Hamilton Tigercats vs Ottawa REDBLACKS October 19, 2018 PHOTO: Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photography
The last of six playoff spots and the West Division title are both still up for grabs, as the final two weeks of the CFL regular season get set to wind down.
In the East, it is a two-horse race to see who will finish first. Ottawa has pressed the issue with a huge win over Hamilton Friday night and needs to win one of its remaining two games to clinch the division.
Hamilton, meanwhile, no longer controls its destiny to win the East. The Ticats have surrendered the season series to Ottawa and need to win their final two — including next week against the REDBLACKS — and not only win their final contest but hope for an Ottawa loss to Toronto in Week 21.
In the West, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have stayed alive in the race for a division title following a win over the Calgary Stampeders. The Stamps can clinch the West with either a Riders loss or a win of their own.
Meanwhile, the Eskimos no longer control their own destiny, needing a win combined with two Winnipeg losses to squeak into the post-season.
Here are the playoff scenarios for Week 20:
East Division Scenarios
- Ottawa Win OR Tie = Ottawa clinches first place in the East division and will host Eastern Final on November 18. As a result Hamilton secures second place in the East and will host the Eastern Semi-Final against a West Division crossover team on Nov. 11.
West Division Scenarios
- Calgary Win OR Tie OR Saskatchewan Loss OR Tie = Calgary clinches first place in division and hosts Western Final on Nov. 18.Saskatchewan Win OR Tie = Saskatchewan secures a home playoff date.Winnipeg Win OR Tie = Winnipeg clinches the final playoff berth and Edmonton is eliminated from playoff contention.Winnipeg Win + BC Loss = Winnipeg finishes third and BC becomes the crossover team.
Who has clinched a playoff berth
- Calgary Stampeders
- Ottawa REDBLACKS
- Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Saskatchewan Roughriders
- BC Lions
Who has been eliminated from playoff contention
- Montreal Alouettes
- Toronto Argonauts
Notes
- Edmonton needs Winnipeg to lose to Calgary this week in order to remain in contention.
- If Edmonton qualifies for the playoffs it will be as a crossover team only.
- In order for the BC Lions to win the season series outright with Saskatchewan Roughriders they must win 4-plus points.
- If BC and Saskatchewan tie the season series (BC Wins by 3 points on Saturday) the outcome of the tie-breaker has yet to be determined.
If the playoffs started today (Oct. 21):
Western Semi-Final: Winnipeg at Saskatchewan
Western Final: TBD at Calgary
Eastern Semi-Final: BC at Hamilton
Eastern Final: TBD at Ottawa
Out of the playoffs: Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal
