Reilly, defence help Eskimos edge Lions

Quarterback Mike Reilly and the Edmonton Eskimos stayed in the West Division playoff picture Friday after rallying to beat the BC Lions 27-23.

Edmonton (6-7), which has battled inconsistency all season, spotted BC (8-4) a two-touchdown lead before Reilly and league-leading receiver Adarius Bowman heated up in the second and third quarters. Edmonton also turned up the heat on the Lions' quarterback Jonathon Jennings, forcing him into a deflating fourth-quarter interception that allowed Edmonton to mount a time-consuming drive.

With five games left, the Eskimos are 2 1/2 games behind both BC and Winnipeg (8-4, at Calgary on Saturday). The Eskimos, who visit Winnipeg in Week 15, are also ahead of Toronto (5-8) for a crossover playoff berth in the East.

On the first play after a go-ahead field goal by Sean Whyte with 3:47 left, Jennings telegraphed a pass Edmonton linebacker Deon Lacey intercepted. Edmonton, through some tough inside running by Shakir Bell, was able to milk the clock down to 36 seconds before Whyte created some cushion with another field goal. Edmonton's kickoff team and defence prevented the Lions from making a game-saving play, with defensive back Brandyn Thompson also intercepting a Hail Mary pass in the end zone on the final play.

Reilly was 24-of-31 for 300 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and also scored on a 1-yard rush. Bowman had six receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown, bringing his CFL-leading total to 1,400 yards. Bell also had 23 rushes for 108 yards and one touchdown. Defensive tackle Almondo Sewell had his team-leading eighth sack. Whyte was 2-for-2 on field goals.

Jonathon Jennings was 16-of-28 for 278 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Veteran slotback Emmanuel Arceneaux had his biggest game of the season with seven receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns, but no other Lions receiver gained more than 35.

Kicker Richie Leone was 2-for-2 on field goals and also booted a 73-yard punt single. The Lions induced Edmonton to concede a safety in the third quarter after linebacker Adam Bighill sacked Reilly at the Eskimos' 1-yard line.

The opening 20 minutes belonged to Jennings and Arceneaux, who connected for back-to-back touchdowns. On a rollout pass by Jennings, Arceneaux got behind defensive back Garry Peters for a 26-yard score. On B.C.'s next possession, Arceneaux got behind defensive back Natey Adjei on a streak route for a 68-yard score. A two-point convert by Jeremiah Johnson opened a 14-0 lead.

Reilly responded a nine-play, 74-yard drive to pare BC's lead to a touchdown. Bowman sustained the drive with a 19-yard second-down catch.

Later in the quarter, the Lions let Edmonton off the hook on second-and-20 when Bowman blew by cornerback Brandon Stewart to haul in a bomb from Reilly for a 58-yard reception to the Lions' 3-yard line. Bell scored on the next play.

A near-identical nine-play, 77-yard drive at the start of the third quarter, capped by a 22-yard touchdown by Bowman, gave Edmonton their first lead.

The Lions took their third, and last, lead when Leone kicked an 18-yard field goal for a 23-21 edge with 7:44 left. Odell Willis sacked Jennings to derail the Lions drive.

Edmonton visits Winnipeg on Friday, while the Lions host Ottawa (6-5-1) on Oct. 1.