Xs and Argos Podcast

Ben Grant and JB
  • 4.8 (43)
  • Football
  • Updated Semiweekly

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.

  1. 5d ago

    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.

  2. Aug 5

    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.

  3. Jul 29

    Bye Week Podcast - Midseason Report Cards and Second-Half Outlook

    The Argos have finally reached their second bye week, bringing an end to an unprecedented seven-game road trip to open the 2026 season. With Toronto sitting at 3-4, Ben Grant and JB take a step back to evaluate where the team stands, what they've accomplished, and what needs to improve as the stretch drive begins. The guys revisit each game from the opening half of the season - from the frustrating missed opportunities in Montreal and Hamilton to statement wins over Ottawa, Saskatchewan, and BC - and discuss why the Argos may be in a better position than their record suggests. With six of the final eleven games at home, Ben and JB explain why a strong second half should put Toronto in position to host a playoff game. The centerpiece of this week's episode is the Xs and Argos Midseason Report Card. Every positional group receives a grade as the guys evaluate what's gone right, what's gone wrong, and which units need to improve down the stretch. Also on this week's episode: Home Suite Home, with one final opportunity to win box tickets to Toronto's home opener Ben and JB's True CFL Power Rankings Pick Six, featuring the question: Which player on another CFL roster would make the biggest difference if he were an Argo? Put Me Down for 20 Challenge Flag The road trip is finally behind them. Now comes the opportunity. Ben Grant and JB break down why the Argos still have a legitimate path to finishing near the top of the East Division, and what they'll have to do over the final 11 games to get there.

  4. Jul 26

    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.

  5. Jul 22

    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.

  6. Jul 19

    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.

  7. Jul 15

    Pregame Walkthrough – Week 7: Argos vs. Tiger-Cats

    After five straight games away from BMO Field, the Toronto Argonauts finally get something close to a home game as they head to Hamilton to face the Tiger-Cats in a pivotal East Division showdown. Ben Grant and JB get you set for a matchup that feels like a must-win for both clubs. This week, the guys break down a busy stretch of transactions, including Toronto's release of defensive tackle Dewayne Hendrix and offensive lineman Anim Dankwah, a trade for a former All-SEC player for Alabama, and the signing of standout Windsor kicker Brady Lidster. The conversation then turns to Chad Kelly, whose candid comments about Toronto's unprecedented road-heavy start to the season made headlines well beyond the CFL. Ben and JB discuss whether Kelly's frustrations are justified, how much the constant travel has affected the Argos, and why finally getting closer to home could make a difference over the second half of the season. Also on this week's episode: Home Suite Home, with another chance to win box tickets to Toronto's home opener Another surprise visit to practice from a former Argo Pick Six, featuring a listener question about the Hamilton seating controversy Injury Report OCDC One Thing Put Me Down for 20 Challenge Flag With Bo Levi Mitchell sidelined, the Tiger-Cats enter the week searching for answers at quarterback, while Toronto has an opportunity to get back above .500. It's another packed edition of the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough, getting you ready for one of the biggest games of Toronto's season so far.

  8. Jul 11

    Postgame Reaction – Blue Bombers 30, Argonauts 21

    The Toronto Argonauts left Winnipeg feeling like they let one get away. Despite holding Brady Oliveira to just 64 total yards, forcing two turnovers, and limiting the Blue Bombers to a single offensive touchdown, the Argos fell 30-21 in a game where mistakes in all three phases ultimately proved too much to overcome. Ben Grant and JB break down a frustrating night at Princess Auto Stadium, where Chad Kelly turned in another strong performance and Makai Polk continued his emergence as one of the CFL's most dangerous receivers. But while the passing game generated big plays, the offensive line struggled to consistently handle Winnipeg's four-man rush, and after Sam Hicks burst through for a 26-yard run on Toronto's opening drive, the Argos managed just four rushing yards from him the rest of the night. The turning point came on special teams. Trailing by one score in the fourth quarter, Toronto missed a 40-yard field goal that was returned 129 yards by Trey Vaval for a touchdown - a devastating 10-point swing in a game ultimately decided by nine. Combined with other special teams miscues throughout the evening, it was the difference between flying home with a statement road win and leaving Winnipeg empty-handed. On this week's Postgame Reaction, Ben and JB examine the game through all three phases, discuss the early tackling issues on defence, why the unit still deserves plenty of credit for its overall performance, and where the offence and special teams must improve heading into next week's game against Hamilton.

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4.8
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Grant and JB
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Xs and Argos 2019
  • Show Website
    Xs and Argos Podcast