Ticats set to open crucial stretch tonight against Als on TSN

This marks a very important stretch for Dane Evans and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Hamilton (1-5) will play six straight games, and seven of its next eight, against East Division competition, starting Thursday night at home versus the Montreal Alouettes (2-4). The Ticats will face archrival Toronto four times over that span with the other three being against the Als.

Catch the opener for Week 8 in the CFL LIVE on TSN1/3/4, TSN.ca and the TSN App Thursday night at 7:30pm et/4:30 pm pt.

The abundance of East Division games is important ,given Hamilton is third in the conference standings, just two points behind second-place Montreal and four behind leading Toronto (3-2). But the Ticats are also just two points ahead of last-place Ottawa (0-6).

The way things are shaping up, East Division teams will have to finish either first or second to secure playoff spots. Currently, the Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-3, fourth in West) have more wins than Toronto.

It's been a tough start for Evans. Although the Ticats starter is second in CFL passing with 1,720 yards, just four behind Winnipeg's Zach Collaros, Evans has more interceptions (nine) than touchdowns (eight).

Evans has also fumbled six times, losing five.

Offensively, Hamilton is ranked eighth in offensive points (18.2 per game), offensive TDs (nine) and time of possession (28 minutes, 44 seconds) and last in turnover ratio (minus-13). The Ticats have also committed a league-high 25 turnovers.

Hamilton is coming off a 17-12 road loss to the B.C. Lions despite accumulating 414 offensive yards and holding the ball for over 31 minutes. Evans finished 26-of-38 passing for 297 yards and a TD and an interception.

Hamilton leads the CFL in most two-and-outs (40) but has also forced a