With the 2015 CFL season entering it’s final four weeks, we have lots still to decide. Week 17 gives us some huge matchups that will go a long way in figuring out the final playoff spot. It also has some new players and a marquee matchup. Let’s countdown the top three stories this week.
3. Taking care of business
The Edmonton Eskimos are absolutely in the driver’s seat to win the West Division. With three games remaining in their season, the Esks not only hold the tiebreaker on the Calgary Stampeders, they also face a rather favourable schedule down the stretch. Edmonton doesn’t play a team over the .500 mark for the rest of the season, meaning the Esks have three games they’re supposed to win.
In reality, it’s not going to be a walk in the park. The Eskimos welcome BC on Saturday night and should be expecting a very desperate opponent. The Lions are fighting for their playoff lives and sit in a tenuous postseason spot at best.
As such, BC has to play all of its remaining games like must-wins, making the Lions a dangerous out for an Eskimos team that has already clinched. Edmonton wants to win the West and if it can play its game and take care of teams below in the standings, the Eskimos will do just that.
2. Marquee matchup
Saturday afternoon’s showdown in Toronto between the Argonauts and the Calgary Stampeders has all the makings of a pretty hard fought game. Both teams are fighting for titles in their respective divisions and both teams need to put together some wins to ensure that happens. On top of that, the last two times these teams met, we were treated to a pretty fun game all the way back in Week 3.
The thing I’ll really be watching for this week is Calgary’s defensive group. That unit really is beat up right now with players like Juwan Simpson and Fred Bennett sidelined by injury. The Stamps are facing one of the CFL’s best and most efficient quarterbacks and an offensive unit that’s really clicking right now. With Trevor Harris at the helm, I think the Argos have the edge.
1. Timely debut
The Montreal Alouettes need a win and they need it soon. Behind the eight ball to qualify for the postseason, the Als have acquired quarterback Kevin Glenn from Saskatchewan. Glenn isn’t the long-term answer in Montreal and he’s not going to transform the Alouettes’ offence. But what Glenn will do is bring some veteran stability to a team and position that needs it desperately right now.
The Alouettes have been free falling over the last month or so, losing four of their last five games and turning a nice playoff position into a long shot. Glenn has been in these situations before and also is a capable game manager. Don’t forget that Glenn has been on a team having a dismal season, so the chance to play for a group still fighting for a playoff spot could be a huge motivating factor.
Montreal hosts Hamilton on Sunday and we’ll see if Glenn can make a difference for a team in need of a jolt.
