The playoff picture is shaping up to be one of the tightest races we have seen in recent years. Every team has a realistic chance to push for the playoffs as we near the final stretch of the season. Saskatchewan (5-7-1) holds the third-place playoff spot in the West with Edmonton (5-8) and Calgary (4-8-1) close behind. Hamilton is also in the hunt with a 4-9 record and could potentially be the first Eastern team to crossover to the West if they are able to climb the standings.
The Montreal Alouettes are the only team to have clinched a playoff spot and will travel to Ottawa to take on the RedBlacks who are chasing them for first in the East.
All games will be broadcast on TSN in Canada except for Saturday’s match between Montreal and Ottawa which will be on CTV. In the US and globally, all games will be streamable for free on CFL Plus.
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Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-9) @ Toronto Argonauts (7-6)
Friday, September 20, 7:0 PM Eastern (6:00 PM CT), Toronto, ON, TSN (Canada), CFL+ (USA, Global)
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats head to Toronto coming off a 37-21 win over Ottawa at home last week. The Ti-Cats have won their last 2 games but are still in desperate need to continue winning to keep their playoff hopes alive. Bo Levi Mitchell continues to lead the league in passing yards with 3,682 and a league-leading 23 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Toronto is coming off a strong performance themselves that saw them generate 7 sacks in a 33-17 win on the road in BC last week. Chad Kelly has completed 66.7% of his passes for 1,375 yards and 5 touchdowns with 6 interceptions over his 4 games since returning from suspension.
The last time these teams met was in week 13 which saw Hamilton win 31-28 at home.
Writer’s Pick: 57% Hamilton
Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-7-1) @ Calgary Stampeders (4-8-1)
Friday, September 20, 9:30 PM Eastern (7:30 PM MT), Calgary, AB, TSN (Canada), CFL+ (USA, Global)
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are in the midst of a 7-game winless streak but still remain in a playoff position but that will change quickly if the Riders do not start winning again. Despite not getting any wins over that stretch the games have been very close with only 1 loss being by 2 scores. Trevor Harris has completed 68.8% of his passes for 2,072 yards and 15 touchdowns with 7 interceptions over 7 games.
The Calgary Stampeders ended a 4-game losing streak last week with a 19-19 tie at home against the Montreal Alouettes. Jake Maier bounced back after a tough outing in his previous start to complete 29 of his 37 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown. He has completed 72.1% of his passes this season for 3,157 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on the season.
Calgary won the last meeting against Saskatchewan 26-19 at home last season in week 19.
Writer’s Pick: 71% Saskatchewan
Montreal Alouettes (10-2-1) @ Ottawa RedBlacks (8-4-1)
Saturday, September, 21, 3:00 PM Eastern (2 PM CT), Ottawa, ON, CTV (Canada), CFL+ (USA, Global)
The Montreal Alouettes are coming off a 19-19 tie in Calgary last week and will aim to put some distance on the RedBlacks to maintain first place in the East. Cody Fajardo has completed 74.9% of his passes for 2,416 yards and 13 touchdowns with 6 interceptions over his 9 starts this season.
The Ottawa RedBlacks fell to Hamilton 21-37 last week in a game that saw Jeremiah Masoli come in for Dru Brown at quarterback. It was a slow start for Ottawa’s offense as the team scored 6 points over the first 3 quarters. Dru Brown has completed 67.3% of his passes for 3,045 yards and 11 touchdowns with 6 interceptions over 12 games this season.
Montreal won the last meeting between these 2 by a score of 47-21 in week 3 in Montreal. They will meet again in week 19 in Montreal.
Writer’s Pick: 71% Montreal
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-6) @ Edmonton Elks (5-8)
Saturday, September, 21, 7:00 PM Eastern (5 PM MT), Edmonton, AB, TSN (Canada), CFL+ (USA, Global)
Both Winnipeg and Edmonton are rested coming off of a bye week. Both are teams that have corrected their season after a rough start. Winnipeg began the season 0-4 yet has since climbed back to the top of the West. So far this season Zach Collaros has completed 68.4% of his passes for 2,932 yards and 8 touchdowns with 13 interceptions.
The Elks were playing pretty good football from the start of the season but still opened the year with a 7-game losing streak. The hunted have become the hunters as the Elks have been devouring their opponents as of late by winning 5 of their last 6 games. Edmonton is coming off a 37-16 win in week 14 which saw them have a lot of success running the football. McLeod Bethel Thompson has completed 68.1% of his passes for 3,098 yards and 19 touchdowns with 9 interceptions.
This is the first time Edmonton and Winnipeg meet this season and they will meet once more the following week in Winnipeg. Winnipeg has won the last 10 meetings dating back to week 21 of 2018.
Writer’s Pick: 57% Edmonton
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