OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks have struggled at TD Place this season and have little time to turn things around before the playoffs.

With a victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Friday night, the Redblacks (7-7-1) can clinch first place in the East for the second straight year and a bye to the division championship game, which they would host.

You can watch the game live across the TSN Network at 7pm et/4pm pt.

However the Redblacks are a disappointing 2-4-1 at home this season and play two of their last three games in Ottawa.

"To be able to go out here and get this big win here at home would truly be a big momentum swing for us as far as us getting over that hurdle and doing the things you're supposed to do when you have home-field advantage," said quarterback Henry Burris.

Once again Burris will be in charge after leading the Redblacks to a hard-fought 30-29 victory over the Tiger-Cats (6-9-0) last week.

After missing part of the season due to a hand injury and then struggling in his return and losing the starting job to Trevor Harris the 41-year-old Burris is eager to prove he can still get the job done and return to the form that made him the league's Most Outstanding Player last season.

Burris, who was 27-for-39 for 393 yards and one touchdown last week, has looked solid since returning to the lineup two-weeks ago. While he wouldn't have planned for the adversity of this season, it may actually provide an advantage for Burris and the Redblacks.

"The rest — that's the silver lining of the whole situation," Burris said. "Yeah, I was upset and wanted to be out there playing, but my wife Nicole said your body is good, you're not as stressed out and you get to spend more time with your family. Now my body feels good. Now it's all about doing the little things to try and help this team win a championship."

The Tiger-Cats will have a big hole to fill Friday night as they will be without star receiver/kick-returner Brandon Banks, who was suspended for two games Wednesday for violating the CFL's drug policy.

Banks has 29 catches for 355 yards and four touchdowns this season and the Redblacks know his absence could play a factor in the game.

"I think this will help our special teams out a lot as far as limiting returns," said defensive back Jerrell Gavins. "Limiting that part of the game helps us and could be a positive."

Playing teams back-to-back always provides a unique opportunity as both are a little more familiar with one another, but with so much on the line the Redblacks say they just want to focus on the task ahead.

"Coach says sometimes we think about winning instead of just taking it play-by-play," Gavins said. "I think the biggest thing is just taking it one play at a time, keeping it simple and enjoying yourself."

Brad Sinopoli is just 32 yards shy of hitting the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season and giving the Redblacks four receivers to achieve the feat. In addition to Sinopoli, Chris Williams, Greg Ellingson and Ernest Jackson have already surpassed the 1,000-yard mark.

Most impressive is the fact that Jackson, with 72 receptions for 1,024 yards, has yet to drop a pass this season.

"It's part of my job to catch the ball," said Jackson with a laugh. "That's what I emphasize on and as you can see it's been helpful for me."

Notes: Lineup changes for the Redblacks include K Ray Early going in for Zack Medeiros this week.