The Edmonton Elks enter their Week 4 matchup against the BC Lions with a perfect 3-0 record, but head coach Chris Jones is not taking the winless Lions lightly. Despite the Lions' 0-3 start, Jones described them as a 'formidable' opponent, warning that their record is deceptive.
Elks' Strong Start
The Elks have been one of the CFL's early surprises, winning all three games by an average of 8.7 points. Quarterback Cody Fajardo has thrown for 856 yards and six touchdowns, while the defense has allowed just 23.3 points per game. 'We know we have to keep improving every week,' Fajardo said. 'The Lions are too good to overlook.'
Lions' Struggles
The BC Lions have lost three straight, including a 27-24 defeat to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Week 3. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. has thrown for 891 yards but has only three touchdowns against four interceptions. Despite the struggles, Jones noted that the Lions have lost two games by a combined six points. 'They're better than their record shows,' he said. 'We have to be ready.'
Key Matchups
The Elks' offensive line, which has allowed just four sacks, will face a Lions defense that has recorded nine sacks. Edmonton's running game, led by Kevin Brown (247 yards, 2 TDs), will be crucial. On the other side, the Lions will look to get their ground game going with James Butler, who has only 156 yards so far.
According to CFL statistics, the Elks have the league's top third-down conversion rate at 62.5%, while the Lions struggle on defense on third down, allowing conversions 58.3% of the time. This could be a decisive factor in a close game.
Quote from Coach
'They're a talented team that hasn't put it together yet,' Jones said of the Lions. 'We can't afford to relax. Every week in this league is a battle.'
The game kicks off Saturday at 7:00 PM ET at BC Place in Vancouver.
