Toronto Argonauts Week 3 preview: Home opener a crucial game

After starting their season on the road, the Toronto Argonauts return to BMO Field looking to get back in the win column in a rematch against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

It’s a game many Toronto Argonauts fans have waited over a year for and finally, they will make their way to BMO Field to watch their team.

This team is definitely different from what many fans saw back in 2019 and going 1-1 in their first two games on the road should be encouraging given all the changes this team has gone through. At the same time, they know the tough challenge that awaits them.

More from Tip of the Tower

• Cam Phillips making his mark on Toronto Argonauts offence
• Toronto Argonauts: 4 storylines ahead of matchup against Redblacks
• Federico Bernardeschi ready for new challenge with Toronto FC
• Toronto Argonauts overcome Roughriders in entertaining Touchdown Atlantic
• Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith

In Week 2 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Argos managed to keep the game close as the defence gave the offence every opportunity to go toe-to-toe against the defending Grey Cup champions. This led to a change at quarterback for the home opener as Nick Arbuckle will make his first start since signing with Toronto.

This is a big opportunity for Arbuckle who is looking to prove that he can be a starting quarterback in the CFL after spending a few years behind Bo Levi Mitchell in Calgary. He thought that was going to be with the Ottawa Redblacks but now it’s with the Double Blue.

"“It’s going to be exciting, I know that for sure, and there’s probably going to be a combination of the excitement and nerves that creates those butterflies in your stomach when you go out there for the first play,” Arbuckle said in the team’s final practice before the game. “But once we get going, and once that first play happens, especially the first hit happens, and everything gets rolling, it’s just going to be football.”"

It’s not going to be an easy game for Arbuckle considering Winnipegs defence has only allowed a combined 13 points through two games this season. It wasn’t until Arbuckle came into the game in the third quarter that the Argos got on the board and it can’t be overstated how crucial it is for Toronto to get off to a good start.

Considering how tough it has been to attract fans to BMO Field, the Argos need to do what they can on the field to make fans want to return. Far too often, the team was blown out at home like their home opener in 2019 when they lost 64-14.

Even if they do not win, Toronto needs to do what they can to keep this game close and here are some of the ways they can do that.

Toronto Argonauts cannot give Blue Bombers anything easy through penalties or mistakes

Winnipeg has thrived with this season with their aggressive mindset on defence and calculated precision on offence.

They struggled at times against the Argos defence but they were provided with numerous opportunities with Toronto struggling to cut down on their penalties. The Blue Bombers took advantage of a fumble from John White which added some extra cushion to their lead.

Cut down on those mistakes and the Argos have a better chance to win that game. This is the best part about going up against Winnipeg again because that film is fresh in their minds and the tendencies from the opposing players are as well.

Toronto’s offensive line still has their work cut out for them as Winnipeg boasts one of the top defensive fronts in the league. Their secondary also proved to be better than many expected but there were plays the Argos quarterbacks left on the field.

This should be a closer game if the Argos offence can find a way to drive the ball down the field and convert on chances. If not, they’ll miss a chance to take the lead in the East Division.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LznjooM3nJsWhat are you looking forward to in the home opener? Can the Argos beat the Blue Bombers in the rematch? Let us know in the comments below.