Peerless Playoff Picks

Peerless started out the post-season with a loss - hey, aside from Adriano Belli, did anyone pick the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to beat the Montreal Alouettes straight up or taking them as the 'dog and the points? - but recovered by picking the Edmonton Eskimos to cover as the spread against the Calgary Stampeders.

So now it's on to the division final, and, yes, the Ti-Cats are still in it. Give the Cats credit for a well-deserved win, and kudos to the Als for making a game of it.

If Peerless lost with his prediction, at least it was in a game to remember.

But as Cats' head coach Marcel Bellefeuille told the media earlier this week, we're not talking about the Alouetttes. That was last Sunday.

OK, we did talk a bit about them and will allow ourselves the luxury of mentioning it again.

And for the guy who sent me a note telling me not to pick the Cats' again, well, read on.

Hamilton (9-10) at Winnipeg (10-8)

So the Ti-Cats finished off the Als' run of two consecutive Grey Cup wins. Can they get to the Cup themselves, or will their Cup be half empty? The Cats played the game of their lives in Montreal, in perfect conditions under the closed roof of the Big O. Now they play in the bitter chill of Winnipeg (yes, the city is living up to its nickname, Winterpeg). It may be so cold, someone will have to keep the balls warm.

If Hamilton has any chance to succeed, it must buckle down on defence. You can score all the points in the world, but it doesn't matter if you can't defend properly.

Hamilton has been weak against the run and has been caught behind coverage in the back end. The best part of its defence is rush end Justin Hickman. He can make a huge difference if the opposition can't stop him. Stevie Baggs draws back into the lineup after being a ratio scratch last Sunday. Now that the Cats can play a non-import in the back end, Baggs draws in. But if you're a stud player, there's no way you get scratched. That decision by the Ticats may speak to Baggs' future in Hamilton after this season. Maybe Baggs will use what happened to him as motivation. Maybe secret agent Terence Jeffers-Harris will provide inside information for Baggs and the rest of the Ticats.

The Bombers were not a great offensive team after starting out 7-1. Quarterback Buck Pierce, spotty down the stretch, has been well rested and his injured ribs should not be a factor. If Pierce is on his game, he can dominate. But the Bombers have a capable backup in Alex Brink, so if Pierce struggles, coach Paul LaPolice can go to the bullpen.

The Bombers don't have to rely strictly on their passing game, which isn't great anyway. They have developed a good ground game with Chris Garrett. Once he gets in gear, he's hard to stop. If the Bombers want to rush the ball and establish the line, it can be effective.

The biggest advantage the Bombers have is their defence. When these guys decide to play, they are the best in the league. They have some incredible individuals in the back end that can mess up the Ti-Cats' passing game, and Hamilton quarterback Kevin Glenn needs to find his rhythm quickly.

This is the last game the Bombers will ever play at Canad Inns Stadium. They can't afford to blow this golden chance to get to the Grey Cup.

Bombers are favoured by 3½.

And the pick is: Bombers to cover

Edmonton (12-7) at B.C. (11-7)

The Eskimos' fortunes have changed after losing burly running back Jerome Messam during last week's win. He gave the Eskimos tremendous balance. That has been lost, so backup running back Calvin McCarty and recent addition Hugh Charles will split reps. McCarty can play well in spurts, while Charles is known more for his return ability.

So the shift goes to quarterback Ricky Ray and the passing game. When Ray gets in a rhythm, the running game doesn't matter. He's got experience and some good history playing in B.C. Ray has tremendous receivers - one of the best units in the league - and the key may be Fred Stamps. He was not used much in the division semifinal, so I'd expect him to get involved early, maybe on a simple hitch pass. Defensively, it will be about the Eskimos' rush ends getting to Lions' quarterback Travis Lulay. They have to keep him contained because he's dangerous on the run.

The Lions have the homefield advantage and have had a two-week rest. While the Eskimos didn't have a walkthrough on Saturday, B.C. had a detailed one.

The Lions are expected to dress six defensive linemen, so you know they'll be rotating them in and out to keep them fresh for an all-out blitz. My guess is they may try to do it up the middle to attack centre Gord Hinse. He's the third centre this season for the Eskimos.

The Lions' defence has really gelled since going to a four-man line and tinkering with personnel. They completely shut down Montreal in the final game of the season. B.C.'s receiving corps is underrated. Yes, everyone knows about Geroy Simon and Arland Bruce, but the youngsters in behind them are developing quickly.

Lulay has developed into one of the best young QBs in the league. This is his chance to shine.

Maybe the most important asset the Lions have is punter/place kicker Paul McCallum. He's been gold.

Lions are favoured by 6½.

And the pick is: Lions to cover.

Playoff record: 1-1.

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on Sportsnet.ca.