Perry previews and picks the winners in what promises to be an exciting Sunday of CFL action.
Now that the regular season is over, it is time to focus on the playoffs.
Hamilton versus B.C. in the East - the Lions crossing over from the West - and Edmonton and Calgary.
Here's a preview of both games and the projected winners courtesy of Perry's Peerless Prognostication.
Sunday 1 p.m.
B.C. (8-10) versus Hamilton (9-9): The big issue coming into this one is the status of the Lions' quarterbacking, specifically Casey Printers. He injured the thumb on his throwing hand early in the last game and did not return. Supposedly it was only a sprain and he is healthy enough to play. Behind him in the depth chart are Travis Lulay, the third-stringer at one time, and Jarious Jackson, who began the season as the starter. Both are returning from injuries. Printers joined the team in September and became the fifth starter with three games left in the season. He played unbelievably well in the first two games, moving the pocket and making some incredible plays. It was reminiscent of his 2004 when he was voted the Most Outstanding Player in the league. Supposedly, he is not bothered by the injury, but expect the Ticats to go after him early with pressure to try and rough him up. The Lions will counteract with either the strong run game from rookie Martell Mallett or some quick passes to beat the blitz. The issue in this aside from Printers' status is the Lions' offensive line. It lost centre Angus Reid for the last two games of the season, replaced by Dean Valli. If Printers can escape the pressure and get the ball to his key receivers - and he did that in the two full games he played - the Lions have a chance. Defensively, the Lions are beat up. The defensive line has been hobbled by injuries and lost another starter this week. Teams have used the run game to neutralize the Lions. Hamilton has confidence having won its last three. Quarterback Kevin Glenn has been the difference. It is apparent the Ticats are much more confident with him and he has been able to spread the ball. Running back DeAndre' Cobb gives the Cats balance. Defensively, the Cats have one of the best linebacking corps in the league, and you know Otis Floyd will be pumped facing his former team. The big intangible in this is the hometown crowd, which gives the Cats a major advantage - presuming Hamilton can grab the lead early or keep the game close. This promises to be a real Cat fight.
Randall The Handle favours Hamilton by 1½.
And the winner is: Hamilton to cover.
Sunday 4 p.m.
Edmonton at Calgary: Edmonton had a record of 4-6 in their final 10 games and two of the wins came against Toronto. In their last game, the Eskimos walloped the Lions, who finished off the game with their third-string quarterback. If you believe the Eskimos would have played equally as well facing the Lions' top two quarterbacks, well, that means you believe a win is possible. Eskimos have been a disappointment for most of the season in the passing game. Ricky Ray hasn't been able to find any consistency with his receivers aside from Fred Stamps. Arkee Whitlock has given the Eskimos the feature running back they've lacked in recent years. The Eskimos lost three of four games against Calgary this year and squeaked out a miracle win in their lone victory. You could point to the back-to-back losses on Labour Day and the rematch against Calgary that began the Eskimos' second-half slide. In two games in Calgary, Edmonton scored only 15 points and surrendered 62. Edmonton's back end has been under construction the whole season, so that will be tested. The Eskimos desperately need their return game to provide a spark. For Calgary, this is a matter of which team shows up. The Stamps have been inconsistent the whole season, and were absolutely throttled in the last game of the season against Saskatchewan. There is no question the Stamps can try to win the game at the line of scrimmage by pounding the ball with running back Joffrey Reynolds, who led the league in rushing and had 100-plus yards in three of the last four games. But Calgary is more of a finesse team with quarterback Henry Burris and his receiving corps. Expect Henry Burris to go with a playaction pass early in the game and try to stretch the field with speedy Romby Bryant. If that happens, Calgary can then work the ball to receivers Jeremaine Copeland and Nik Lewis, both of whom have struggled to score touchdowns. The Stamps aren't nearly as dominating this time as they were a year ago, but Edmonton is hardly a powerhouse.
The Handle has Calgary by seven.
And the winner is: Calgary to cover.
