The Ottawa REDBLACKS are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2018. After four frustrating seasons with no more than four wins, Ottawa resurfaced this year and earned a trip to Toronto for the semi-final from the East.

And after some minor scuffles down the stretch, the REDBLACKS finished the 2024 campaign with an important 37-31 win over Hamilton, ending a losing streak after five games. Will that be enough to put Ottawa on track to win Saturday’s semifinal?

This is one of the many questions that remain unanswered. Here are four more that could come into play this weekend.

CFL 2024 PLAYOFFS
» O’Leary: 3 scenarios to watch in the East semi-final
» Buy tickets for the semi-finals: Ottawa vs. Toronto
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» Hall: 3 reasons why the Argos’ defense is trending ahead heading into the Eastern Semifinal

HOW WILL DRU BROWN PERFORM IN HIS FIRST PLAYOFF START?

In many ways, Brown was the stabilizing force the REDBLACKS had been looking for for half a decade. Ottawa had been looking for the right quarterback since opting to let Trevor Harris are walking towards the open market after their loss in 2018 in the 106th Gray Cup. And after many failures in this quest, the REDBLACKS finally succeeded with Brown.

But he’s never started a CFL playoff game before.

Brown finished the regular season third overall with 3,959 passing yards, 18 touchdown passes, and ten interceptions. Brown’s finish to the regular season was even more positive, as he threw for 445 yards and three touchdowns in Ottawa’s Week 21 win over the Tiger-Cats.

But as we know, the playoffs can be a different beast. Lining Zach Collaros the previous two years in Winnipeg, Brown has an idea of ​​what to expect Saturday afternoon. But until he’s the guy under center this weekend, he’s still a bit of an unknown.

CAN OTTAWA GET ITS RUNNING GAME?

Running back Khalan Laborn finished the season with 310 rushing yards and a major (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)

The REDBLACKS struggled to get their ground attack going for much of the regular season and finished last overall averaging 83.7 rushing yards per game. To make things more difficult, they will face the best run defense in the East Division on Saturday afternoon. Toronto finished second behind Saskatchewan, allowing just 85.1 rushing yards per game.

Following the decision to release Ryquell Armstead in early September, Ottawa opted for a CFL newcomer. Khalan Laborn as their starting tail throughout the stretch. Used sparingly, Laborn rushed for 310 yards and a touchdown in six appearances and averaged 5.0 yards per carry. I’ll be curious to see how much the REDBLACKS lean on Laborn and Saturday’s running game.

CAN THE RED AND BLACK CONTAIN THE JANARION SUBSIDY?

In his first season with the Argos, Grant reclaimed his throne as the CFL’s most explosive returner. An X-factor in every game he plays, Grant has a habit of saving some of his most electrifying runs for the playoffs. We witnessed this several times during his visit to Winnipeg.

Grant led the league with 989 kick return yards this season, to go along with a ridiculous three touchdowns. He added another touchdown and 1,000-yard punts. Grant’s total of four return touchdowns was by far the highest total in the league, meaning the REDBLACKS will have to be extremely careful on Saturday.

HOW DO THEY KEEP TORONTO’S RUSH PASS AWAY?

Ottawa has its work cut out for it in the trenches this weekend. Toronto enters the 2024 playoffs with the league’s scariest pass rush, having led the CFL with 48 sacks during the regular season. Linemen Jake Ceresna, Ralph Holley, Robbie Smith, Folarine OrimoladeAnd Derek Parish all finished with six or more sacks, which is a balance most teams can only dream of.

On the other hand, the REDBLACKS have allowed a respectable 40 sacks this year, which is right in the middle of the pack. While it might be difficult to completely neutralize the Argos and their pass rush, Ottawa’s ability to limit the pressure they put on Brown could go a long way in deciding Saturday’s outcome.