Seeing your team dismantled by an opponent is always upsetting. After the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ 40-3 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, many fans switched quickly from support to criticism when expectations fell short.

Fans often react emotionally to a loss, but it is crucial to keep perspective after a defeat like Hamilton’s 40-3 loss to Winnipeg. While every fan desires constant wins, perspective clarifies what a single loss means for the season.

Despite the Tiger-Cats’ loss, the result did not greatly affect their Grey Cup chances. They remain first in the East, with Montreal close behind. Context is key; setbacks do not define their season.

Reason #1: Tiger-Cats have Clinched a Playoff Berth

Before the Tiger-Cats hit the field in Week 17 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, they were aware that they were the second team in the CFL this season to clinch a spot in the playoffs. Hamilton clinched that playoff spot when the Toronto Argonauts lost to the BC Lions 27-22 on Friday night. That meant the urgency for the Tiger-Cats to win and make the playoffs was no longer present. The Tiger-Cats are still in position to win the East Division championship, but they want to ensure that they do not sustain any major injuries before the playoffs.

Reason #2: Regular Season Wins Do Not Grey Cup Victories

During the post-season in the CFL, regular-season wins do not guarantee a Grey Cup. And it is possible that if Hamilton commits to winning every remaining game this season, they would likely have to manage injuries heading into the playoffs. Those injuries are a bigger factor in a run to the Grey Cup than a team’s regular-season win-loss record. Over the last three seasons, the Grey Cup champions have all come from the East and included teams with relatively average regular-season records. In 2022, the Toronto Argonauts finished with an 11-7 record and 2nd in the East Division. In 2023, the Montreal Alouettes finished with an 11-7 record and were second in the East Division. In 2024, the Argonauts had a 10-8 record and were second in the East Division. Based on this trend, the Tiger-Cats should be the favorite to win the Grey Cup, especially if they end up being 2nd in the East Division.

Reason #3: QB Bo Levi Mitchell is Healthy

For the second season in a row, the Tiger-Cats have a healthy Bo Levi Mitchell playing quarterback for them at the end of the season. Before last season, it was a rare event for the Tiger-Cats’ starting quarterback to not be injured during the last several weeks of the season. For the Tiger-Cats to have a chance to win the Grey Cup this season, they need to have a healthy Mitchell leading their offensive unit. In addition to Mitchell, the Tiger-Cats must ensure that their most valuable offensive weapons are also healthy and ready to make a long post-season run after the 2025 regular season.

Reason #4: Tiger-Cats Run Game is Alive and Well

A major difference between the Tiger-Cats teams of the last five CFL seasons and the 2025 edition of the Tiger-Cats is Hamilton’s ability to run the ball. During the second half of the season, the Tiger-Cats have found running back Greg Bell to take over games on the ground. In the playoffs, the ability to run the ball effectively is a critical factor for winning a Grey Cup. Bell has demonstrated the ability to run the ball and pick up hard yards, and if he can continue playing at his current level, he should be a significant part of the Tiger-Cats’ game plan in the playoffs.

Reason #5: This Tiger-Cats Team is Streaky

The last point to keep in mind about this Hamilton Tiger-Cats team is that they have been streaky the entire season. Hamilton started the season losing two games, then won six straight games. They then lost two games in a row before winning last week. The Tiger-Cats are set up for a three-game winning streak to finish this season when they face Toronto, Calgary, and Ottawa to close out the season. Hamilton has a chance to win all three of these games, while Toronto and Ottawa do not have anything to play for, as they have already been eliminated from the playoff race. If Hamilton wins two out of three of these games, they will have an 11-7 record, which is approximately the record the last three Grey Cup champions have had at the end of the last three regular seasons.

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