Our very last predictions of the season – where did the 2014 season go? It seems like only last week the combined win totals in the East wouldn’t have been good enough for last place in the West. And here we are, down to the wire. The Eastern Division is still very much undecided, while the West has only one race left, but to avoid the crucial crossover spot. Read on for the LWOS predictions for Week 20.
Week 20 CFL Predictions
Toronto Argonauts at Ottawa Redblacks
Steve’s thoughts: Ottawa looks to play spoiler once again as a Redblacks win on Friday Night Football will officially eliminate Toronto from the playoffs. Five out of the seven Argo wins this season have come at the dome, meanwhile Ottawa has yet to win a game on the road. Redblacks coach Rick Campbell has given more snaps to backup QB Danny O’Brien recently so look for that trend to continue as the Ottawa coaching staff will be looking to get a jump start on deciding where to go with their QBs for next season. This game however is all about the Argos and how they can handle being in an elimination scenario, do they play tight and nervous? Or do they come out and take care of business against an inferior opponent? I’ll take the Argos in this one.
Kelly Bale: Toronto 31 – Ottawa 17
Matthew Bin: Toronto 17 – Ottawa 25
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Toronto 20 – Ottawa 21
Steve Gifkins: Toronto 28 – Ottawa 21
Lance Keiser: Toronto 26 – Ottawa 11
Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Lions
Lance’s thoughts: It’s a mean nothing game for the Stamps again, but for the Lions this game could have major implications. The result will determine their playoff seeding, either as third in the West or as the crossover team who will take on the yet-to-be-determined number two seed in the East. Calgary will likely sit their starters, but that shouldn’t matter. BC is playing an odd kind of football and have been all year long. Yes, they have the league leader in tackles; no, they don’t have a proven leader. Take the Stamps here.
Kelly Bale: Calgary 19 – B.C. 15
Matthew Bin: Calgary 15 – B.C. 29
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Calgary 18 – B.C. 15
Steve Gifkins: Calgary 28 – B.C. 33
Lance Keiser: Calgary 23 – B.C. 13
Montreal Alouettes at Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Nick’s thoughts: Hamilton. Montreal. The East Division, after such a terrible start to the season, will come down to this one game. The 9-8 Alouettes visit the brand new Tim Hortons Field for the first time up against the 8-9 Tiger-Cats. Jon Crompton made his second start against these Ticats in week 11 and won 38-31 with the help of a defensive TD by Winston Venable. Deemed the turning point of the Als’ season, they now hold a two-point lead over Hamilton, but can lose that lead if they lose this game – though only if by 8 points or more. A rematch of the East semi last season and a possible preview of the East Final this season, this game may be an instant classic. The red hot Alouettes will look to make a statement and the Cats just won’t be able to handle it.
Kelly Bale: Montreal 31 – Hamilton 35
Matthew Bin: Montreal 31 – Hamilton 33
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Montreal 22 – Hamilton 13
Steve Gifkins: Montreal 10 – Hamilton 24
Lance Keiser: Montreal 26 – Hamilton 18
Edmonton Eskimos at Saskatchewan Roughriders
Kelly’s thoughts: The Edmonton Eskimos have punched their ticket to the playoffs. They know that they will be hosting the Riders or the Lions in the Western semifinal Sunday Nov. 16th at 4:30 EST. The green and gold have announced the first of many starters who will rest Saturday in Regina. Esteemed QB Mike Reilly will sit and QB Matt Nichols will be behind centre. After the Cornish example set in Week 19, I’d be careful with White, Bowman, McCoil, and Willis as well if I were head coach Chris Jones. The Riders were rallying, not resting, in their bye week. They are watching players return to the field, working hard, and with recent play as evidence are edging closer to recapturing their championship form. Look for the hungry Riders, who have been outscored 159-79 in the current five game losing skid, to get back on track just in time to begin the playoff run that they are destined to have.
Kelly Bale: Edmonton 23 – Saskatchewan 36
Matthew Bin: Edmonton 12 – Saskatchewan 29
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Edmonton 28 – Saskatchewan 25
Steve Gifkins: Edmonton 21 – Saskatchewan 24
Lance Keiser: Edmonton 16 – Saskatchewan 24
Week 19 Notes
Nick was the Week 19 champion, calling all four games correctly; he was followed by Steve and Lance, who both finished 3-1, and Matt who scored an abysmal 1-3. Matt was comforted, however, in predicting a Toronto win and being wrong.
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