The Ottawa Redblacks are heading into their initial bye week of the CFL campaign.
They not only suffered their second loss in eight days against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but also saw their CFL-low 1-6 record worsen, while losing starting quarterback Dru Brown to a potential concussion following a hit that frustrated head coach Bob Dyce.
Although the 30-15 loss in front of only 15,054 spectators at TD Place on Sunday evening doesn't eliminate their chances of reaching the playoffs, the Redblacks secured the third seed last year with a 9-8-1 record.
With that measure, they will probably need to secure at least seven victories out of their next 11 games when they come back from the break.
At this stage, it appears to be a challenging task.
In addition to suffering their fourth consecutive loss, the Redblacks saw Brown leave the game early in the second quarter after he dropped back to pass and was tackled forcefully by Hamilton's defensive back Dashaun Amos, who caused the quarterback's helmet to fly off with an illegal contact.
The "unnecessary roughness major grade 2" penalty cost the Tiger-Cats 25 yards and Ottawa its top quarterback.
"We claim we're going to protect quarterbacks, but I'm not sure how that isn't a ejection," Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce said to TSN's Claire Hanna during the break.
The Redblacks, nevertheless, reacted well to the challenge.
As the game began with his team down 10-3, substitute Dustin Crum brought some life to the offense by implementing a running strategy that was absent in the first quarter.
In the last 12 minutes of the second quarter, he threw 10 completions in 10 attempts, and with Lewis Ward scoring four field goals, Ottawa was only one point behind at halftime.
The 12 points the Redblacks achieved in the first half were the second-highest they've managed this season.
Ottawa had the opportunity to capitalize on a brief surge during its first possession of the third quarter, but Geno Lewis lost control of the ball before reaching the first down marker, resulting in Crum's first incomplete pass following 11 consecutive completions.
Compelled to kick the ball, the defense appeared poised to regain possession when Michael Wakefield recorded his second sack of the season, leaving the visitors facing a second-and-18 down.
However, Bo Levi Mitchell connected with Kiondre Smith for a 63-yard pass to the Ottawa 3-yard line, and Treshaun Ward scored on a run up the middle in the following play.
A well-known opponent created the initial hole.
Following two and a half games without an interception, Brown committed his third in three quarters when he was intercepted by Stavros Katsantonis at the Ottawa 47, nine minutes into the game.
Two games later, Kenny Lawler broke free past Redblacks cornerback Alijay McGhee for a 41-yard touchdown reception.
This was Lawler's third touchdown in two matches against Ottawa and the league's eighth of the season.
With Brown, the Redblacks also suffered the loss of experienced Canadian defensive tackle Cleyon Laing due to a possible leg injury during the first quarter.
Ottawa is currently experiencing its initial week off this season, with their next game scheduled for July 31 when they will face the Calgary Stampeders, who are tied for first in the West Division.
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