TORONTO — Who can change a game in a single play?
There are a select few of those guys around the CFL and on Sunday, with seasons on the line, those will be the players to watch.
We know that when it comes to the Edmonton Eskimos, Mike Reilly, Adarius Bowman and Derel Walker are going to have a major say in the outcome of the football game. Ditto for Jonathon Jennings and Emmanuel Arceneaux for the Lions.
But who are the X-factors in the CFL playoffs — the ones that fly under the radar but could easily come out and make the difference?
In a league so unpredictable, we look at one defensive and one offensive X-factor on every team playing this weekend:
| EDMONTON ESKIMOS | |
| OFFENCE | DEFENCE |
| Brandon Zylstra, REC | Kenny Ladler, LB |
 Kenny Ladler could be in position to make big plays vs. the Ticats on Sunday (THE CANADIAN PRESS) |
|
Brandon Zylstra, REC
Zylstra has emerged as a No. 3 threat in the Esks’ offence the last two months of the season, recording 508 yards and three touchdowns on 34 catches over his first six games as a pro.
With Derel Walker and Adarius Bowman drawing plenty of attention no matter who the opponent, the 23-year-old Spicer, Minn. native has the potential to wreak havoc against opposing defences.
Kenny Ladler, LB
While he hasn’t made a ton of big plays for the Eskimos’ defence, the potential is there for Ladler to make a significant impact very suddenly.
The 24-year-old had 70 tackles, two interceptions and a touchdown in 2016 and is athletic, is around the ball often and will be ready to capitalize if the Esks’ defensive front can force Zach Collaros to make a mistake.
| HAMILTON TIGER-CATS | |
| OFFENCE | DEFENCE |
| Kevin Elliott, REC | Adrian Tracy, DE |
 Adrian Tracy helps form one of the most imposing D-lines in the CFL (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca) |
|
Kevin Elliott, REC
Brandon Banks makes plenty of sense here but maybe that’s too obvious. Another choice is Elliott, who should have a key role in the Ticats’ offence behind go-to receiver Terrence Toliver.
Elliott picked up 220 yards and a touchdown in his first three games as a Ticat and his 6-foot-3 frame, combined with the towering Toliver, could make the Ticats’ receiving corps a handful for the Eskimos’ secondary.
Adrian Tracy, DE
The numbers weren’t gaudy (seven sacks in 17 games) but quarterbacks better be aware when the Ticats’ rush end is on the field. Tracy is known for his devastating hits and this year also forced two fumbles while intercepting a pair of passes.
The Ticats’ front seven is as vicious as it gets and Tracy is a big part of that.
| BC LIONS | |
| OFFENCE | DEFENCE |
| Terrell Sinkfield, REC | Loucheiz Purifoy, LB |
 The Lions’ Terrell Sinkfield could be a major X-factor in the 104th Grey Cup Playoffs (The Canadian Press) |
|
Terrell Sinkfield, REC
The Lions added Sinkfield mid-season to add the type of speed to their lineup they didn’t have elsewhere, arguably giving them the most diverse set of pass-catchers in the CFL.
Defences will have to pay close attention to Emmanuel Arceneaux and Bryan Burnham but in the end, Sinkfield will stretch the field and leave defenders in his wake if given the opportunity.
Loucheiz Purifoy, LB
Offences will direct most of their attention to Solomon Elimimian and Adam Bighill and rightly so, but Purifoy can and has changed a football game in an instant.
Purifoy is a playmaker at linebacker for the Lions and forced four fumbles, sacked five quarterbacks and recorded an interception to go with a fumble return touchdown.
| WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS | |
| OFFENCE | DEFENCE |
| Quincy McDuffie, REC/RET | T.J. Heath, DB |
 T.J. Heath has earned his role as a starter in the Bombers’ secondary (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca) |
|
Quincy McDuffie, REC/RET
Kevin Fogg has handled the Bombers’ return duties most of the season but if McDuffie gets to play, expect him to make an impact.
The 26-year-old is electric on returns and just scored on a kickoff return last week against Ottawa.
T.J. Heath, DB
All eyes will be on linebacker Maurice Leggett but Heath also made a significant impact in 2016 as the two Bomber defenders tied for the league lead with seven interceptions.
Heath took over the starting role from Fogg weeks after arriving via trade from Toronto and, keeping in mind that Jonathon Jennings threw five interceptions in two games against Winnipeg, has to be licking his chops on an aggressive Bomber defence.
