Toronto Argonauts get elusive first win of season at BMO Field

The Toronto Argonauts have finally snapped their 6-game losing streak, and man-to-man, they feel stronger because of it.

The Toronto Argonauts got back to their winning ways defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28-27. It was a vindicating victory for the Argos, who have been insisting all year that the team they had was not as bad as their record showed.

"“It’s huge on a number of different levels.” Coach Chamblin said when asked what the win means. “On a personal level, the way the guys work on a day to day basis, and from a faith level from believing every single day we’ll break through, its huge.”"

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Chamblin was practically giddy after the game, and with good reason. A lot of pressure was beginning to pile up, but give credit where credit is due – this coaching staff continued to preach accountability and belief in the players they had, no matter the results.

"“We were close a few times [to a win], but we needed to find a way to dig in and fight., Chamblin explained. “When guys see that, and you build that metal, to believe in spite of things not going your way, those are the things that can take you to a championship.”"

The 42-year-old quickly downplayed that a second later, insisting that he knew it was “just one game”, but the point is a good one. Jumping ship is a common occurrence in professional team sports, especially in a game like football where the seasons are not very long.

It would have been easy for members of this team to start finger-pointing, either in the media or to each other. It would have been easy for guys to start playing for next year, and protect themselves as best they can because this team wasn’t going places.

And to a man, the Toronto Argos did not do that. They continued to believe in the message and game plan the coaching staff game them, and their faith was finally rewarded.

Speaking with Mcleod Bethel-Thompson after the game, it was clear that the Argos starter felt the monkey was finally off his back.

"“It’s relieving to have the breaks go our way.” He joked in the locker room. “Look, the stuff we’ve been through…you can’t start the season worse than us…the emotional fortitude and inner strength is strong here.”"

Bethel-Thompson praised Chamblin’s message in particular – a message that many in the media had rolled their eyes at as the team lost game after game.
“Props to coach Chamb for believing in us, week after week. He never gave up, he thought we were close. And 60 guys in this locker room believed.”

The starting quarterback was unwilling to make the victory about himself, but his teammates did not miss the opportunity to heap praise on their quarterback, who was under the microscope this week after the team traded for Zach Collaros.

"“ We always go to him and say hey, we got your back. No matter what, we got your back.” Chris Rainey said post-game.“We were close, so many times. It’s one minute every time. One minute, we lose the game, every time. This time, we finally got the win.”"

The revisionist history is already being spun about this game. How a one-point win shouldn’t be celebrated, how the Winnipeg Blue Bombers “aren’t the team we thought they were.”

All that’s garbage. A win is a win, and no one hesitated to heap pressure on the Argos when they lost to the B.C. Lions by one point.

And recent Ontario struggles aside, two weeks ago the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were unquestionably the best team in this league. That didn’t just disappear overnight. Like it or not, the Argos are walking around with some serious mojo, and now go into the bye with a winning feeling that was sorely missed in July.

Next. Zach Collaros trade proves team still looking to compete. dark

With four of their next six games being at home, and Hamilton stumbling, Toronto has an opportunity here to claw their way out of the hole they dug themselves, and make a real push for November football.

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