With their playoff hopes still alive, the Edmonton Elks will look to continue their journey in week 20.  Unfortunately, it will be a tough road, as they will head to Vancouver to take on the BC Lions, who are a team trying to lock a possible home playoff date with both Winnipeg and Calgary right behind them.  The best option for the Elks to make the playoffs is a simple and difficult one.  They will need to go 2-0 and get some help along the way.    

Game Details  

Date:  Friday, October 17th, 2025

Location:  BC Place Stadium / Vancouver, British Columbia

Kickoff time:  10:30 PM EST

Channel: TSN

Stream:  CFL +

Weather forecast at kickoff:  N/A.  The game will be in an indoor venue.      

Odds

Spread:  BC Lions (- 5.5) – 115 / Edmonton Elks (+5.5) – 105

Moneyline:  BC Lions – 245 / Edmonton Elks + 198

Over / Under: Over 56.5 – 110 / Under 56.5 – 110

Via FanDuel Sportsbook

Game Notes

.  With four straight home wins, the Elks have clinched a winning record at Commonwealth for the first time since 2019.

.  Edomonton’s next streak is against the Lions.  They have not won in Vancouver since July 11th, 2019 (six straight defeats).

.  QB Cody Fajardo scored his 6th rushing TD of the season vs. Winnipeg, and 47th of his career to lead all active players.

.  After a slow start defensively, the Elks have allowed more than 30 points just once in their last 11 games.

.  Over the previous four games, the Elks’ secondary had forced nine interceptions.

.  The Lions enter this game after a week off and are 1-1 in 2025.  Dating back to 2024, BC is just 1-3 after a bye week.

.  Nathan Rourke had led the Lions to 4 straight victories, over which he’s completed 77.4% of his passes and averaged 322.0 passing yards per game.

.  The Lions are first in the CFL in 2025 with a red zone touchdown percentage of 66.7%, scoring a major on 40 of a league-high 60 opportunities.

Source: CFL

Edmonton Elks Depth Chart

BC Lionx Depth Chart

Injury Reports

Players to watch: Edmonton Elks

RB – Justin Rankin

What Justin Rankin does so well is his presence on the field and leading by example.  And when he does run, he is like a locomotive with a full head of steam.  There have been a few games this season where it took a 3rd or 4th player to take him down.    

LB – Joel Dublanko

The progress of Joel Dublanko this season has been something worth watching.  He has the talent and ability to read the offence and counter, making big plays this season for the Green and Gold.  Expect Joel Dublanko to have a big impact tomorrow night.  

DB – Kordell Jackson

He’s been a consistent and reliable player for the Elks since joining the club in 2024.  He collected 51 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles in his first season in Edmonton.  This year, he has elevated his total tackles to 77, 2 sacks, and 1 interception.       

Players to watch: BC Lions

QB – Nathan Rourke

Does anybody like long drives and scoring a lot of touchdowns in the red zone?  Anyone?  Nathan Rourke sure likes to, as he can pick apart your defence at will.  He is one of the most entertaining, creative, and smartest quarterbacks in this league.

DL – Mathieu Betts

Ask any offensive linemen in the CFL, and they will tell you that Mathieu Betts is one of the toughest defensive linemen in the CFL to contain.  He thrives on making big plays on the defence.  His 14 sacks this season are a scary stat if you’re playing against him.  

WR – Keon Hatcher

This has been a breakout season when it comes to personal best statistics for Keon Hatcher.  Not only is he shattering his personal best, but he has made a statement on why he is one of the best receivers in the CFL.  His 2025 statistics consist of 90 receptions, 1,516 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns, 563 yards after the catch, with 18.8 yards per catch.  

Keys to an Edmonton victory:

Justin Rankin.  Enough said.

There are only positives when you mention his name.  He is the most important positional player on the Elks roster.  Give him the rest when it is needed.  He is the emotional spark that the Elks need on a game-to-game basis. 

Pressure, pressure, and more pressure.

It will not be easy when you’re lining up against one of the best quarterbacks in the CFL.  You will never shut down Nathan Rourke.  And even if it did happen, you either played an incredible game, or Nathan was completely off his game.  Or, a combination of both.  The Edmonton front seven will have to be aggressive to get into the backfield. 

Win the special team’s battle.

It’s important in this game for the Elks to be aggressive on special teams.  This is for both ways on the return game, along with the coverage team.  Make it difficult for the Lions to begin their possession with the longer field.  Put yourself in a good position to begin your offensive series.

Prediction

It’s going to be a tough game for the Elks in BC.  They have been playing some inspiring football, and it would be a shame if they were defeated in this game tomorrow night, as it would seriously lower their playoff probability.  That is not to say that they cannot cause an unset here.  The question that remains for the Elks’ last two scheduled games is whether they can win and become a 9-9 team.  If there is an upset here, and the Elks play to their heroic potential, this could be a 32-28 victory for the Green and Gold.          

Final Score

BC Lions:  29   

Edmonton Elks:  24 

It’s hard to go against Nathan Rourke, as he has flipped the momentum this season when he is having a bad game.  The Elks will put up a big fight, but the Leos come out on top.