton Elks, guaranteeing postseason football at BMO Field with four games still remaining in the regular season.

For a half, the Argos threw the football all over the field. Chad Kelly piled up yards through the air, but Toronto was almost completely one-dimensional, managing just one rushing yard on three attempts. After halftime, even the passing attack disappeared as the offence was held scoreless in the second half.

Fortunately, the defence was ready to carry them.

Ralph Holley's 55-yard scoop-and-score provided the only Toronto points of the second half and ultimately gave the Argos just enough of a cushion. But Edmonton kept coming, and in the final minute the Elks drove all the way to the Toronto 17 with a chance to steal the game.

That's when Tarvarus McFadden ended it, intercepting Cody Fajardo in the end zone with 21 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

It wasn't pretty. The offence vanished for an entire half, Edmonton piled up yards and Toronto was one play away from watching the game slip away. But the defence made plays with the game on the line.

Argos 24, Elks 19. A home playoff game is officially coming to BMO Field.

Ben breaks it all down, solo, and may even go on a bit of a rant on the Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction.

Toronto enters Saturday's 3:00 p.m. matchup with Edmonton with a potential opportunity to clinch a playoff spot and secure a home playoff game.

The guys start with a busy transaction report featuring both intriguing additions and concerning injuries. Meanwhile, Toronto has added several new faces, including UFL standout quarterback Luis Perez - "The Spring King.

There may also be some very good news for the offensive line. Kendall Randolph appears close to returning after practicing fully for the past two weeks. With Rush Reimer suffering what appeared to be a significant injury against Ottawa, the timing couldn't be better.

Then comes a question Argos fans probably don't hear very often: Should you cheer for Hamilton this week?

A Ticats loss to Montreal could help Toronto lock down its current playoff position. But a Hamilton win would keep another possibility alive - first place in the East. The Argos currently sit three games behind Montreal, but that gap could be down to two after this weekend. With Toronto and Montreal scheduled to meet in Week 21, Ben and JB map out what would have to happen for that regular-season finale to potentially become a battle for first place.

Then it's on to the Edmonton matchup - on WWE Night at BMO Field, with 7,000 pairs of Jey Uso sunglasses being given away.

Plus, OCDC, the Injury Report, One Thing, Put Me Down for 20, and Challenge Flag.

The last time these teams met, Edmonton handed Toronto its ugliest loss of the season. This time, the Elks come to BMO with the Argos playing their best football of the year - and with a chance to take a major step toward securing their path through November.

We've got you covered on the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough.

The Argos won. Somehow, they also made it far more interesting than it ever needed to be.

Toronto moved the football almost at will against the Ottawa Redblacks, piling up first downs and consistently driving into scoring territory. Chad Kelly threw for 443 yards, the Argos produced 31 first downs, and the offence converted 16 of 24 second downs. For most of the afternoon, moving the ball wasn't the problem.

Finishing drives was.

Kelly was excellent between the 20s, completing 35 of 42 passes with two touchdowns, but both of his interceptions came in the red zone. Those missed opportunities allowed an Ottawa team that Toronto largely controlled to hang around, turning what could have been a comfortable victory into a game that came down to the final second.

There were plenty of individual performances to like. Dave Ungerer III exploded for 175 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Tyler Kahmann went over 100 yards and Kevin Mital caught nine passes. Isaiah Smith also continued to give Toronto balance on the ground, rushing 15 times for 84 yards.

Defensively, the Argos did their part. Ottawa was held to just 17 first downs, and Toronto's defence repeatedly kept the Redblacks from turning the Argos' offensive mistakes into control of the football game. Ottawa hung around, but it never felt as though Toronto was being outplayed.

And then things got very strange down the stretch.

Toronto had an opportunity to win the game in regulation, but some questionable clock and game management nearly resulted in the Argos running out of time altogether. Fortunately, the officials put one second back on the clock, giving Lirim Hajrullahu one final opportunity.

And Lirim delivered.

A week after his perfect return in the Labour Day Classic, Hajrullahu drilled the 29-yard field goal at 0:00 to give Toronto a 26-23 victory.

So how do you evaluate this one? The Argos were clearly the better team. The defence played well. The offence moved up and down the field. Kelly threw for more than 400 yards. But red-zone turnovers and some late-game management questions turned what should have been a relatively straightforward afternoon into a last-second escape.

Still, a win is a win. The Argos have now won back-to-back games, improve to 7-6, and continue to strengthen their position in the East.

Ben Grant and JB break down the good, the frustrating and a very strange final minute on the latest Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction.

It's perhaps the definition of a trap game, for those who believe in such things.

Fresh off a convincing Labour Day victory in Hamilton, the 6-6 Toronto Argonauts are back at BMO Field on a short week to face a very well-rested Ottawa Redblacks team with nothing to lose. Ben Grant and JB get you set for Toronto's third home game of the season on this week's Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough.

The guys start with the latest transaction involving Jordan Herdman-Reed before taking a look at the bigger picture in the East Division. With six games remaining, it's time to start talking Magic Numbers. What does Toronto need to do to secure a playoff berth, and where do the Argos stand in the race to host the East Semi-Final?

With Ryan Dinwiddie returning to BMO Field, how different is he from Mike Miller as a head coach and offensive mind? Ben and JB discuss two coaches who actually have plenty in common, but also some fascinating differences.

Then it's on to a game Toronto absolutely cannot afford to overlook.

Ottawa comes in rested, motivated and with players fighting for their futures. Dinwiddie would undoubtedly love to beat his former team, and the Redblacks have nothing to lose. Meanwhile, Toronto is coming off an emotional Labour Day victory and has had little time to recover and prepare.

The message to the Argos: bring everything you have.

In OCDC, Ben looks at how Ottawa can attack Toronto by turning the game into a physical battle for the Argos' linebackers.

For the Argos, the plan starts with something that worked extremely well against Hamilton: Kevin Mital as part of the protection scheme. But this time, Toronto can use that tendency against Ottawa by showing the same protection looks and leaking Mital into routes. And against a Redblacks defence allowing more than 130 rushing yards per game, there's no reason to abandon the ground game either.

Plus, the Injury Report, One Thing, Put Me Down for 20, and Challenge Flag.

Toronto has fought its way back to .500 and taken control of second place in the East. Now comes a different challenge: beating a team everyone expects you to beat.

It's Ottawa at Toronto, Ryan Dinwiddie is back at BMO Field, and we've got you covered on the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough.

Now that is how you respond.

One week after a frustrating loss in Saskatchewan, the Toronto Argonauts went into Hamilton for the Labour Day Classic, outplayed the Tiger-Cats and came away with a convincing 37-22 victory in one of their most important games of the season. Ben Grant and JB break down a true full-team win on the latest Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction.

Defensively, the challenge started with Tre Ford. Toronto did an excellent job containing one of the CFL's most dangerous athletes in the first half, preventing Ford from taking over the game with his legs and forcing Hamilton to find other ways to move the football. The defence bent at times after halftime, but the outcome never really felt in doubt.

Offensively, Chad Kelly was dealing, but some of the biggest plays of the afternoon belonged to his receivers. Damonte Coxie, Jake Herslow, and Dave Ungerer III each found the end zone, and all three touchdowns were impressive physical plays in their own way. Toronto's receivers repeatedly put their bodies on the line to finish catches, turning accurate throws from Kelly into some of the defining moments of the game.

And then there was Lirim Hajrullahu. Five games after missing a game-winning field goal in Hamilton and subsequently landing on the injured list, Lirim returned to the scene of the crime and looked every bit like the veteran professional Toronto has come to trust. He was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals and 4-for-4 on converts, including a booming 52-yarder.

There was no late-game heartbreak this time. The offence made plays. The defence did its job. Special teams delivered. And after letting a very winnable game get away in Saskatchewan, the Argos responded with one of their most complete performances of the season when they needed it most. Toronto is back to .500 at 6-6, has won the season series against Hamilton and has put itself firmly in control of second place in the East. It's Argos 37, Ticats 22 in the Labour Day Classic, and Ben and JB break it all down on the Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction.

Labour Day!

The 5-6 Toronto Argonauts head down the QEW for the annual Labour Day Classic against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and this year's edition could have enormous implications for the East Division playoff race.

Ben Grant and JB get you set for one of the biggest games on the CFL calendar on this week's Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough.

The guys start with a surprising transaction: Toronto has released rookie kicker Brady Lidster, who handled the kicking duties for the past five games while Lirim Hajrullahu recovered from a hamstring injury. With Lidster gone and no other active kicker on the roster, is a familiar face about to return?

There's also some off-field CFL news to dig into. The league has launched its new website, and Ben and JB discuss the early returns before turning their attention to the CFL's upcoming field-dimension changes. USPORTS and Football Canada won't be adopting the new dimensions in 2027, creating some logistical questions for teams that share facilities with university programs.

This week's Pick Six asks a question that takes us back to the days of Condredge Holloway and Joe Barnes: whatever happened to quarterback tandems? If Chad Kelly is struggling, why not give Nick Arbuckle a series or two? Ben and JB examine why modern offences have largely moved away from rotating quarterbacks and whether there are situations where it could still make sense.

Then it's time for the Labour Day Classic.

The stakes are enormous. A Toronto victory would put the Argos four points ahead of Hamilton with a game in hand and secure the season-series tiebreaker, giving them a commanding advantage in the race for second place in the East. A loss would pull Hamilton level on points, hand the Ticats the tiebreaker and turn the final stretch of the season into a fight for playoff positioning.

There's also some potentially significant news in the Injury Report, as a big name makes his return to practice.

In OCDC, Ben looks at how Hamilton could use both Tre Ford and Harrison Frost - even within the same drive - to take advantage of a Toronto defence that has been forced to prepare for two very different quarterbacks.

For the Argos, the question is how they respond if Hamilton follows Saskatchewan's second-half blueprint and leans heavily on man coverage. Ben wants Toronto to start with the running game, use stacks, bunches, reduced splits and motion to manufacture separation, and make Kevin Mital a central part of the plan. If Hamilton wants to turn its back to the football and challenge Toronto's receivers to beat man coverage, the Argos need to make the Ticats regret it.

Plus, One Thing, Put Me Down for 20, and Challenge Flag.

It's Argos-Ticats. It's Labour Day. And for a Toronto team trying once again to get back to .500, this one could go a long way toward deciding where the East Final road runs through in November.

We've got you covered on the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough.