Xs and Argos Podcast

Hosts Ben Grant and JB take you through the Toronto Argonauts season with previews, postgame reactions, chalk talk, the occasional therapy session, and complete coverage of everything Double Blue.

Postgame Reaction – Argonauts 33, Stampeders 30 08/07/2026

Postgame Reaction – Argonauts 33, Stampeders 30 Home sweet home. After seven straight games on the road, the Toronto Argonauts finally returned to BMO Field and somehow found a way to pull out a wild 33-30 victory over the Calgary Stampeders. It certainly wasn't easy. On a night when the Argos' offence seemed determined to give the game away, Toronto's defence delivered its most complete performance of the season. The Double Blue held Calgary to under 250 yards of total offence, intercepted Vernon Adams Jr. twice - his first two interceptions of the season - and didn't allow him to throw a single touchdown pass. Those turnovers were especially important because Toronto was having problems of its own. Chad Kelly threw four interceptions as the Argos lost the turnover battle 5-3, yet a special teams touchdown and an outstanding defensive effort kept them within striking distance all night. And then, when they absolutely had to have it, the offence finally came alive. Trailing late in the fourth quarter, Toronto battled back, Sam Hicks ripped off a huge 40-yard touchdown run, and rookie kicker Brady Lidster gave the Argos the lead before Benji Franklin's interception slammed the door on Calgary. Ben Grant and JB break down one of the strangest and gutsiest wins of the season. How did the Argos survive five turnovers? What changed defensively after Calgary put up 58 points in their first meeting? And what can we take away from an offence that struggled badly for much of the night but still produced when the game was on the line? Plus, the guys discuss the other star of Toronto's long-awaited home opener: the new and improved BMO Field. From the pristine grass surface to the upgraded lights, sound system and video boards - and the brand-new North Pavilion boxes enjoyed by several Home Suite Home winners - the World Cup renovations have transformed the Argos' home. After two months away, the Argos are finally back at BMO. And they're back at .500. /episode/index/show/xsandargos/id/42352820

Pregame Walkthrough – Week 9: Home Opener vs. Calgary 08/05/2026

Pregame Walkthrough – Week 9: Home Opener vs. Calgary After seven straight games on the road, the Toronto Argonauts are finally coming home. Ben Grant and JB get you set for Toronto's long-awaited home opener as the Double Blue welcome the Calgary Stampeders to a newly renovated BMO Field. Is this the game that marks the true beginning of the Argos' season? The guys explain why Thursday night feels like one of the biggest turning points of the year. This week's show begins with the latest roster news, including Toronto's trade for veteran centre Chris Kolankowski as the Argos continue to improve their roster as opportunities arise. Ben and JB also discuss linebacker James Neal joining the active roster and what the latest moves say about where this team is heading. One of the most fascinating conversations of the episode centers around a newly published peer-reviewed study examining travel in the CFL. The research found that teams travelling west for evening games consistently perform worse than those travelling east, raising an intriguing question: just how impressive was Toronto's 3-4 start after opening the season with seven consecutive road games? Ben breaks down the study and why it could change the way we think about scheduling in the CFL. Also on this week's episode: Home Suite Home, as the final winners are announced Pick Six, featuring a discussion on whether the Argos should be expected to play better now that they're finally home A full game preview of Thursday night's matchup with Calgary The latest injury report An in-depth Xs-and-Os breakdown of how each team can attack the other One Thing, Put Me Down for 20, and Challenge Flag Will the energy of the home crowd provide the spark the Argos have been waiting for? Can Chad Kelly and the offence keep Calgary's dangerous pass rush at bay? And after spending nearly two months living out of suitcases, are the Double Blue finally ready to show what this team is really capable of? Ben Grant and JB break it all down on this week's Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough. /episode/index/show/xsandargos/id/42321260

Bye Week Podcast - Midseason Report Cards and Second-Half Outlook 07/29/2026

Postgame Reaction – Argonauts 26, Lions 12 07/26/2026

Postgame Reaction – Argonauts 26, Lions 12 The Toronto Argonauts couldn't have picked a better time to put together their most complete performance of the season. Facing what Ben Grant called a must-win game, the Double Blue delivered in all three phases, defeating the BC Lions 26-12 to head into the bye week with momentum and finally bring their marathon road trip to an end. The victory wasn't without its concerns. Chad Kelly was outstanding before leaving in the second quarter with what appeared to be a neck injury. Before exiting, he had the offence operating at an elite level, and while his status will be the biggest storyline over the bye week, Nick Arbuckle stepped in and guided the offence efficiently the rest of the way. He even showed off a little mobility, making several timely plays with his legs in a performance that helped secure the win. Defensively, the Argos were relentless. Toronto recorded four sacks - including two from newly signed veteran Shawn Lemon - and came within inches of several interceptions while consistently frustrating the Lions' offence. Special teams were equally impressive, as James Burnip continued his outstanding play with a 52.4-yard punting average, rookie Brady Lidster connected on four of his five field-goal attempts, and Janarion Grant repeatedly flipped field position with nearly 20 yards per punt return, including three explosive returns. Ben Grant and JB break down Toronto's most complete effort of 2026, discuss the impact of Shawn Lemon's return, hand out their Players of the Game and Plays of the Game, and bring you radio highlights from TSN 1050 with Mike Hogan. They'll also examine the injury concerns surrounding Chad Kelly, linebacker Owen Goss, and cornerback Benji Franklin, and what those injuries could mean as the Argos head into a much-needed bye week. Toronto now returns home at 3-4 with confidence, momentum, and a chance to reset before welcoming the Calgary Stampeders to BMO Field on August 6. The road trip is finally over—and the Argos may have found their identity just in time. /episode/index/show/xsandargos/id/42215275

Pregame Walkthrough – Week 8: Argos at Lions 07/22/2026

Pregame Walkthrough – Week 8: Argos at Lions The Toronto Argonauts have reached a crossroads. After nearly two months on the road, the Double Blue head to Vancouver for what might be the most important game of the season. A win over the BC Lions sends Toronto into its bye week with momentum and in a good position in the standings before finally returning home. A loss would mean three straight defeats to backup quarterbacks and plenty of questions heading into the second half of the season. This week, Ben Grant and JB break down Toronto's latest roster moves, including the return of two familiar faces. Veteran pass-rusher Shawn Lemon is back for a third stint with the Argonauts, bringing 103 career sacks and three Grey Cup rings to a defensive line in need of reinforcements. DeWayne Hendrix also returns just one week after being released, as Toronto continues to shuffle its roster amid a growing list of injuries. The guys also congratulate Jack Cassar on being selected for induction into the Carleton Ravens Hall of Fame, recognizing one of the most accomplished defensive careers in program history and the outstanding CFL career he's continued to build with the Argonauts. Also on this week's episode: Home Suite Home, with another chance to win box tickets to Toronto's home opener Pick Six, featuring a listener question about what's changed with the Argos' defence over the past three weeks The latest injury report as Toronto limps toward a much-needed bye week A full game preview and detailed Xs-and-Os breakdown of Argonauts vs. Lions One Thing, Put Me Down for 20, and Challenge Flag Can the Argos finally put together a complete performance? Will Chad Kelly and the offence find the right balance against one of the CFL's best defensive fronts? And can Toronto avoid a third straight loss to a backup quarterback? Ben and JB break it all down as the Argonauts prepare for what could be the defining game of their season. /episode/index/show/xsandargos/id/42186380

Postgame Reaction – Tiger-Cats 24, Argonauts 23 07/19/2026

Postgame Reaction – Tiger-Cats 24, Argonauts 23 The Toronto Argonauts suffered a heartbreaking 24-23 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday night, and while the lasting image will be Lirim Hajrullahu's missed 31-yard field goal as time expired, Ben Grant and JB explain why the game was lost long before the final kick. Yes, Hajrullahu missed the game-winning field goal. Yes, he also missed an extra point earlier in the contest. But football is the ultimate team game, and this defeat belonged to all three phases. On offence, the CFL's highest-scoring unit got off to a dream start, marching down the field for a touchdown on its opening possession. From there, however, Toronto managed just three points over the next three quarters before mounting a furious fourth-quarter comeback that ultimately came up one point short. Chad Kelly finished with over 320 passing yards, but the Argos simply waited too long to find their rhythm. Defensively, the numbers tell one story, but the film tells another. Holding Hamilton to 24 points should be enough to win most nights, but the Tiger-Cats did all of their scoring through the first three quarters. By the fourth, Hamilton was without both starting offensive tackles and had a fullback playing guard on an all-Canadian offensive line. The Argos finally took control defensively, but earlier in the game they struggled to contain Tre Ford, repeatedly taking poor pursuit angles and allowing him to escape what should have been drive-ending sacks. On this week's Postgame Reaction, Ben and JB dig into every turning point, every missed opportunity, and why it's far too simplistic to pin the loss on one player or one kick. They also highlight the bright spots, including the resilience Toronto showed in battling back to give itself a chance in the final seconds. The easy takeaway is that one missed field goal cost Toronto the game. The correct takeaway is that a collection of mistakes over four quarters left the Argos badly needing that kick. Ben Grant and JB break it all down on this week's Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction. /episode/index/show/xsandargos/id/42140980