Ottawa's Redblacks are on the road again this weekend, and the numbers are not kind. The 0-11 Redblacks visit the 6-6 Toronto Argonauts on Saturday afternoon at BMO Field, carrying a losing streak that has become the story of the CFL season.
A modern CFL record
Ottawa has now lost 17 consecutive games dating back to last season, a modern CFL record. The skid has followed the Redblacks through a coaching change and a roster in flux, and Saturday's matchup with a playoff-calibre Argos team does not offer an obvious spot to snap it.
New faces on defence
Ottawa will lean on a retooled lineup Saturday, with 12 new roster additions, 11 of them on defence. The newcomers include cornerback Christian Matthew, halfbacks Adrian Frye and Travian Blaylock, defensive end Luiji Vilain and defensive tackle Isaiah Mack. It is the kind of wholesale shuffling a team makes when the results have not been there, and it means an Argos offence that leads the CFL in several categories will see a defence it has not faced before.
The Dinwiddie factor
There is a personal thread running through this game for Ottawa's sideline. Redblacks head coach and general manager Ryan Dinwiddie spent 2021 to 2025 as the Argos' head coach, winning Grey Cups in 2022 and 2024 and CFL coach of the year in 2023 before taking over in Ottawa. Saturday puts him back at BMO Field, this time trying to find a way past the team he used to run.
What Toronto is watching for
Despite Ottawa's record, Toronto is not treating the game as a formality. Argos receiver Damonte Coxie told reporters, "You can't go out there taking them lightly or you're going to get punched in the mouth." Quarterback Chad Kelly, who leads the CFL in passing yards (3,961), touchdowns (27) and interceptions (18) this season, said he is bracing for defensive surprises from Ottawa's overhauled unit: "Expect the unexpected. What kind of wrinkles are they going to try to pull out?"
The two teams already met once this season, with Toronto winning 44-24 on June 20 as Kelly threw four touchdowns despite four interceptions. Toronto arrives off a 37-22 win over Hamilton on Labour Day, while Ottawa is coming off a 45-24 home loss to the B.C. Lions on August 30.
Bright spots for Ottawa
It has not been all bad for Ottawa individually. Quarterback Jake Maier is 3-3 all-time against Toronto, and receiver Keelan White has been one of the few consistent threats on offence, catching eight passes for 127 yards against B.C. and posting six or more catches in seven straight games.
Earlier this month
Ottawa's losing streak has already reshaped conversations around the team this month, from the future of Maier at quarterback to what it could mean for Lansdowne's finances. Read ottown's earlier report on the quarterback debate and ottown's earlier report on where the streak ranks in league history.
Sources: Global News (via Canadian Press), The Canadian Press
