Edmonton Elks aim to clinch playoff berth with Labour Day clash in Calgary

The Edmonton Elks will travel to Calgary on Monday, Sept. 9 for the 44th consecutive Labour Day matchup against the Stampeders at McMahon Stadium, looking to extend their winning streak and inch closer to hosting a playoff game for the first time in over a decade.

Edmonton enters at 8-3, controlling the CFL's best turnover margin at plus-14 with 33 forced turnovers this season. That defensive discipline has translated to 103 points off turnovers — the difference between winning and losing close games. Calgary, at 5-6 and in the West Division basement, has forced 26 turnovers and sits at plus-11. Edmonton's defence allows just 25.4 points per game, the lowest in the league.

Calgary's offence remains dangerous: the Stampeders average 36.9 points per game, league-leading, and running back Dedrick Mills needs 126 yards for a second consecutive 1,000-yard season. Mills scored the winning touchdown in Calgary's 28-23 upset over Hamilton last week on a 49-yard run with 29 seconds left. Calgary starter Vernon Adams Jr., who sustained a head injury on Aug. 13, practised this week and has been cleared to play.

Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo has the Elks' formula locked. "Our defence is taking the ball away and our offence is capitalizing scoring points — which is the difference in a lot of games," Fajardo said. "We know in this league, and I've been in this league long enough, if you win the turnover battle, you have a chance to win."

Edmonton is coming off a bye week and has won its last two contests against Toronto and Winnipeg. A victory Monday would keep Edmonton ahead of Saskatchewan in the West Division race and move the team closer to securing home-field advantage in the postseason.