THE CANADIAN PRESS
CFL.ca Staff
TORONTO — After correctly picking the matchup in the 103rd Grey Cup presented by Shaw, the CFL.ca writers will look to nail down the winner on Sunday in Winnipeg between the REDBLACKS and Eskimos.
It’s a matchup of two of the hottest teams and both are strong on all sides of the ball, as collectively they’ve won 18 of their last 20 games. Edmonton enters the Grey Cup on a nine-game winning streak, undefeated since a Labour Day rematch with Calgary when Mike Reilly returned from injury to make just his second start of the season.
The resurgent REDBLACKS, meanwhile, are the underdog entering the weekend but have been no less impressive coming in. They’ve won nine of their last 11 games and boast arguably the CFL’s top player in Most Outstanding Player Henry Burris, who’s coming off the best statistical season of his career.
Neither team sits outside the top three in any statistical category, as the Eskimos are ranked first overall on defence and third overall on offence. The REDBLACKS own the CFL’s top offence and the second overall defence.
Of particular interest will be the duel between Chris Jones’ league-leading defence against Burris and a receiving corps that includes four 1,000-yard receivers.
In the battle of immovable object vs. unstoppable force, something has to give.
Here’s what the CFL.ca writers are saying along with fans on Pick ‘Em:
Steinberg Landry Morris Nye Cauz Pedersen
Dunk
The Eskimos are the clear favourite and have been all week, but in a battle of the league’s two hottest teams it’s hard to dismiss the REDBLACKS. Henry Burris and Ottawa’s offence are on fire, especially after putting up 35 points against an elite Hamilton defence including a 93-yard game-winning touchdown from Greg Ellingson in the game’s final minutes.
Ottawa’s defence shouldn’t be overlooked either after finishing second in total yards and leading the CFL in sacks. The REDBLACKS’ front four led by Justin Capicciotti and Shawn Lemon may just be the nastiest in the league and could accomplish what the Stampeders failed to do in the Western Final: Make Mike Reilly uncomfortable.
On the other hand, the Esks have been the immovable object ever since Reilly returned to the lineup after Labour Day. They’ve beaten the defending Grey Cup Champion Stampeders three times since then, while they’re well-rested having played only two games over the span of almost 30 days.
Both teams will have their best players on the field while the quarterbacks, Burris and Reilly, are among the CFL’s most exciting. Will the Eskimos continue their roll, or will the REDBLACKS pull off a Grey Cup upset and kick off a celebration in the nation’s capital?
CFL Playoff Pick ‘Em: It all comes down to this
While the action is heating up on the field ahead of the 103rd Grey Cup presented by Shaw, CFL Pick ‘Em is back for the playoffs and tougher than ever. It all comes down to one game for a chance to win the tropical vacation of a lifetime presented by RedTag Vacations.
Pick the right team, pick with full confidence and hit on your tiebreakers as the stakes are higher than ever.
