TORONTO — It took until the 82nd game of the season but we now know how the Shaw Road to the Grey Cup will begin as the stage is set for pair of semi-final games now locked in.
A Winnipeg win Friday night sets up the Bombers’ first home playoff date since 2011. Their opponents, the Edmonton Eskimos, earned their way into the contest after a road win in Saskatchewan Saturday night. The Riders will cross over to the East to take on the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
The Toronto Argonauts and Calgary Stampeders, meanwhile, will wait to determine their opponent in the Eastern and Western Finals on Nov. 19.
All games can be seen on TSN and RDS, as the post-season culminates with the 105th Grey Cup Championship presented by Shaw at Ottawa’s TD Place on Nov. 26.
PLAYOFF TICKETS
» Eastern Semi-Final: Saskatchewan at Ottawa
» Western Semi-Final: Edmonton at Winnipeg
» Eastern Final: TBD at Toronto
» Western Final: TBD at Calgary
The action starts on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 1:00 p.m. ET when Ottawa hosts Saskatchewan in the Eastern Semi-Final. These two teams split their two games this season, both winning on the road in contests that were decided by one score.
A rare cross-division duel offers intrigue in the nation’s capital, with Ottawa and Saskatchewan entering the post-season as two of the CFL’s three hottest teams. The REDBLACKS, well-rested after their Week 20 bye, go into Sunday on a three-game winning streak, while the Riders have won eight of 12 games to double their 2016 win total at 10-8.
While Trevor Harris put his autumn struggles behind him to get the REDBLACKS in the playoffs, the second-year Ottawa pivot enters uncharted waters, making his first career post-season start. Meanwhile, Kevin Glenn and Canadian Brandon Bridge continue to share quarterback duties in Regina, making a must-watch storyline this week.
Heading west, the Eskimos travel to Winnipeg, which will see its first home playoff game at the newly-built Investors Group Field.
The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Eskimos have bounced between long winning and losing streaks in 2017, but the good news for Jason Maas’ club is the team has won five straight games entering post-season play. The addition of C.J. Gable has injected new life into the Eskimos’ offence, which is averaging more than 30 points per game over the current winning streak.
The Bombers, on the other hand, have backed into the playoffs, needing a win in their season finale to lock up a home playoff game — but they won’t be intimidated. Winnipeg swept the two-game season series with Edmonton, while Matt Nichols has enjoyed a career year and Andrew Harris has set an all-time record for his involvement in the passing game.
There’s a lot to like about both of these matchups, with it all kicking off on Nov. 12 in Ottawa — the same spot the eventual Grey Cup Champion will be crowned.
For wall to wall coverage on the road to the Grey Cup, CFL.ca has you covered with all the latest insight, analysis and breaking news throughout the playoffs.
