Today the Calgary Stampeders will appear in the Grey Cup for the fifth time in the last seven years. Their opponent? The Ottawa Redblacks, who’ve appeared in two of the last three title games and beat the Stamps in epic, heart-breaking fashion in 2016.
But how will the 106th Grey Cup play out? Our expert CFL panel has stepped up with picks on not only the champion, but also the major award winners.
The panel includes BC Lions quarterback and 2011 Grey Cup most valuable player Travis Lulay, Sportsnet reporter Arash Madani, columnist Eric Francis, staff writer Donnovan Bennett and associate editor David Morassutti.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
LULAY: Eric Rogers. Rogers provides Bo with his biggest comfort level, and he is a size mismatch in the red zone. His size is a factor because there will be pressure from the Ottawa defence inside the 20, so 1-on-1s will be happening there. Why wouldn’t Bo go to the big threat, who scored the game-sealing touchdown in the red zone last week?
MADANI: Micah Johnson. The defensive tackle position is becoming the most impactful in pro football on both sides of the border and Johnson is to the Stampeders and the CFL what Aaron Donald is to the Rams and the NFL. Johnson has the ability to not just shift field position, but create turnovers and instant points. He can change a game, and he’s my pick to do it in the Grey Cup.
FRANCIS: Bo Levi Mitchell. The best player on the best team will get this, just as he did in 2014 when he led the Stamps to their last crown. Fact is, he’s passed for over 300 yards and been sharp enough to win in each of his three Grey Cups to date. He won MOP honours this year despite a revolving door of personnel around him, proving he can get the job done no matter what is thrown at him. Too talented to be denied a third-straight time.
BENNETT: Bo Levi Mitchell. Mitchell has historically feasted against Ottawa, but as we all know the last time he met the Redblacks in the Grey Cup he was on the losing end. The 2018 CFL MOP is going to take a long, hard look at the NFL this off-season, and I know he doesn’t want to be remembered as the first QB to drop three straight Grey Cups since the 1950s. In what could be one of his last games in the CFL, I expect the 28-year-old to go out with a bang.
MORASSUTTI: Bo Levi Mitchell. A defensive player hasn’t won the Grey Cup MVP since James Johnson did in 2007. With all the pressure on Bo Levi Mitchell to avoid a third-straight Grey Cup loss, he should feel confident given how his season has gone. He threw the most passing touchdowns despite missing his top receivers for a good part of the season, and he should be ready for whatever Ottawa has to throw at him.
MOST VALUABLE CANADIAN
LULAY: Alex Singleton. For Calgary to win, they’re going to have to be good against Ottawa’s run game, which will give Singleton plenty of playmaking opportunities. I see Alex making some kind of play – forcing a fumble, jumping on a loose ball – that can make the difference.
MADANI: Alex Singleton. If Calgary is to win this game, the defence is going to have to be the difference. Ottawa’s William Powell nearly won the CFL rushing title this season, and Singleton will pile up stats while corralling the ground attack. Singleton is in the middle of that Stamps defence and has been the focal point of it for much of the season. That continues Sunday.
FRANCIS: Alex Singleton. The focal point for Calgary most of this season was its defence, which Singleton spearheads. Ottawa’s running game, and suddenly red-hot quarterback, will pose plenty of problems for Calgary, which Singleton will no doubt be facing head on all game long. It’s quite likely his name will be mentioned more than anyone else’s on Sunday, for good reason.
BENNETT: Brad Sinopoli. Win or lose, Brad Sinopoli is far and away the best Canadian in this game. He finished this season with 1,376 yards and led the CFL with 116 receptions, a single-season record for a Canadian. Sinopoli had just two receptions for 24 yards in the East final, so don’t be surprised if that number reverts back to the mean and he’s targeted early and often to finish with over 100 yards receiving.
MORASSUTTI: Alex Singleton. The Stampeders defence will need to make life difficult for Trevor Harris, and one way to do that is by taking away the run game. Singleton is the motor that drives Calgary’s defence, leading the CFL in tackles, and will welcome the challenge of trying to stop another top rusher in the league in William Powell.
GREY CUP CHAMPION
LULAY: Calgary Stampeders. I just think they get over the hump. Even with the pressure against them, I think they’re too good to lose three in a row, frankly. They say defences win championships, and on Sunday Calgary’s defence will rise to the challenge. Calgary 26, Ottawa 19.
MADANI: Calgary Stampeders. DaVaris Daniels looks like he’ll be back for Sunday. That gives Bo Levi Mitchell three deep threats, with Eric Rogers and Chris Matthews finding their way in the Stamps’ offence. With no shortage of weapons to stretch the field, the Stamps finally do it after two years of blowing it. Calgary 29, Ottawa 21.
FRANCIS: Calgary Stampeders. Unlike past years when the team entered the Grey Cup game unchallenged, this year’s club has faced an inordinate number of injuries and setbacks along the way. That adversity paid off as the Stampeders needed to be sharp to win their final regular-season game to clinch the west. These aren’t the CFL’s Buffalo Bills — they are the best franchise the league has had for most of the decade, which people will be reminded of Sunday. Calgary 31, Ottawa 28.
BENNETT: Calgary Stampeders. The Stamps have been the best team in the league in 2018. Their defensive unit this season ranked first in points allowed per game (20.2), rush yards allowed per game (86.5), pass TDs allowed (11), takeaways (49), sacks (45) and turnover differential (plus-13). More importantly, they’ve been much better than Ottawa head to head, as Calgary swept the two-game season series. The last meeting between the two teams was a 37–3 win in Week 5. I suspect this game will be similar. Calgary 30, Ottawa 0.
MORASSUTTI: Calgary Stampeders. A couple of mistakes cost the Stampeders the Grey Cup last year, and the only way they lose this one is if they get in their own way. Mitchell won’t have to do it all himself given the way Calgary’s defence has played, but he will look to establish his dominance early. Having DaVaris Daniels and Eric Rogers should allow him to do that. Calgary 31, Ottawa 24.
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