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The BC Lions wondered what life would be like without Vernon Adams Jr. It turns out it’s the same as life with Adams – at least the Adams of the last few games.

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With Jake Dolegala replacing their injured presumed MOP candidate, the offensively weak Lions lost their third consecutive game at Commonwealth Stadium on Sunday night, losing to the Edmonton Elks 33-16.

For the Lions, it is a confusing descent into misfortune.

The Elks had one win before the game. Before last week’s loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Blue and Gold had just two wins. Before the loss in Calgary that started their relegation, the Stampeders had just two wins.

Before this series, the Lions were 5-1 and looked like Grey Cup contenders. Now they have to look to Calgary (4-5) and Winnipeg (3-6), and then up to the Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-3-1).

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Adams was in top form before his appearance with the Stamps and was on pace for a 6,000-yard season. But he managed just 192 yards and two interceptions in Calgary and had no answer for the Bombers. He managed just 74 yards before leaving the field with a knee injury late in the game in Winnipeg.

Now he’s living week to week, with no set timetable for his return. Dolegala, who had two 400-yard games with the Roughriders last season, made his first start of 2024 on Sunday night. His total: 146 yards on 14 of 23 passing.

No touchdowns and no interceptions. Chase Brice came in late and went 4 of 4 for 41 yards.

The Lions had a net offensive boost of 271 yards, but gave up 456 yards to Edmonton, which has now won two games in a row.

BC started with a run-heavy game plan and relied on running back William Stanback to help Dolegala get into the game. The former Montreal Alouette managed 87 yards on 13 carries.

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But it was Edmonton’s running game that did the most damage, with Jevon Leake (21/97) and Justin Rankin (7/77) combining for 200 yards. Tre Ford started the game for the Elks and completed 6 of 6 passes for 96 yards before BC’s Sione Teuhema ejected him from the game just before halftime.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson threw 14 of 18 passes for 171 yards, one touchdown and one interception as a relief pitcher.

Now the Lions face a difficult test to stop the bleeding: next Sunday at home against the Blue Bombers at BC Place.

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