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CFL.ca Staff
VANCOUVER — The Lions may be playing much better football of late, but Jonathon Jennings isn’t the only reason.
The 23-year-old rookie is credited for providing a spark for a team once seemingly without a direction this season, but also responsible — perhaps far more quietly — is a defensive unit that’s buckled down and performed at an elite level over the last two months.
In the last three games, the Lions have allowed only three touchdown drives (one per game) over 48 opponent possessions. They’ve limited the number of red zone opportunities allowed and also been tough to beat inside their own 20, facing only nine opponent red zone chances and holding eight of those attempts to a field goal or a turnover.
But the difference isn’t only visible over the last three games — it’s a trend that goes back to around the midway point of the season. Here’s what you should know about what’s quickly becoming one of the CFL’s stingiest defensive units:
The Lions have faced a run of challenging opponents and come out of it all with a 1-5 record in their last six games, but the results don’t demonstrate the type of football this team has played. Jennings has added explosiveness to an offence that now pushes the ball downfield, led by one of the CFL’s elite in Emmanuel Arceneaux.
Yet the defence’s improvement over the span of eight games has been key, especially with a rookie quarterback that sometimes struggles to sustain drives (the Lions this season are averaging 27:55 in time of possession, winning that battle head-to-head only four times in 2015). While Jennings finds his footing with just his fifth career start on tap, the Lions will also continue to lean on a defence that is limiting opponents to 333 yards per game over the last seven.
What’s most impressive is that the Lions have managed to improve that aspect despite missing last year’s Most Outstanding Player, Solomon Elimimian. Alex Hoffman-Ellis has filled in admirably for him, while Adam Bighill continues to lead the CFL in tackles and T.J. Lee is the only player in the top 10 in both tackles and interceptions.
With Jennings leading the offence and BC’s defence peaking at exactly the right time, stats are showing that this Lions club could be a darkhorse, if it can make the playoffs. First thing’s first, of course, and that’s taking care of business and winning the race to the post-season.