Chad Kelly and the Toronto Argonauts can complete the East Division’s playoff picture.
The Argos (9-7) host Ottawa (8-7-1) on Saturday afternoon. They can clinch second in the East Division with a win and gain home-field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs versus the Redblacks.
The Montreal Alouettes (12-3-1) have already clinched first in the East. They’ll host either Toronto or Ottawa in the division final Nov. 9.
Winnipeg (10-7), Saskatchewan (9-7-1) and B.C. (8-9) have all secured West Division playoff spots. The Blue Bombers and Roughriders have yet to settle who’ll finish first – both are on a bye week – but the Lions will open the postseason on the road regardless of how they fare in their regular-season finale Saturday versus Montreal.
Winnipeg visits Montreal on Oct. 26 while Saskatchewan hosts Calgary (4-11-1) later that night. The Stampeders, Edmonton Elks (6-11) and Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-10) will all miss the playoffs this year.
Toronto will be the more rested squad against Ottawa and definitely have momentum. The Argos are coming off wins over Montreal (37-31 at BMO Field on Sept. 28) and the Bombers (14-11 in Winnipeg on Friday night).
Toronto halted Winnipeg’s eight-game win streak. Its defence registered seven sacks, with Folarin Orimolade getting two and an interception.
Ottawa has dropped four straight, including a 19-12 decision to Montreal on Monday. The Redblacks didn’t score a touchdown en route to being swept by the Alouettes for a second straight season.
Backup Davis Alexander completed 14-of-24 passes for 208 yards with an interception while running for a TD. More importantly, Alexander improved to 4-0 as the starter with incumbent Cody Fajardo missing the game due to the birth of a child last week.
Ottawa’s defence had four sacks and held Montreal’s offence to 268 net yards.
Veteran Jeremiah Masoli completed 19-of-34 passes for 216 yards and an interception before giving way to Dustin Crum. The Redblacks were minus starter Dru Brown (ankle) and receiver Justin Hardy (also ankle).
Kelly finished 16-of-23 passing against Winnipeg for 208 yards and a TD.
Bombers receiver Kenny Lawler had six catches for 108 yards while CFL rushing leader Brady Oliveira ran for 64 yards on 12 carries (5.3-yard average). But neither scored a touchdown for Winnipeg.
The run has been a staple of Toronto’s offence. The Argos are averaging a CFL-high 124.4 rushing yards per game, led by Ka’Deem Carey (1,005 yards, 5.7-yard average).
Carey suffered a back injury against Winnipeg but was a full participant in practice Wednesday. Toronto also has Deonta McMahon (239 yards 6.8-yard average) and Canadian Daniel Adeboboye (203 yards, 4.2-yard average) in its backfield.
Kelly has thrown for 2,120 yards with seven TDs and eight interceptions. The CFL’s outstanding player last season is 4-3 as Toronto’s starter in 2024.
Both teams have veteran kickers in Toronto’s Lirim Hajrullahu (51-of-55 field goals) and Ottawa’s Lewis Ward (made a league-best 52 field goals in 59 attempts).
Pick: Toronto
Calgary Stampeders at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Friday night)
At Hamilton, the Ticats return from their bye week chasing a fourth home win in their final appearance at Tim Hortons Field this season but are just 2-7 against the West Division. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell continues to lead the CFL in passing yards (4,576), 300-yard games (eight) and TDs (26) but also interceptions (16). The Stampeders have struggled mightily this season away from McMahon Stadium (0-7) but are also just 2-4-1 versus East Division competition.
Pick: Hamilton
Montreal Alouettes at B.C. Lions (Saturday night)
Pick: B.C.
Last week: 3-1
CP’s overall record: 44-30
