Your one-stop shop for all things Division Finals
The stakes couldn’t be higher for all four teams remaining in the quest to get to the 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw.
A win and you head to Ottawa. A loss and you head home.
For you, however, it’s a little easier. Cozy up on the couch, grab you favourite snack and settle in for a day full of football.
Here is everything you need to know before kickoff on Sunday.
SET YOUR FANTASY TEAM
If you haven’t been playing TSN CFL Fantasy presented by AGF, it’s not too late. It’s not too late to join a league to beat your friends and colleagues or to get stressed out about who to start each and every week (Okay, that last one might just be me…)
Click here to set your Division Finals roster and make sure you head here for fantasy content including advice on who you should start and who you should sit.
TUNE INTO #CFLTHISWEEK
Join the #CFLTHISWEEK squad from the tailgate in Toronto at 11:30 a.m. ET on Sunday to get you set for both Division Final matchups.
Did you miss last week’s episode from the tailgate in Ottawa before the Semi-Finals? No worries. We got you. Click here to rewatch it.
BET ON THE ROAD WARRIORS
I’m talking about the Edmonton Eskimos and Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Riders did not go home for the week in between their Eastern Semi-Final win last Sunday and the Eastern Final in Toronto this weekend. They’re staying together as a team in Ottawa, practicing at the Carleton Ravens practice facility at the University of Ottawa. A week of team bonding is sure to help the squad out, I mean they have already started an R&B band (coming soon to a stage near you?).
Oh, and not to mention earlier this season when Saskatchewan played back-to-back road games in Ottawa and then Toronto, they stayed East. They didn’t go home. And guess what? They won both games. *sips tea*
And what about the Edmonton Eskimos, you say? I’ll tell ya.
Edmonton has not lost a game since Week 15. They’re riding a six-game winning streak at the perfect time of the year. Yes, Mike Reilly is the star of the show. The dude isn’t in the running for Most Outstanding Player for nothing.
But I think the catalyst to the team heating up late in the season is running back C.J. Gable. They haven’t lost with him in their lineup and he’s racked up 474 yards and four touchdowns on the ground and 136 yards and a major through the air in five games since joining the team (remember he sat out of Week 18 with an injury). He’s also got the intangibles that you can’t really track with stats – like pass protection and blocks like this one where he absolutely destroys Jackson Jeffcoat helping give Reilly time to find Adarius Bowman in the end zone for the score. He’ll be the x factor in helping the Esks to win on Sunday. Just watch.
BUT ALSO BET ON THE HOME TEAMS
Okay, okay. I know the Stampeders and Argonauts fans are reeeallly mad at me right now after reading that last point. Don’t worry. You won’t be in a second.
For Toronto fans: James. Wilder. Jr.
I seriously don’t need to say anything else. Wilder has become one of the most, if not the most, dangerous players on a CFL field over the last two months. Since Week 13, he has collected 700 (!!!) yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Not to mention the 441 yards through the air over that same time span. Saskatchewan will have their hands full trying to contain him in the back field leaving time and space for Ricky Ray to toss to his arsenal of weapons down field. (Hey, S.J. Green, Armanti Edwards, DeVier Posey, Declan Cross and Anthony Coombs.)
And the Calgary Stampeders. Don’t fret. With a defence like yours, you should feel confident heading into Sunday. With Alex Singleton going head-to-head with Gable, Micah Johnson and Charleston Hughes getting up in Reilly’s business and Josh Bell, Jamar Wall and co. covering the receivers down field, you’ll be just fine. And all you’ll have to do is leave it to Bo Levi Mitchell to do what Bo Levi Mitchell does.
GET TO KNOW YOUR FAVOURITE PLAYERS
Because why wouldn’t you want to know what Bo Levi Mitchell’s favourite football memory is or what Lirim Hajrullahu likes to do in his spare time? I found out the answers to those questions (and a lot more) for you. You’re welcome in advance.
REP YOUR TEAM COLOURS
Are you a Stampeders fan? How about a Saskatchewan lover? Toronto your team? Or are you part of the Eskimos #OneEmpire?
Whatever team you are rooting for on Sunday, you’ve gotta rep the team colours.
You can also get something like these amazing Roughriders shoes. I kind of need a pair.. in all nine team colours.
TWEET ALONG WITH US
Chat with us @CFL (or you can tweet me @kcostabile1) during both the Eastern and Western Final and make sure to use the hashtag #GreyCup #OneEmpire #GoStampsGo #RiderPride and #ArgosFootball!
