It’s the final week of the CFL regular season, and there’s still plenty on the line before the playoffs kick off. Some teams are fighting for top spots, others are looking to lock in home playoff games, and a few are just trying to finish strong.
Ticats Can Take the East
Ottawa REDBLACKS (4-13) at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (12-5)
Friday at 5:00 PM MT on TSN
For Hamilton, the math is simple. Win on Friday night and they finish first in the East Division, securing a bye and a home date for the Eastern Final. It’s a position they haven’t been in since 2019, when they went 15-3 and made it to the Grey Cup.
Bo Levi Mitchell has been steady all year, and the Ticats are hoping the Week 20 bye helped them regroup after a few shaky performances. Ottawa, on the other hand, is just looking to end the year on a positive note after dropping five straight. The REDBLACKS can’t make the playoffs, but they’d love to play spoiler in Hamilton and give fans something to smile about heading into the offseason.
If Hamilton wins, they clinch the East. If not, Montreal suddenly has a lot more to play for on Saturday.
Battle of Alberta, Part Four
Calgary Stampeders (9-8) at Edmonton Elks (7-10)
Friday at 7:00 PM MT on TSN
The Elks are out of the playoff picture, but they’ve been tough down the stretch and would love to end their year by beating their provincial rivals. Calgary, meanwhile, needs this win to make sure they stay on the West side of the bracket.
Adrian Greene has been a difference-maker on Calgary’s defence with two pick-sixes in his last five games. On offence, Dedrick Mills has been a force, and the Stamps are finally looking like the team that started the year hot.
Edmonton will lean on running back Justin Rankin, who hit the 1,000-yard mark last week, to try to spoil Calgary’s playoff plans.
The Wild Cards
Montreal Alouettes (10-7) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-8)
If Hamilton wins Friday, the Montreal Alouettes will have little to play for when they face Winnipeg on Saturday. But if Ottawa pulls the upset, the Als can steal first place in the East with a victory.
Davis Alexander remains unbeaten as a starter and will look to extend that streak, though Jason Maas may rest his quarterback if the game becomes meaningless. Winnipeg, meanwhile, is desperate to avoid crossing over to the East — a path no team has ever successfully taken to the Grey Cup.
Who Takes the West?
BC Lions (10-7) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (12-5)
Saturday at 5:00 PM MT on TSN
The Riders have already locked up first in the West, but the Lions still have plenty on the line. A win in Regina would guarantee BC a home playoff date in the Western Semi-Final. Nathan Rourke continues to make his case for Most Outstanding Player after a thrilling 70-yard touchdown run last week, while Keon Hatcher Sr. has been electric all season as the CFL’s receiving leader.
Saskatchewan head coach Corey Mace is expected to return several starters after resting them in Week 20, including Trevor Harris and AJ Ouellette. Still, with the Western Final already secured, their playing time could be limited. The Riders’ depth has been tested all season, and this game will give them another chance to stay sharp before their playoff bye week.
BC, winners of five straight, look like a team peaking at the right time. Their defence — once a liability — has transformed into one of the stingiest units in the league. Expect them to push hard to keep their momentum rolling into November.
