CFL PLAYOFFS WEEK 2 PREVIEW & PICKS

BY ADAM GREENE

This is officially our 23rd week of  Canadian Football and we’ve survived it thus far. We might as well battle all the way to the end.

Luckily, we have the odds, lines and totals with which to make focusing in on the football played in the great white north worth our time.

PLAYOFF BRACKET

1. TORONTO ARGONAUTS (16-2)

After finishing the regular season 16-2, matching the 1989 Edmonton Elks with the best regular season record in CFL history, the Argonauts have a chance to officially become the best Canadian Football League team ever — that Elks team (they weren’t called the Elks then) lost in the CFL West Final to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. If the Argos win it all, they’ll officially be the greatest team in CFL history.

2. WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (14-4)

Last season, in the CFL West final, the Blue Bombers outlasted the BC Lions, 28-20. This year they’ll have to do it again as the Lions come to town for a rematch after knocking off the Calgary Stampeders.

3. BC LIONS (13-6)

The Lions spent most of the season looking like one of the best teams in the league, only to falter when it mattered. Last season, they fell just eight points short against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to reach the Grey Cup final. They get another shot at the same team again this week.  

4. MONTREAL ALOUETTES (12-7)

As one of only four teams in the CFL to finish the regular season with a winning record, it’s not a surprise to see the Alouettes make the final four. What could shock the world, or at least the world above the great ice wall, is to see Montreal knock off Toronto and make it to the Grey Cup final.

5. HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (8-11)

Another playoff appearance and another playoff run ended by the Alouettes. Last season Hamilton made it a game, losing by 11. This year, they fell by 15.

6. CALGARY STAMPEDERS (6-13)

There’s an argument to be made that Calgary shouldn’t have even made the playoffs, but, to be fair, they did put up a better performance in a 41-30 loss to the BC Lions than they did in the same game, to the same team, last season.

SATURDAY

EASTERN FINAL

MONTREAL ALOUETTES AT TORONTO ARGONAUTS (-10.5, O/U: 50.5)

The Alouettes took care of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the opening round of the playoffs, winning 27-12 in a game where they held the Ti-Cats out of the endzone for the entire game. Cody Fajardo had one of his best performances of the season, going 15 of 23 passing for 212 yards, two touchdowns and a pick in the win. He rushed four times for 62 yards. William Stanback carried the ball 18 times for 95 yards. Tyler Snead caught two passes for 50 yards. Austin Mack had three receptions for 46 yards and a TD. Jake Harty caught three balls for 31 yards and a score. On defense, Darnell Sankey recorded eight tackles, two sacks and a pick. Reggie Stubblefield had seven tackles. Lwal Uguak, Shawn Lemon and Tyrice Beverette all had five tackles apiece. Dionte Ruffin had four tackles and a forced fumble. Lemon added two sacks. Mustafa Johnson had three tackles and a sack.

Two weeks ago the Argonauts wrapped up their regular season with a 27-22 win over the Ottawa Redblacks playing only their backups. Toronto, with that victory, matched the 1989 Edmonton Elks for the best regular season record in CFL history. Cameron Dukes, getting the start for a resting Chad Kelly, was 22 of 34 passing for 317 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the win. He led the team rushing with eight carries for 39 yards. Davud Ungerer III caught six passes for 88 yards. Dejon Brissett had one 61-yard touchdown reception. Richard Dindani had five receptions for 57 yards. Adarius Pickett led the defense with eight tackles and a sack. Jamal Peters recorded five tackles with two for a loss. Benjie Franklin had four tackles, a pick and a forced fumble. Jonathan Jones had four tackles and a sack. Mason Pierce had four tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. Thomas Costigan had three tackles and a forced fumble. Brandon Barlow had two tackles and a sack.

The Argos are already the greatest team in CFL history, having won 18 Grey Cups in 24 tries. They’re the favorites to do it again for good reason and should knock off Montreal with no issues after a week’s rest. Argonauts 34, Alouettes 23

WESTERN FINAL

BC LIONS AT WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (-4.5, O/U: 50)

Last week the Lions survived a pretty good offensive performance from an overmatched Calgary Stampeders squad, wining 41-30 in the opening round of the CFL playoffs. Vernon Adams, Hr. was terrific under center, going 28 of 39 passing for 413 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the win. He led the team in rushing with seven carries for 54 yards and three scores. Keon Hatcher caught nine passes for 195 yards and a TD. Jevon Cottoy hauled in six balls for 63 yards and a touchdown. Taquan Mizzell had five receptions for 54 yards. Josh Woods led the D with 11 tackles, all for a loss. TJ Lee had five tackles. Marcus Sayles had three tackles and a pick. David Menard had a tackle and a sack.

Winnipeg got to enjoy their first-round bye after obliterating the Calgary Stampeders 36-13 in the regular season finale two weeks ago. The Blue Bombers tossed out their backups most of the game, but it didn’t matter. Drue Brown was 13 of 17 passing for 278 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the victory. Dakota Prukop mopped up with a 4 of 8 passing performance for 28 yards. He also scored a touchdown on the ground. Johnny Augustine rushed 15 times for 87 yards. Rasheed Bailey caught two passes for 81 yards and a score. Drew Wolitarsky hauled in five balls for 71 yards. Brendan O’Leary-Orange had two receptions for 62 yards and a TD. Shayne Gauthier led the defense with four tackles. Miles Fox had three tackles and a sack. Tanner Schmekel had a tackle and a sack.

You’d like to believe the CFL season wouldn’t end exactly the same way it did in 2022, but the teams are virtually the same, and the results should be too. Blue Bombers 31. Lions 23

Last week

Straight up: 2-0

Against the spread: 2-0

Season

Straight up: 60-22

Against the spread: 44-38

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

Connect with us our socials on Twitter and Instagram for the latest sports news, viral moments, betting odds and the occasional memes.