Playoff Scenarios: Lions control their destiny for second in the west

CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO — The Ottawa REDBLACKS have cleared up the majority of the East playoff road map and will host the Eastern Final on Sunday, November 20th after they defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Saturday. That win, combined with Hamilton’s loss on Friday, means that the Tiger-Cats will host the Eastern Semi-Final on Sunday, November 13th.

The Lions win, combined with the Bombers’ loss puts BC in the driver’s seat for second place in the West Division with one week remaining. The Lions are up two points but Winnipeg has the season series in hand.

An Edmonton Eskimos win Friday night over Hamilton keeps them in the hunt in the West.

Here is how everything shakes down given the final Week of the regular season:

BC Win or Tie = BC clinches second in the West Division and hosts the Western Semi-Final.
Winnipeg Loss or Tie = BC clinches second in the West Division and hosts the Western Semi-Final.
Winnipeg Win + BC Loss = Winnipeg clinches second (via the tie-breaker they hold over BC) in the West Division and hosts the Western Semi-Final versus BC.
BC Win + Winnipeg Win = BC clinches second in the West Division and hosts the Western Semi-Final versus Winnipeg.
Edmonton Loss or Tie = Edmonton crosses over to play Hamilton in the Eastern Semi-Final.
Winnipeg loss + Edmonton win = Winnipeg crosses over to play Hamilton in the Eastern Semi-Final and Edmonton plays BC in the Western Semi-Final in BC. (Edmonton would finish 3rd over Winnipeg via the tie-breaker).

Who has clinched a playoff berth

Calgary Stampeders, BC Lions, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Edmonton Eskimos, Ottawa REDBLACKS, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Who is eliminated from playoff contention

Saskatchewan Roughriders, Montreal Alouettes, Toronto Argonauts

If the playoffs started today (Oct. 31) …

Western Semi-Final: Winnipeg at BC
Western Final: TBD at Calgary

Eastern Semi-Final: Edmonton at Hamilton
Eastern Final: TBD at Ottawa

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