Toronto Argonauts clinch playoff spot with wild finish against Lions

The Toronto Argonauts needed overtime but were able to hold on for a win over the B.C. Lions and clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2017.

It was a head-scratching finish at BMO Field but the Toronto Argonauts will take the win and try to learn from the mistakes that nearly cost them a victory.

After the B.C. Lions missed a field goal that was blocked by Dexter McCoil Sr., the Argos set themselves up in victory formation. However, with nearly 45 seconds on the clock and the Lions using a timeout, Toronto was forced to punt the ball back giving their opponent one last opportunity to try and win the game.

“I totally blew it,’’ said Dinwiddie when asked about the late-game time management by Frank Zicarelli of the Toronto Sun. “There were 44 seconds left and they (Lions) had a timeout. I lost track. It’s on me. I apologized to the guys afterward.

“It was a bad mistake. I have to be better with the clock management. It was a brain fart on my end. I’m pretty embarrassed by it … It could have cost us an opportunity to play in the playoffs.”

Fortunately for the Argonauts, Jimmy Camacho couldn’t convert on a 37-yard field goal that did go out of the endzone and provide the Lions with the game-tying rouge.

In overtime, McLeod Bethel-Thompson tried to hit Chander Worthy in the endzone and was able to draw the defensive pass interference. Antonio Pipkin was able to get the ball in the endzone and Toronto converted the two-point convert on a play they haven’t had to use often but certainly worked for them.

The Lions were able to get into the endzone in overtime but failed to score on the two-point convert which sealed the win for Toronto in a season where expectations were high for the group.

Those guys are excited. I told them at the beginning of the year that we’re going to be a playoff team. That’s our goal, get in there and get a chance. I just reminded them that everybody picked us last going in the game, we were ranked ninth among all teams,” Dinwiddie said about clinching a playoff spot. “No one expected us to get here … The players did, and they’ve done a great job and so has our coaching staff and our scouting department all those guys have but we’re not satisfied. We’re happy that we’re here as that was one of our main goals. But you know, we got three more games to try to get us a home playoff game and then you got a chance to possibly win the East.”

Toronto Argonauts miss out on big plays and chances to put game away

Throughout the game, there were opportunities for the Argos to take shots down the field that could’ve been the difference in this game. Whether it was a missed throw from Bethel-Thompson or a drop by a receiver, it’s something the Argos know they need to work on.

DaVaris Daniels continues to be a steady presence in the offence getting his team-leading fourth touchdown of the season. He finished with a team-high 51 yards followed by Kurleigh Gittens Jr. who had 44 yards.

One player who didn’t produce like we’ve come to expect of him was Ricky Collins Jr. He missed a play late in the game where it looked like he could’ve either gotten big yardage or scored a touchdown.

Despite that, Daniels says that he had no concern for his teammate in that situation as he is someone they can count on to be a big contributor.

“There’s not much to say to Rick because he knows what type of player he is, we know what type of player he is. He helped us win many games, before this one. Everybody has nights like this every once in a while, obviously, it’s frustrating, but we know what really brings to the table and that he’s a fighter man, he’s a playmaker. He’s going to make the right plays nine out of 10 times.”

Toronto will look to build on this victory as they travel to take on the Ottawa Redblacks as they try to keep their advantage in the East Division.

What are your thoughts on the Argos win over the Lions? Can they find a way to fix their mistakes as they look to round out their form heading into the playoffs? Let us know in the comments below.