Photo: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
A pair of West Division clubs could claim the final two spots in the CFL playoffs if everything goes their way in Week 19.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have the simplest path to the postseason, facing a win-and-in scenario against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday. A victory would secure the five-time defending West Division champs at least a crossover spot and keep the hope of a sixth consecutive Grey Cup appearance alive. The Bombers are currently 3.5-point road favourites in that game and defeated the Elks in their only other matchup this season.
The Calgary Stampeders will also have a keen interest in the result of that game, as they require a win against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and a loss by Edmonton to book their ticket to the playoffs. The Stamps are in the midst of a four-game losing streak and find themselves as three-point underdogs against the Ticats. The team failed to qualify for the postseason last season for the first time in 18 years.
If both of their West Division rivals win — and in the process, they lose — the door will officially slam shut on the Edmonton Elks’ slim playoff hopes. That franchise has not played a postseason game since 2019.
In addition to the two teams eyeing playoff qualification, both division leaders could cement their crowns and secure a first-round bye. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats need a win over Calgary or a loss by the Montreal Alouettes on Thanksgiving Monday to clinch first in the East, while the Saskatchewan Roughriders will win the West with a victory over the Toronto Argonauts on Friday or a Calgary loss.
Saskatchewan was the first team to clinch a playoff spot back in Week 15, followed by Hamilton in Week 16. The Alouettes secured their place last week, followed by the B.C. Lions.