You’re only as good as your last game. That message has lingered throughout the week, as the 5-5 BC Lions aim for a third straight victory at the 2-8 Toronto Argonauts in week 12 of the Canadian Football League.
Now the pressure is on to keep building off the impressive results of the last two weeks, as the playoff push begins to heat up. A third straight win on Saturday also goes a long way in maintaining a cushion over the teams behind them, as well as keeping pace in the logjam that is the Western Division.
With an offence that keeps putting up big numbers and a defensive unit that’s starting to click, the potential remains very intriguing for this motivated Lions squad. Here are 5 Things to keep an eye on.
Week 12, August 23: BC Lions at Toronto Argonauts.
Kickoff: Noon PT, BMO Field.
TV: TSN/CTV.
Stream: CFL+.
Radio: 730 CKNW/Sher-E Punjab Radio Am 600/Sirius XM Canada Talks 167.
1. Greatest Show On Canadian Turf?
Last week’s performance represented the sixth 300-plus yard passing game for Nathan Rourke this season. The reigning top offensive player of the week has been brilliant at spreading the ball around in these recent two victories. There were no fewer than eight receivers who caught at least one pass against the Alouettes, while Keon Hatcher Sr., Ayden Eberhardt and Justin McInnis have all eclipsed 100 yards receiving in the last two weeks.
In their five wins this season, the Lions’ offence has averaged 480 net yards per game. They are now averaging a CFL-best 427.1 per game overall. If Buck Pierce’s unit continues to produce at this rate, you can stack the Lions up with any team in the Canadian Football League. The Toronto defence has also allowed a CFL-worst 114.4 rushing yards per game. Perhaps a perfect formula for James Butler to make an impact.
2. Toss The Records Out
They may be without their starting quarterback and have also lost a few key veterans in the offseason, but the Boatmen still boast a handful of key players who sipped from the Grey Cup last November. On defence, Wynton McManis leads the way. Nick Arbuble has shown flashes leading the offence and is another one with that championship pedigree.
Even with Damonte Coxie ruled out of this one due to a head injury, Arbuckle has some good playmakers at his disposal including Dejon Brissett, Kevin Mital and David Ungerer. These Argonauts are probably asking the same questions the Lions were just a few weeks ago: how do we turn the tide? Lion players and coaches know it will be another grind in their quest for a third straight win.
3. Turn Up The Pass Rush
Saturday marks a significant opportunity to exploit an area where the Argonauts have struggled: protecting the quarterback. Mathieu Betts and the improving defensive front can take another big step by making life tougher for Arbuckle to get the ball out to those aforementioned weapons.
The win over Montreal provided a nice template with Betts a thorn in James Morgan’s side for much of the evening. Shortening the field for Rourke and perhaps creating a couple of turnovers is the perfect recipe.
2024 CFL Week 18: BC Lions vs. Calgary Stampeders. Steven Chang/BC Lions.
4. ‘D’ Is Also For Discipline
It’s no secret: they must clean up the penalties. Losing the turnover battle and committing 12 infractions for 137 yards is not a sustainable model in the quest to win games. It was a similar script in Hamilton two weeks ago, as they committed. With field position and time of possession being major elements of what makes this team successful, leaving flags in the officials’ pockets only contributes to that cause. Football is an emotional game and they must keep those emotions in check.
Week 12 is set.
Here’s how we’ll take the field against Toronto.
#BCLions | @PlayNowSports pic.twitter.com/SlZfsZCkj6— BC LIONS (@BCLions) August 22, 2025
5. What They’re Saying
“That’s the Grey Cup champs. Every time we go to Toronto, whether they’ve been good in the past or haven’t been so good, it’s always been a battle. We want to come out and dominate every snap, dominate every position, not so much focus on their record but focus on our formula and what we need to do to win.” -Garry Peters on the Boatmen.
“Great, leader, great quarterback, great man. I aspire to be like him in a few ways, you know? Nate’s done great. I’m excited to see how he can finish this season. He’s a great leader, he does a great job, in and out of the huddle, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”- Hatcher Sr. on Rourke’s solid attributes.
“As a coach, you focus on those things, you want to make sure practice is looking the right way, the conversations being had are the correct conversations. As a player, it’s about looking at yourself and diving into the game plan, studying your opponent and looking at the things you can do to be successful against them. They are a talented, well-coached, tough football team that plays hard. We’ve got to make sure that we’re playing our best football.”- Buck Pierce on how this will be a test of how his team has grown.