It’s finally here, folks. The long-awaited CFL Playoffs have arrived and the crew here at Last Word On Sports are ready to offer up their playoff predictions. This will be a very simple format, there will be a prediction with a score and a brief explanation as to why we feel each game will go the way we think it will go. Without further ado, our CFL Playoff predictions.
East Semi-Final
Stephen Bolen
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 24 – B.C. Lions 18
Wally Buono’s last season, unfortunately, won’t have a Cinderella ending to it. Despite their 8-10 record, home-field advantage is a factor as Jeremiah Masoli and company do enough to secure the victory.
Nik Kowalski
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 24 – B.C. Lions 23
B.C. struggles on the road, and the Ti-Cats defence has to step up eventually.
Stephen Paish
B.C. Lions 28 – Hamilton Tiger-Cats 24
No Brandon Banks, no Jalen Saunders, call me skeptical but I don’t think that Luke Tasker and Mike Jones will be enough to overcome a Lions defence that was second best in the league in reducing opponent passing yards and completions. Travis Lulay won’t light the world on fire, but he will do enough to carry the Lions to victory.
Jeff Burns
B.C. Lions 28 – Hamilton Tiger-Cats 17
Ti-Cats have too many injuries to overcome and Lions win one for Wally.
West Semi-Final
Stephen Bolen
Saskatchewan Roughriders 25 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24
Brett Lauther has been the hero for the Roughriders all season long. This doesn’t change Sunday as he kicks the game-winning field goal with time expiring to send the Riders to McMahon.
Nik Kowalski
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 33 – Saskatchewan Roughriders 29
Crazy things happen when these prairie rivals meet, so why not predict a 62-point game?
Stephen Paish
Saskatchewan Roughriders 35 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers 21
Chris Jones was so concerned with finding out if he could make a great defence he never stopped to think if he should. Willie Jefferson and co will be too much for Matt Nichols and the Bombers to handle. Even with a suspect QB, the Riders win this one easily on the strength of 7+ points from the defence.
Jeff Burns
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 27 – Saskatchewan Roughriders 21
Bombers seem to be healthy and are hitting on all cylinders at the right time. Expect them to pull out the upset in Regina.
East Final
Stephen Bolen
Ottawa Redblacks 35 – Hamilton Tiger-Cats 20
Ottawa has been hot and cold all season long, but it landed them first in the East. Being just one win away from appearing in their second Grey Cup in three years, Trevor Harris and the Redblacks put on a show. This one isn’t close from the start.
Nik Kowalski
Ottawa Redblacks 34 – Hamilton Tiger-Cats 14
The Redblacks are healthier and Trevor Harris will have a chip on his shoulder after the M.O.P. snub.
Stephen Paish
B.C. Lions 34 – Ottawa Redblacks 21
This will be the year a Western Division team finally breaks through and wins the East Final. Ottawa is too vanilla. They played many a lacklustre game throughout the season and were middling in many offensive and defensive stat categories. BC is getting hot just at the right time and they have arguably the greatest coach in CFL history on their side. On to Edmonton!
Jeff Burns
Ottawa Redblacks 31 – B.C. Lions 15
Lions have had a difficult time on the road this season and that shows up in this contest. Redblacks cruise to victory and face the Stamps in a 104th Grey Cup rematch from 2016
West Final
Stephen Bolen
Saskatchewan Roughriders 32 – Calgary Stampeders 26
Another playoff disappointment for the Calgary Stampeders is in store for 2018. A decimated receiving corps plays right into Jones’ hands as the Roughriders defence stands tall once again. The Roughriders run game grinds down the Stamps en-route to their first Grey Cup appearance in five years.
Nik Kowalski
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23 – Calgary Stampeders 18
Bo Levi Mitchell can’t do it all. Mike O’Shea’s club finally gets to the big dance.
Stephen Paish
Saskatchewan Roughriders 28 – Calgary Stampeders 25
The time is now for these Saskatchewan Roughriders. Calgary stumbled into the playoffs by losing 3 of 4. With a decimated receiver corps staring down what may be remembered as one of the all-time great scoring defences in league history the Stampeders see their streak of playoff futility continue.
Jeff Burns
Calgary Stampeders 33 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers 20
Stamps are a motivated group and their defence dominates in a home victory.
Grey Cup
Stephen Bolen
Saskatchewan Roughriders 29 – Ottawa Redblacks 27
An instant classic in Edmonton as Brett Lauther boots his second game-winning field goal in three playoff games. Despite going 0-2 in the season series against Ottawa, the Roughriders defence holds Harris and the Redblacks to multiple field goals instead of touchdowns, keeping it close enough to ensure a chance at Rider victory.
Nik Kowalski
Ottawa Redblacks 28 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers 19
The Redblacks match up well with Winnipeg. Bombers fail to win three straight out West.
Stephen Paish
Saskatchewan Roughriders 27 – B.C. Lions 19
What a storyline. The BC lions turned their season around and ran the grind of playing on the road in the East to give Wally Buono one last chance at a championship. It would be a storybook victory. Unfortunately, some dreams just don’t come true. Defence wins championships and this Roughrider defence will win them their 5th Grey Cup.
Jeff Burns
Calgary Stampeders 38 – Ottawa Redblacks 33
Stamps avenge the 2016 Grey Cup loss to the Redblacks by beating them in 2018 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. Bo Levi is named Grey Cup MVP.
The Last Word
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