November 10, 2017

CFL.ca Game Notes: A look at the Division Semi-Finals

The Canadian Press

TORONTO — The regular season is in the books and the first round of playoffs gets under way on Sunday.

Things get started in Ottawa as the Roughriders and REDBLACKS battle in the Eastern Semi-Final. The Riders will be looking to become the first crossover team to make the Grey Cup starting with a win in the nation’s capital.

Naaman Roosevelt will make his return to the field for Saskatchewan giving Kevin Glenn, or Brandon Bridge, another target on offence.

Running back Trent Richardson could be making his return this week giving Chris Jones plenty of options in the back field including Richardson, Marcus Thigpen, Shakir Bell, Cameron Marshall and Kienan LaFrance. Defensive back Ed Gainey could be a game changer for the visiting team as he looks to continue his 10-interception performance in the post-season.

For the REDBLACKS, Trevor Harris will be making his first ever start in the playoffs. He’ll have to use the pressure to his advantage if he wants to get a win in front of his home crowd. Running back William Powell will be leaned on heavily as well as receiver Josh Stangby, who makes his return this weekend. Who will come out on top?

Things then move to Winnipeg as the Blue Bombers host their first home playoff game since 2011. While the Eskimos have said publicly that they think they are the favourites, don’t count out the Blue Bombers. Winnipeg has the duel threat of Andrew Harris in the back field and he will be looked upon on the ground and through the air.

The big question surrounds Matt Nichols and whether or not the quarterback will be ready to play this weekend after missing the team’s season finale last week. The Bombers defence, including ball hawks T.J. Heath and Chris Randle, has been dangerous all season and will look to expose Mike Reilly’s offence. Edmonton, on the other hand, boasts a stellar receiving corps including Adarius Bowman, Derel Walker and Brandon Zylstra.

Winnipeg’s front seven will have to try and contain the Esks’ ground game which includes running back C.J. Gable and Reilly, who is known to call his own number quite often. Will the Bombers eliminate the red-hot Eskimos or will Edmonton get one step closer to the 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw?


Buy Division Semi-Final Tickets 

» Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET: Saskatchewan at Ottawa
» Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET: Edmonton at Winnipeg


THIS WEEK IN THE CFL

EASTERN SEMI-FINAL

Here is some history between the Riders and REDBLACKS:

  • The Ottawa Rough Riders defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 23-20 in the 1976 Grey Cup game, considered one of the most exciting CFL Championship games in history. It was the last Ottawa team to win it all until the REDBLACKS brought the Cup back to Ottawa last year.
  • Ottawa also defeated Saskatchewan in the 1969 Grey Cup game, winning 29-11 at Montreal’s Autostade on November 30. In all, Ottawa is 3-1 against Saskatchewan in championship games.
  • In their brief history, the Ottawa Renegades were 3-5 against Saskatchewan, going 2-2 at home and 1-3 in Regina.
  • The REDBLACKS are 3-5 all-time against Saskatchewan in the regular season. The two teams have never met in the playoffs.
  • The Ottawa Rough Riders were 20-33 all-time against Saskatchewan.

A comparison of head coaches and quarterback playoff records between Saskatchewan and Ottawa:

Saskatchewan Roughiders Ottawa REDBLACKS
Chris Jones (2-1)  Head Coaches’ Playoff Records Rick Campbell (2-0)
Kevin Glenn (4-7) QB Playoff Records Trevor Harris (0-0)

WESTERN SEMI-FINAL

A comparison of head coaches and quarterback playoff records between the Eskimos and Blue Bombers:

Edmonton Eskimos Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Jason Maas (1-1) Head Coaches Playoff Records Mike O’Shea (0-1)
Mike Reilly (2-2) QB Playoff Records Matt Nichols (1-1)


DIVISION SEMI-FINAL GAME NOTES

Home Field Advantage?: Ottawa has a chance to play in the Grey Cup at home. The last time they played a Grey Cup at home was in 1940 when they played against Balmy Beach. Ottawa won a two-game total points Grey Cup. 20-7.

Crossover: Saskatchewan crosses over for the third time themselves and the 10th time since the rule was implemented in 1996. BC was the first team to crossover during the 1997 season. Only three teams made it to the Division Final (Edmonton twice including last year and 2016, 2008 and BC 2009). BC remains the crossover leader with four trips. No crossover team has made it to the Grey Cup.

This is the second -time the crossover rule has been invoked two straight seasons. The other time was 2008 and 2009.

Road Warriors: Edmonton will be the first 12-win team to ever finish in third place and start the playoffs on the road.

LeFevour: If Dan LeFevour starts for Winnipeg this weekend, it will be the quarterback’s first career playoff start. He dressed in two playoff games with Hamilton and completed four of seven passes for 40 yards. He is 3-5 in regular season starts in his career.