The CFL! Bigger field, rouge points, three downs — a whole different ball game. But it’s not all just fancy rules. This is a league where underdogs can claw their way to victory, leaving fans stunned and rewriting seasons. And watching each game can be as entertaining as playing in the casino Vave in Canada or entering the field yourself. Let’s look back at some upsets that left jaws on the floor.
Ticats Take Down the Eskimos (1986 Grey Cup)
The Edmonton Eskimos are crushing it, with a record of 13-4-1. Meanwhile, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are limping in at 9-8-1. The Eskimos even stomped the Ticats twice during the season. Easy win for Edmonton, right? Wrong! The Grey Cup saw a different Hamilton team. Their quarterback, Tom Clements, was laser-focused, dissecting the Eskimo defense with pinpoint accuracy. Their defense, inspired by the electric Grey Cup atmosphere, swarmed like angry hornets, shutting down Edmonton’s vaunted offense. The final score: a shocking 39-15 win for the Ticats! This victory not only cemented Tom Clements’ legacy in Hamilton but also served as a powerful reminder that no lead is safe in the CFL.
Winnipeg Freezes Hamilton’s Title Dreams (2019 Grey Cup)
The 2019 Grey Cup was a battle between contrasting styles. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats boasted the league’s most explosive offense, a well-oiled machine led by the dynamic duo of quarterback Dane Evans and receiver Brandon Banks. Their high-octane attack had defenses scrambling all season. But across the field stood the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, a team built on a foundation of rock-solid defense. They weren’t interested in a shootout; their plan was to suffocate the Ticats’ offense and control the tempo. And that’s exactly what they did. The Bombers’ defense played with a relentless intensity, shutting down Evans and Banks like a vault door. A clutch blocked field goal in the dying seconds sealed the deal for Winnipeg, with a surprising 33-12 victory. This win capped off an incredible turnaround for the Blue Bombers, who had endured years of futility. It can also be a cautionary tale: underestimating any team in the CFL, regardless of their record or offensive firepower, is a complete disaster. And it must be memorized by everyone involved in the game, including not only athletes but also their fans.
More Than Just Luck: The Recipe for an Upset
These upsets aren’t just about dumb luck. Sometimes, it’s the underdog capitalizing on a crucial fumble or a missed kick that can swing the momentum of a game. Sometimes, it’s a team playing with a chip on their shoulder, a team that’s been overlooked or underestimated all season. They come out with a fire in their bellies, desperate to prove themselves on the national stage. And sometimes, it’s the magic of home field advantage. The roar of the crowd becomes a wave of energy that propels the underdog forward, giving them that extra edge to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Every CFL game is a chance for an underdog to rise to glory.
