Lions lose to Redblacks - playoff spot in jeopardy

I think the lesson learned today was that the CFL should never, ever again schedule a game on a Sunday afternoon during the opening week of NFL football. Not only did Lions fans not show up during a 31-18 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks at BC Place this afternoon, but the team seemed dull and bleak during the entire 60 minutes.

A Lions game on a Sunday afternoon during NFL season isn't a great idea. Not about giving in to the NFL, it's about maximizing your audience

— Satiar Shah (@SatiarShah) September 13, 2015

The BC Lions just announced a crowd of 19,833, which is likely inflated by about 4-5,000 more than the *actual* attendance. #CFL

— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) September 13, 2015

The Lions managed to rush for just 9 yards on Sunday, with running back Andrew Harris asked to run the ball just four times. The Most Outstanding Player in 2011 Grey Cup may be the only hope to keep B.C.’s offence afloat, and was rightfully vehement post-game.

Andrew Harris bolted out after the game. No media. No shower. Just changed and left. He doesn’t like the Lions’ offence either.

— Ed Willes (@willesonsports) September 13, 2015

Meanwhile, John Beck’s first career CFL start didn’t go as he planned. The former NFL quarterback struggled at the helm, tossing two interceptions and throwing for 207 yards. The offence only whipped up 11 first downs in the loss, and the bulk of those came in the fourth quarter after the game had already slipped away.

The Lions had 18-14 lead going into halftime as a result of kick returner Chris Rainey’s work in the second quarter. Rainey, a former star for Florida in the SEC conference of college football, ran a pair of kicks into the red zone for BC – including a 98-yarder that ended at the Ottawa one-yard line to set up both Lions touchdowns.

But B.C. didn’t score again, falling short of executing big plays at pivotal times.

The ageless Henry Burris continued to portray the gunslinger that CFL fans are accustomed to by now, and this afternoon he picked apart the Lions’ defence. Burris threw for 317 yards, while Jeremiah Johnson ran for 100 yards on 17 carries.

B.C. currently holds a record of 4-6, and could find themselves out of a playoff spot with a strong chance of an Eastern team crossing over. We will see if the Lions do something major to react to recent poor performances or if they stick with the status quo.