THIS WEEK IN THE CFL – WEEK 21

Friday Night Football will see the REDBLACKS’ 2019 season draw to a close in the nation’s capital. Ottawa will attempt to end the year on a positive note in the 7 p.m. ET matchup, while the visiting Alouettes are hoping to build momentum ahead of a Semi-Final date against the crossover Eskimos on November 10. Montreal is coming off a 38-26 setback against the East Division-leading Tiger-Cats which continued a trend of inconsistency across the second half of the season – the team has alternated wins and losses every week since Mark’s Labour Day Weekend. The two sides have split the season series with Montreal winning 36-19 in Week 5 and Ottawa capturing a 30-27 overtime victory in Week 8.

The race for the West Division will come down to the season's final day. The 4 p.m. ET opener of the tripleheader will see Edmonton travel to Mosaic Stadium for the second half of a home-and-home series. Saskatchewan opened the set with a hard-fought, walk-off 27-24 victory last week which moved the team into first in the West Division – a win or tie this week will cement the team’s place in the standings. The Roughriders are winners of five of their past six and are 7-1 at home this season. The Eskimos are in search of their fourth road win of the year before they head east for Semi-Final Sunday in Montreal.

Hamilton will close out an historic regular season with a primetime matchup against Toronto. The Tiger-Cats are looking to add another victory to their franchise-best 14 wins, while also hoping to finish with a 9-0 mark at Tim Hortons Field. No East Division team has compiled a perfect home record or reached the 30-point plateau since the 2009 edition of the Alouettes managed both feats with a 15-3 record. The visiting Argonauts came away with a decisive 39-9 win over Ottawa in Week 19. Toronto will need to claim its second road victory of the year in order to avoid a season series sweep at the hands of its provincial rivals.

Regardless of the outcome in Saskatchewan, much remains to be decided by the 2019 campaign’s final regular season game when the Lions play host to Calgary. With at least one point, the Stampeders can clinch a home playoff date prior to McMahon Stadium serving as the backdrop for the 107th Grey Cup presented by Shaw. A loss would shift the scene of the Western Semi-Final to Winnipeg where the Blue Bombers lie in wait while on a bye week. The Lions have three home victories this season, but have yet to register a win against a West Division foe. Calgary can sweep the season series after emerging with a 36-32 decision when the teams last met in Week 3. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET.

107TH GREY CUP PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

Saskatchewan Win or Tie AND Calgary Win or Tie

  • Saskatchewan clinches first and will host the Western Final
  • Calgary will host Winnipeg in the Western Semi-Final

Saskatchewan Loss AND Calgary Win or Tie

  • Calgary clinches first and will host the Western Final
  • Saskatchewan will host Winnipeg in the Western Semi-Final

Calgary Loss

  • Saskatchewan clinches first and will host the Western Final
  • Winnipeg will host Calgary in the Western Semi-Final

Playoff picture

  • Calgary clinched its 15th consecutive playoff appearance in Week 15.
  • Winnipeg secured its fourth straight spot in the post-season in Week 15.
  • Montreal earned its first playoff spot since 2014 in Week 17 and claimed Eastern Semi-Final hosting duties in Week 18.
  • After reserving the right to host a home playoff date for a second-year-in-a-row in Week 15, Hamilton secured home field for the Eastern Final in Week 18.
  • Edmonton clinched a playoff berth as the crossover team in Week 18 and will head to the post-season for the fifth time in six seasons.
  • After claiming a post-season berth for the third consecutive year in Week 16, Saskatchewan secured a home playoff date in Week 20.

Lucas Barrett

Manager, Communications & Public Affairs, Canadian Football League

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