Ottawa woke up Sunday to yet another tough result for the Redblacks, who dropped a 45-24 decision to the BC Lions to mark a full year without a win. It has now been twelve months since the club last found its way to the win column, a stretch that has tested even the most patient fans at TD Place.
What Happened on the Field
The Lions jumped out early and never really let up, piling on points while the Redblacks struggled to find any sustained rhythm on offence. Ottawa put together stretches of promising football, including a few long drives that ended in touchdowns, but couldn't string together enough stops on defence to keep pace. By the final whistle, the 21-point gap told the story of a team still searching for answers.
A Rough Stretch for the Capital's CFL Club
For a city that has rallied behind the Redblacks since their return to the league in 2014, this losing streak is a hard pill to swallow. TD Place has hosted plenty of electric nights, from the 2016 Grey Cup run to sold-out crowds during playoff pushes. Watching the team go a full calendar year without a win is a stark contrast to those highs, and it's put real pressure on the coaching staff and front office to figure out what needs to change.
Ottawa fans have kept showing up regardless, and local sports bars and Bank Street patios still fill up on game days. That loyalty is part of what makes this stretch sting even more. Season ticket holders and casual fans alike are asking the same question: when does this turn around?
What's Next
With the losing streak now stretching to a full year, all eyes turn to how the coaching staff adjusts the game plan for the remainder of the schedule. Younger players have been getting more reps as the front office looks to build for the future, and there's cautious hope that some of those pieces start to click together. The Redblacks' next home game will be another chance for the Ottawa faithful to pack TD Place and will be a key test of whether the team can finally snap the drought in front of its own crowd.
Until then, Ottawa football fans are left leaning on history and hope, knowing this city has weathered rebuilding stretches before and come out the other side with a team worth cheering for.
Source: CTV News, via Google News
