Stampeders in Week 13: Red and White look to turn bye-week reset into a second-half surge

Dave Dickenson believes his Calgary Stampeders still have a chance to lift the Grey Cup on home turf in 2026.

Yes … the Canadian Football League legend is choosing to stay positive in the face of what’s been a roller-coaster campaign.

Because with more downs than ups during what’s become a 4-6 season, there are more questions than answers surrounding a squad that hopes to defend McMahon Stadium in the CFL championship finale come November.

“We were on a nine-game stretch with some road trips that kind of, I think, certainly took some energy out of us,” said Dickenson, when asked if last week’s bye came at the right time, on the heels of the Week 11 30-26 heartbreaking home loss to the BC Lions.

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“I do think if we can get going and get on the right track, I think this year is certainly a chance for this team to really be special,” continued the Stampeders GM/head coach. “Let’s try to get momentum and find a way to make an impact to win a Cup.”

And there are certainly questions heading into Saturday’s game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at McMahon Stadium (1 p.m., TSN, QR Calgary 770 AM).

Not just how they can help themselves out of this two-loss, two-win dance that has left them in last spot of the CFL’s West Division.

The most pressing concerns revolve around the health of two of Calgary’s most important offensive pieces.

Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. and running back Dedrick Mills both suffered head injuries in the late stages of the loss to B.C., leaving the Stamps to spend their bye-week trying to get their offensive engine back together.

“Mills certainly (has practised) full,” confirmed Dickenson. “And then V.A. … we certainly are still kind of making sure that we’re OK to get him back. Both, I think, are trending positively. Mills just seems to bounce back just a little bit quicker (than Adams).”

Mills’ importance hardly needs explaining. The 2025 rushing champion entered Week 13 with 756 yards on 129 carries, an average of 5.9 yards per rush, putting him second in the CFL rushing race and still within striking distance of Winnipeg Blue Bombers superstar Brady Oliveira on 850.

Adams, meanwhile, has been at the centre of the Calgary crew’s most explosive offensive moments.