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.

Pregame Walkthrough — Elks at Argonauts 09/17/2026

Postgame Reaction — Toronto 26, Ottawa 23 09/12/2026

Postgame Reaction — Toronto 26, Ottawa 23 The Argos won. Somehow, they also made it far more interesting than it ever needed to be. Toronto moved the football almost at will against the Ottawa Redblacks, piling up first downs and consistently driving into scoring territory. Chad Kelly threw for 443 yards, the Argos produced 31 first downs, and the offence converted 16 of 24 second downs. For most of the afternoon, moving the ball wasn't the problem. Finishing drives was. Kelly was excellent between the 20s, completing 35 of 42 passes with two touchdowns, but both of his interceptions came in the red zone. Those missed opportunities allowed an Ottawa team that Toronto largely controlled to hang around, turning what could have been a comfortable victory into a game that came down to the final second. There were plenty of individual performances to like. Dave Ungerer III exploded for 175 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Tyler Kahmann went over 100 yards and Kevin Mital caught nine passes. Isaiah Smith also continued to give Toronto balance on the ground, rushing 15 times for 84 yards. Defensively, the Argos did their part. Ottawa was held to just 17 first downs, and Toronto's defence repeatedly kept the Redblacks from turning the Argos' offensive mistakes into control of the football game. Ottawa hung around, but it never felt as though Toronto was being outplayed. And then things got very strange down the stretch. Toronto had an opportunity to win the game in regulation, but some questionable clock and game management nearly resulted in the Argos running out of time altogether. Fortunately, the officials put one second back on the clock, giving Lirim Hajrullahu one final opportunity. And Lirim delivered. A week after his perfect return in the Labour Day Classic, Hajrullahu drilled the 29-yard field goal at 0:00 to give Toronto a 26-23 victory. So how do you evaluate this one? The Argos were clearly the better team. The defence played well. The offence moved up and down the field. Kelly threw for more than 400 yards. But red-zone turnovers and some late-game management questions turned what should have been a relatively straightforward afternoon into a last-second escape. Still, a win is a win. The Argos have now won back-to-back games, improve to 7-6, and continue to strengthen their position in the East. Ben Grant and JB break down the good, the frustrating and a very strange final minute on the latest Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction. /episode/index/show/xsandargos/id/42885400

Pregame Walkthrough — Redblacks at Argos 09/10/2026

Pregame Walkthrough — Redblacks at Argos It’s perhaps the definition of a trap game, for those who believe in such things. Fresh off a convincing Labour Day victory in Hamilton, the 6-6 Toronto Argonauts are back at BMO Field on a short week to face a very well-rested Ottawa Redblacks team with nothing to lose. Ben Grant and JB get you set for Toronto’s third home game of the season on this week’s Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough. The guys start with the latest transaction involving Jordan Herdman-Reed before taking a look at the bigger picture in the East Division. With six games remaining, it’s time to start talking Magic Numbers. What does Toronto need to do to secure a playoff berth, and where do the Argos stand in the race to host the East Semi-Final? With Ryan Dinwiddie returning to BMO Field, how different is he from Mike Miller as a head coach and offensive mind? Ben and JB discuss two coaches who actually have plenty in common, but also some fascinating differences. Then it’s on to a game Toronto absolutely cannot afford to overlook. Ottawa comes in rested, motivated and with players fighting for their futures. Dinwiddie would undoubtedly love to beat his former team, and the Redblacks have nothing to lose. Meanwhile, Toronto is coming off an emotional Labour Day victory and has had little time to recover and prepare. The message to the Argos: bring everything you have. In OCDC, Ben looks at how Ottawa can attack Toronto by turning the game into a physical battle for the Argos’ linebackers. For the Argos, the plan starts with something that worked extremely well against Hamilton: Kevin Mital as part of the protection scheme. But this time, Toronto can use that tendency against Ottawa by showing the same protection looks and leaking Mital into routes. And against a Redblacks defence allowing more than 130 rushing yards per game, there’s no reason to abandon the ground game either. Plus, the Injury Report, One Thing, Put Me Down for 20, and Challenge Flag. Toronto has fought its way back to .500 and taken control of second place in the East. Now comes a different challenge: beating a team everyone expects you to beat. It’s Ottawa at Toronto, Ryan Dinwiddie is back at BMO Field, and we’ve got you covered on the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough. /episode/index/show/xsandargos/id/42865805

Postgame Reaction — Toronto 37, Hamilton 22 09/07/2026

Postgame Reaction — Toronto 37, Hamilton 22 Now that is how you respond. One week after a frustrating loss in Saskatchewan, the Toronto Argonauts went into Hamilton for the Labour Day Classic, outplayed the Tiger-Cats and came away with a convincing 37-22 victory in one of their most important games of the season. Ben Grant and JB break down a true full-team win on the latest Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction. Defensively, the challenge started with Tre Ford. Toronto did an excellent job containing one of the CFL’s most dangerous athletes in the first half, preventing Ford from taking over the game with his legs and forcing Hamilton to find other ways to move the football. The defence bent at times after halftime, but the outcome never really felt in doubt. Offensively, Chad Kelly was dealing, but some of the biggest plays of the afternoon belonged to his receivers. Damonte Coxie, Jake Herslow, and Dave Ungerer III each found the end zone, and all three touchdowns were impressive physical plays in their own way. Toronto’s receivers repeatedly put their bodies on the line to finish catches, turning accurate throws from Kelly into some of the defining moments of the game. And then there was Lirim Hajrullahu. Five games after missing a game-winning field goal in Hamilton and subsequently landing on the injured list, Lirim returned to the scene of the crime and looked every bit like the veteran professional Toronto has come to trust. He was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals and 4-for-4 on converts, including a booming 52-yarder. There was no late-game heartbreak this time. The offence made plays. The defence did its job. Special teams delivered. And after letting a very winnable game get away in Saskatchewan, the Argos responded with one of their most complete performances of the season when they needed it most. Toronto is back to .500 at 6-6, has won the season series against Hamilton and has put itself firmly in control of second place in the East. It’s Argos 37, Ticats 22 in the Labour Day Classic, and Ben and JB break it all down on the Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction. /episode/index/show/xsandargos/id/42816860

Pregame Walkthrough — Labour Day Classic: Argos at Tiger-Cats 09/04/2026

Pregame Walkthrough — Labour Day Classic: Argos at Tiger-Cats Labour Day! The 5-6 Toronto Argonauts head down the QEW for the annual Labour Day Classic against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and this year’s edition could have enormous implications for the East Division playoff race. Ben Grant and JB get you set for one of the biggest games on the CFL calendar on this week’s Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough. The guys start with a surprising transaction: Toronto has released rookie kicker Brady Lidster, who handled the kicking duties for the past five games while Lirim Hajrullahu recovered from a hamstring injury. With Lidster gone and no other active kicker on the roster, is a familiar face about to return? There’s also some off-field CFL news to dig into. The league has launched its new website, and Ben and JB discuss the early returns before turning their attention to the CFL’s upcoming field-dimension changes. USPORTS and Football Canada won’t be adopting the new dimensions in 2027, creating some logistical questions for teams that share facilities with university programs. This week’s Pick Six asks a question that takes us back to the days of Condredge Holloway and Joe Barnes: whatever happened to quarterback tandems? If Chad Kelly is struggling, why not give Nick Arbuckle a series or two? Ben and JB examine why modern offences have largely moved away from rotating quarterbacks and whether there are situations where it could still make sense. Then it’s time for the Labour Day Classic. The stakes are enormous. A Toronto victory would put the Argos four points ahead of Hamilton with a game in hand and secure the season-series tiebreaker, giving them a commanding advantage in the race for second place in the East. A loss would pull Hamilton level on points, hand the Ticats the tiebreaker and turn the final stretch of the season into a fight for playoff positioning. There’s also some potentially significant news in the Injury Report, as a big name makes his return to practice. In OCDC, Ben looks at how Hamilton could use both Tre Ford and Harrison Frost - even within the same drive - to take advantage of a Toronto defence that has been forced to prepare for two very different quarterbacks. For the Argos, the question is how they respond if Hamilton follows Saskatchewan’s second-half blueprint and leans heavily on man coverage. Ben wants Toronto to start with the running game, use stacks, bunches, reduced splits and motion to manufacture separation, and make Kevin Mital a central part of the plan. If Hamilton wants to turn its back to the football and challenge Toronto’s receivers to beat man coverage, the Argos need to make the Ticats regret it. Plus, One Thing, Put Me Down for 20, and Challenge Flag. It’s Argos-Ticats. It’s Labour Day. And for a Toronto team trying once again to get back to .500, this one could go a long way toward deciding where the East Final road runs through in November. We’ve got you covered on the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough. /episode/index/show/xsandargos/id/42780160

Postgame Reaction — Saskatchewan 28, Toronto 24 08/30/2026

Postgame Reaction — Saskatchewan 28, Toronto 24 In many ways, this might have been the Argos' worst loss of the season. Toronto went into Regina facing a Saskatchewan team ravaged by injuries, built a 22-12 halftime lead, and appeared to be in complete control. Instead, the Argos failed to score a single point on offence in the second half and watched another game slip away through a combination of missed opportunities, protection problems and costly mental mistakes, falling 28-24 to the Roughriders. Ben Grant and JB break down a frustrating night where the Argos should have put the game away long before Saskatchewan ever had an opportunity to come back. The first half is perhaps the most maddening part. Chad Kelly threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns before halftime, yet Toronto left an enormous number of points on the field. The Argos missed two converts, one of which Saskatchewan returned for two points, failed to connect on a wide-open touchdown, and somehow allowed the Riders to drive into field-goal range in the dying seconds of the half. A 22-12 lead could very easily have been 31-7. Then the offence disappeared. Toronto finished the entire game with just 15 rushing yards, repeatedly found itself in second-and-long, and once again struggled to keep Kelly clean. The quarterback finished with 416 yards and three touchdowns, but Saskatchewan's pass rush increasingly took over as the game progressed and the Argos couldn't put together a scoring drive in the second half. The defence, meanwhile, did enough to give Toronto an opportunity to win. The Argos held Saskatchewan to 28 points despite the offence's second-half struggles, produced a late safety to go up three, and had the Riders settling for a field goal from the four-yard line with just over three minutes remaining. And then came perhaps the most painful mistake of the night. An inexcusable offside penalty on the chip-shot field-goal attempt gave Saskatchewan a fresh set of downs. One play later, Tommy Stevens was in the end zone, turning what should have been a tie game into the touchdown that ultimately put Toronto away. This wasn't a game where the Argos were simply beaten by a better football team. They had opportunities to take control, opportunities to put Saskatchewan away, and an opportunity to get the ball back late with a chance to win. They wasted all of them. Ben and JB break down the missed opportunities, the complete absence of a running game, Toronto's recurring pass-protection problems, the second-half offensive collapse, and the mental mistakes that continue to turn winnable games into losses. The Argos are back below .500 at 5-6. And after eleven games, the question is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid: when do these stop being isolated mistakes and simply become who this team is? /episode/index/show/xsandargos/id/42606340

Pregame Walkthrough — Argos at Roughriders 08/27/2026

Pregame Walkthrough — Argos at Roughriders This very quickly became a quarterback-themed episode. The 5-5 Toronto Argonauts head back on the road looking to climb above .500 again as they take on a Saskatchewan Roughriders team that has dropped two straight. Ben Grant and JB get you set for the first half of Toronto’s two-game road trip on this week’s Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough. The guys start with the latest transactions, including the release of defensive back Anthony Wilson and the addition of an intriguing new quarterback. Paxton DeLaurent arrives in Toronto after a monster season in the Indoor Football League, where he threw 64 touchdown passes, completed more than 70 percent of his throws and was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. What does the former Southeast Missouri State star bring to the quarterback room and why sign him now? And speaking of quarterbacks... The people have spoken. Our inbox has been flooded with Chad Kelly contract extension questions over the past two weeks, and paranoia about Ottawa’s involvement, so we thought we’d take a look at some of the smoke. Kelly is scheduled to become a free agent following the season, while smoke continues to build around the possibility of a reunion with former Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie in Ottawa. There's nothing remotely concrete, but with the Redblacks' quarterback situation deteriorating and Kelly potentially able to hit the open market in February, should the Argos be trying to get ahead of this and extend their star quarterback ASAP? This week’s Pick Six keeps the quarterback theme going. How difficult is it for a QB to join a new CFL team in the middle of a season and actually play? Ben explains why learning the plays isn't necessarily the biggest obstacle, but learning an entirely new language is. Then it's on to Saskatchewan. The Riders are banged up and have lost two straight, while Toronto is coming off one of its best performances of the season against Hamilton. Chad Kelly is also 4-0 in his career against Saskatchewan. Can the Argos keep the momentum going and move above .500 for the first time since June? In OCDC, Ben looks at how Saskatchewan can protect an older, intelligent quarterback with an elite release by leaning on quick-game concepts and essentially replacing parts of the running game with short passes. For Toronto, the starting point is simple: don't forget what worked last week. Establish the running game again, then use Saskatchewan's response against them. Plus, the Injury Report, One Thing, Put Me Down for 20, and Challenge Flag. It’s Toronto at Saskatchewan, and we’ve got you covered on the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough. /episode/index/show/xsandargos/id/42570485

Postgame Reaction — Toronto 39, Hamilton 20 08/23/2026

Pregame Walkthrough — CNE Game: Tiger-Cats at Argonauts 08/19/2026

Pregame Walkthrough — CNE Game: Tiger-Cats at Argonauts It’s CNE Game in Toronto, and this one feels bigger than most. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats come to BMO Field for one of the marquee dates on the Argos calendar, and with Toronto and Hamilton battling for position in the East Division, there’s a lot more at stake than bragging rights. Ben Grant and JB get you set for a huge rivalry matchup on this week’s Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough. The guys start with the latest transactions, as a banged-up Argos roster adds a pair of Canadians in defensive lineman Gabriel Maisonneuve and defensive back Istvan Assibo-Dadzie. What might those additions tell us about Toronto’s injury situation heading into the weekend? Then it’s time to dig into two Xs-and-Os questions that could have a major impact on Saturday’s game. First: How does a defence prepare when it doesn’t know who the opposing quarterback will be - especially when the two possibilities couldn't be more different? Harrison Frost is a traditional pocket passer. Tre Ford is one of the most dangerous running quarterbacks in football. The guys explains why preparing for both isn't simply a matter of learning two players - it can be like preparing for two entirely teams. On the other side of the ball, Toronto has a problem of its own: pass protection. After the offensive line struggled again in Edmonton, what can the Argos do to protect Chad Kelly without simply asking the same five blockers to suddenly play better? Quick game, screens, moving pockets, chips, heavier protections, RPOs, tempo and formation can all help - because pass protection isn't exclusively an offensive-line problem. This week’s Pick Six continues that discussion with a bigger CFL question: is there a genuine shortage of quality offensive tackles in the league, or are teams failing to properly develop the ones they have? Then it’s on to the game itself. In OCDC, Ben looks at how Hamilton can take advantage of Tre Ford’s extraordinary athleticism without repeatedly exposing him to hits, and why sometimes the threat of the quarterback run can be more valuable than the run itself. For Toronto, it’s about making Hamilton process as much information as possible with motion, tempo and a variety of pre-snap looks. Plus, the Injury Report, One Thing, Put Me Down for 20, and Challenge Flag. And Saturday is about more than just the game. It’s the annual CNE Game, Argos jerseys are 40% off in-stadium, and franchise greats Kevin Eiben and Carl Brazley will officially become All-Time Argos during a halftime ceremony. The rivalry is renewed. The East Division race is heating up. And the Argos need an answer after an ugly afternoon in Edmonton. It’s Hamilton at Toronto at the CNE, and we’ve got you covered on the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough. /episode/index/show/xsandargos/id/42493275

Postgame Reaction — Edmonton 42, Toronto 12 08/15/2026

Postgame Reaction — Edmonton 42, Toronto 12 This was an ugly one. The Toronto Argonauts went into Edmonton looking to build some momentum after last week's dramatic home win over Calgary. Instead, they leave with perhaps their most concerning loss of the season, falling 42-12 to the Elks and dropping to 4-5. Ben Grant flies solo for this edition of the Postgame Reaction to break down a game where the final score doesn't necessarily tell you which unit struggled most. Believe it or not, Toronto's defence played pretty well. The Argos came in with an excellent plan for Justin Rankin, completely neutralizing one of Edmonton's biggest weapons for much of the afternoon. But after repeatedly being put back on the field by mistakes elsewhere, the defence eventually ran out of gas. The bigger concerns came on offence and special teams. Toronto turned the ball over six times, struggled to establish any kind of running game and had a series of costly drops - including one from sure-handed Damonte Coxie that turned into an Edmonton pick-six. Special teams contributed two missed field goals, a shanked punt, and a fumble on a kickoff return. But perhaps the most troubling development was up front. The Argos' offensive line struggled to protect Chad Kelly even when Edmonton rushed only three or four defenders. When a defence can consistently generate pressure without blitzing, it can drop eight or nine into coverage and make life extremely difficult for any quarterback. Ben breaks down why that's such a major concern going forward - and some of the schematic answers Toronto can use to combat it. There are also some coaching decisions to discuss, including a pair of questionable third-and-short calls, an unusual penalty decision late in the first half, a head-scratching challenge, and the decision to go for two following Kevin Mital's huge catch. And then there are the injuries. Jonathan Kongbo, Kevin Mital, DaShaun Amos, LP Gauthier, Bubba Bolden, and Dave Ungerer all required attention at various points, although most were able to return. There isn't much to celebrate after a 30-point loss, but there is plenty to break down. What went wrong? What can be fixed? And after reaching the halfway point of the season at 4-5, what should concern Argos fans most about this team going forward? It's all on this edition of the Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction. /episode/index/show/xsandargos/id/42448675

Pregame Walkthrough – Week 11: Argos at Edmonton 08/12/2026

Pregame Walkthrough – Week 11: Argos at Edmonton Fresh off a wild 33-30 victory over Calgary at BMO Field, the 4-4 Toronto Argonauts head west to take on the 6-3 Edmonton Elks in a rare Saturday mid-afternoon matchup. Ben Grant and JB get you set for a fascinating test against one of the CFL's best teams. This week, the guys start with the latest transactions as Toronto makes a couple of moves involving major NCAA programs, bringing former USC defensive back Akili Arnold back into the fold while moving on from former Florida State offensive lineman Darius Washington. Then it's time for a deep dive into late-game clock management. Toronto's final drive against Calgary ended with the win, but did the Argos leave the Stampeders far too much time? Ben breaks down the difference between Clock Preservation Mode and Last Possession Mode, explains when an offence should make the transition, and introduces his formula for determining how much time you should leave on the clock as you move into scoring territory. The guys also tackle one of the biggest questions surrounding the Argos through eight games. Chad Kelly's aggressive style has produced spectacular results, but also plenty of interceptions. This week's Pick Six asks whether Toronto should try to rein him in or accept the turnovers as the price of having one of the CFL's most dangerous quarterbacks. Then it's on to Edmonton. Ben and JB break down the matchup, including how the Argos can prevent Justin Rankin from taking over the game and how Edmonton can use its running backs to put Toronto's defence in conflict. On the other side of the ball, Ben explains why Toronto's receiving corps is perfectly suited for an option-based passing attack and why mesh could be the concept to watch on Saturday. Plus: The latest Injury Report OCDC One Thing Put Me Down for 20 Challenge Flag The Argos are back to .500 and sitting second in the East. Now comes another opportunity to show that the team that emerged from that brutal opening road trip is ready to make some noise in the second half of the season. It's Toronto and Edmonton, Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET, and the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough has everything you need to get ready. /episode/index/show/xsandargos/id/42412705

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