Attendance at BC Lions games is on the rise, and for good reason.
It’s been a roller coaster season for the Lions. Preseason hype was replaced with an early-season losing streak, up-and-down performances, and heartbreaking losses in the dying minutes.
Just four weeks ago, the Lions were tied for last in the West Division with a 5-7 record. They were legitimately in danger of missing the playoffs altogether.
However, Nathan Rourke’s team has righted the ship.
The Lions have ripped off four straight wins, and now they’re in the driver’s seat to host a home playoff game in November.
BC is one of two teams in the West that have clinched a playoff spot. (CFL)
The Lions basically have a 50/50 chance of hosting a playoff game on Saturday, Nov. 1, according to odds posted by the CFL:
BC Lions: 48.98 per cent
Calgary Stampeders: 38.32 per cent
Winnipeg Blue Bombers: 12.7 per cent
BC has two games remaining: at home to the Edmonton Elks on Friday and on the road against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Oct. 25.
Their recipe to host a home playoff game is simple. Win out, and they’ll host.
While BC has already clinched a playoff spot, there are many other potential outcomes.
That includes a scenario where all four of BC, Calgary, Winnipeg and Edmonton finish the season with identical 9-9 records.
If there’s a tie between two or more teams, the tiebreaker is the best head-to-head record against all tied opponents.
The Lions hold the tiebreaker over Calgary, the team they are currently tied with in the standings. BC has won both meetings versus the Stampeders this year.
If BC were to tie Winnipeg, then the Blue Bombers would jump them. The Lions went winless in two games versus Winnipeg earlier in the season.
If three or even four of these teams were to tie, then the math starts to get complicated, given that Edmonton still has games to play against both BC and Calgary.
BC is hoping to avoid that scenario by continuing its winning streak against Edmonton on Saturday. The Lions could clinch a home playoff berth if they beat Edmonton, coupled with losses from Calgary and Winnipeg.
The Lions have two games left to clinch a home playoff date. (Anne-Marie Sorvin/Imagn Images)
BC currently has the longest league-wide drought in terms of Grey Cup appearances. Every team in the league has made it there at least once since the Lions last played in the Grey Cup back in 2011, where they emerged as champions after defeating Winnipeg at BC Place.
You might also like:BC Lions expecting massive crowd for their next game at BC Place