All six playoff teams are locked in, but the final places are still to be determined. Only the Stampeders know what their post-season looks like. The other five playoff-bound franchises are dueling for positioning. There’s lots left to play for, so let’s dig in.
Edmonton Eskimos (8-8) @ Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-9)
With a regular season East Division title hanging in the balance, Zach Collaros is back for Hamilton. He missed two games after suffering a mild concussion on Oct. 1 against Calgary, so it’s been nearly a full month since he has seen live action. Credit the team for handling the franchise quarterback with care.
After giving up over 400 passing yards to Henry Burris and eking out an overtime victory last time out, Hamilton’s secondary needs to play much better. Especially with Adarius Bowman (116) and Derel Walker (102) – the second pair of teammates in CFL history with 100-plus catches each – coming to the donut box. The Tabbies allowed each of those playmakers to go over 100 yards at Commonwealth Stadium on July 23. It took a CFL-record-setting performance from Jeremiah Masoli in the second half – completing 23 straight passes – to pull out a win for Hamilton in that one.
One of Bowman or Walker needs to be held from creating steel mill-like fireworks.
Line: Ticats -2.5
Pick: Hamilton
Ottawa Redblacks (7-8-1) @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-6)
Going into a bye week on a two-game win streak and fresh off locking up the first playoff berth since 2011 must have been enjoyable for Mike O’Shea’s Bombers.
Winnipeg keeps the good vibes coming with Darvin Adams, the team’s most explosive offensive weapon, and Bruce Johnson, a reliable strong side halfback when he’s not popping MDA and partying hard, returning to the starting lineup. The latter addition means dynamic return man Kevin Fogg should be even more dangerous without having to play as many snaps at defensive back.
Laying less than a touchdown with the more complete football team, roll with Winnipeg.
Line: Bombers -5
Pick: Winnipeg
BC Lions (10-6) @ Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-11)
For the final time, Saskatchewan’s beloved football team will play at Old Mosaic Stadium. It opened in 1936 as a dirt field, transformed to grass and then various kinds of turf over time. The Riders want to “send ‘em out, send ‘em out, send ‘em out” on a high note from the last game.
In order to do that, the green and white need a victory over a playoff-bound team in the Lions. The last time BC came to Riderville in Week 4, Mitchell Gale finished the game at quarterback for the home team, Curtis Steele and Matt Walter were the main running backs, while Naaman Roosevelt and John Chiles were the top two receivers that July day.
Saturday, Darian Durant is set to start at quarterback, Canadian running back Greg Morris should be manning the backfield if Joe McKnight is out of the lineup, and neither Roosevelt (injury) nor Chiles (released and signed with the Ticats) will be on the field for the Riders. That’s just the big skill names on offence.
Chris Jones has made moves all season long, which means BC is seeing a vastly different and improved Saskatchewan squad.
It might be the only must-win in the history of sports for a team who is out of the playoffs.
Line: Lions -3
Pick: Saskatchewan
Calgary Stampeders (15-1-1) @ Montreal Alouettes (5-11)
Two young offensive players could make the difference for their respective team with the league’s two stingiest scoring defences on the field.
Calgary’s DaVaris Daniels has 47 receptions for 849 yards and nine touchdowns in 10 games. With 151 yards against Montreal, the outstanding rookie would set the CFL record for least amount of games needed to reach 1,000 yards receiving (11). Bo Levi Mitchell has helped make Daniels a star, but we might find out how good the Notre Dame product can be with backup Drew Tate at quarterback if the CFL MOP favourite sits.
Vernon Adams, coming off an entertaining CFL starting debut in a victory over Saskatchewan, wants to continue showing he’s the answer at quarterback Montreal’s been searching for since Anthony Calvillo retired. The 23-year-old, who has drawn comparisons to Doug Flutie, makes the Alouettes offence fun to watch. That said, consistent production that leads to victories needs to be the focus for Adams.
Line: Stampeders -9.5
Pick: Montreal
Overall record against the spread: 41-31-1