Things haven’t changed for the Saskatchewan Roughriders when it comes to the CFL playoffs.
Saskatchewan clinched a spot in the post-season with its 19-12 victory over the Edmonton Eskimos on Oct. 8. And despite a number of things going against the Roughriders this past weekend, they still have a chance at staging a home playoff game.
If Saskatchewan beat the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday and the B.C. Lions lost later in the day to the hometown Calgary Stampeders, the Roughriders would earn the right to hold a post-season game at Mosaic Stadium.
Instead, Winnipeg beat the Roughriders 31-0 and the Lions defeated Calgary 26-21. As well, the Eskimos downed the Ottawa Redblacks 34-16 to further muddy the waters.
After the weekend action, the Stampeders are in first place at 12-3-0, the Roughriders sit in second at 10-6-0, the Bombers hold down third at 9-7-0, the Lions are fourth at 8-7-0 and the Eskimos are fifth at 8-8-0.
But the Roughriders’ situation remains exactly the same as last week: If the Lions lose (or tie) Friday against the visiting Eskimos and the Roughriders win Saturday in Calgary, Saskatchewan will clinch a home playoff game.
There are a lot of ‘ifs’ involved, but here’s a brief look at what’s happening in the West Division as the playoffs approach:
Calgary Stampeders
Games remaining: Home to Saskatchewan on Saturday, at Winnipeg on Oct. 26, at B.C. on Nov. 3.
Playoff possibilities: The Stampeders can clinch first place in the West (and can earn the right to host the Western Final) with a win or a tie in any of their next three games … They still could finish in second place in the West if Saskatchewan wins its remaining games and Calgary loses all of its games. The Stampeders and Roughriders split the first two meetings in their regular-season series, so Saskatchewan can win the season series with a victory in Calgary on Saturday … The fact that the Stamps can finish no worse than second in the West means they already have clinched a home playoff game.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Games remaining: At Calgary on Saturday, home to B.C. on Oct. 27, bye in Week 21.
Playoff possibilities: As was the case a week ago, the Roughriders can clinch a home playoff game with a win Saturday and a B.C. loss or tie against the visiting Eskimos on Friday … The Roughriders can win the season series against Calgary with a victory Saturday, which could be a factor if the teams finish tied in the standings … The Roughriders have the tiebreaking edge on Winnipeg, having beaten the Bombers in two of three regular-season meetings. Saskatchewan won the first game of the season series against B.C. and split its two-game series with Edmonton. Based on all of the teams’ schedules down the stretch, Saskatchewan can’t finish worse than fourth in the West — and even that placing would result in a crossover to the East for the playoffs.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Games remaining: Bye in Week 19, home to Calgary on Oct. 26, at Edmonton on Nov. 3.
Playoff possibilities: If the regular season ended today, Winnipeg would visit Saskatchewan for the Western Semi-Final. But the Bombers still could finish second if they win out and the Roughriders lose their final two games … However, Winnipeg also could miss the playoffs. If the Bombers lose their remaining two games, they would finish at 9-9-0. If the Eskimos and Lions also complete the regular season with that record, those two teams would advance and Winnipeg would be eliminated based on head-to-head play between the three clubs.
B.C. Lions
Games remaining: Home to Edmonton on Friday, at Saskatchewan on Oct. 27, home to Calgary on Nov. 3.
Playoff possibilities: The Lions can clinch a playoff spot if they defeat the Eskimos on Friday … If B.C. wins out, Saskatchewan loses its final two games and Winnipeg splits its remaining two contests, the Lions could wind up in second place … If the Lions lose out, they’ll miss the playoffs … Winnipeg won the teams’ two-game season series based on point differential, while Saskatchewan has a three-point lead on the Lions after the first game of their series. The Eskimos and Lions are to decide their three-game season series Friday.
Edmonton Eskimos
Games remaining: At B.C. on Friday, bye in Week 20, home to Winnipeg on Nov. 3
Playoff possibilities: A victory over the Lions would vault the Eskimos back into a playoff spot and would give Edmonton the win in the teams’ three-game season series. With a loss Friday, the Eskimos would need Winnipeg to lose both of its final two games — including its season finale in Edmonton. If the Bombers lose to Calgary on Oct. 26 and then to the Eskimos on Nov. 3, Edmonton would win the season series with Winnipeg and would move on … If the Lions beat the Eskimos on Friday and Winnipeg beats Calgary on Oct. 26, Edmonton would be eliminated.
And if you like tiebreakers, there are myriad possibilities. Here are three to consider, all of which are based on records among the tied teams.
If the Eskimos, Bombers and Roughriders all finish with 10-8-0 records, Edmonton and Saskatchewan would stay in the West and Winnipeg would cross over.
If the Eskimos, Bombers, Lions and Roughriders tie at 10-8-0, Edmonton and Saskatchewan would stay in the West, B.C. would go east and Winnipeg would go home.
If Winnipeg and B.C. get to 11-7-0 and Saskatchewan finishes 10-8-0, the Bombers would play host to the Lions in the Western Semi-Final and the Roughriders would head east.
Got all that? Good — because it all could be moot by Friday night.
Speaking of the East Division, the Ottawa Redblacks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats are tied for first place with 8-7-0 records.
Those teams are to play a home-and-home set over the next two weeks, a series which will go a long way to determining which team will finish first (and play host to the Eastern Final) and which will place second (and play host to the crossover team in the Eastern Semi-Final).
