Berg vs. Ferg: Are the BC Lions for real?

Berg vs. Ferg returns for another season on CFL.ca as columnists Pat Steinberg and Marshall Ferguson debate over some of the league’s most contentious storylines. This week’s question: are the BC Lions a legitimate Grey Cup contender?

TORONTO — With six wins in seven games, the BC Lions are the hottest team in the CFL.

Wally Buono’s final season in the three-down game is shaping up to be a magical one, with his team peaking at exactly the right time and firing on all possible cylinders with just two weeks to go.

However, despite their recent surge, there was plenty of debate when the Lions topped this week’s Nissan Titan Power Rankings, overtaking top spot in the weekly list for the first time this season. Saskatchewan, Winnipeg and Ottawa have all made a strong case for themselves in recent weeks, while the Stamps still boast the CFL’s top record — and a long history of success — even though they’ve dropped two straight.

RELATED:
» Lions top Nissan Titan Power Rankings
» The Weekly Say: Are the Stamps still the favourite?
» View updated standings

So who exactly are the BC Lions, and where can we place them among top contenders for the 106th Grey Cup presented by Shaw? Unlike the Bombers, BC has clinched a playoff spot and has an outside shot at finishing second and hosting a playoff game.

Meanwhile, the Lions don’t appear to have any major weaknesses. Defensively the Lions have been consistent all season, while on offence, Travis Lulay brings a Grey Cup-winning pedigree and the additions of Tyrell Sutton and DeVier Posey have made the Leos a much more dangerous group.

The Lions’ recent success is undeniable, but is it sustainable? Pat Steinberg and Marshall Ferguson weigh in on the latest Berg vs. Ferg:

FERG (12-8): QUESTIONS ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY IN BC

Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca
@TSN_Marsh

The BC Lions of 2018 have truly come out of nowhere for me. I expected in the pre-season for them to be bad and through the first half of the season I just thought the West Division would be far too overwhelming for Wally Buono’s final ride in the orange polo to land a playoff spot.

I was wrong: the Lions are in and appear to be playing at a high level at the right time, but I still don’t believe they are a legitimate contender to win the Grey Cup.

Travis Lulay is an exceptional manager of the football game at this point in his career and needs to carry the Lions into the playoffs, but his injury history limits how aggressive Jarious Jackson can call the offence with change of pace quarterback runs, and the Lions defence has become susceptible to getting beat deep – on double moves primarily – over the last month.

While getting linebackers healthy and trading for another physical running back in Tyrell Sutton from Montreal is a worthwhile cause, these things take a little bit to fully gel in a manner that allows consistent high level play in a playoff situation.

The win at Calgary was an eye opener, and beating Edmonton at home was a marquee memory for this version of the Lions. The question to me remains can they do it against opponents that don’t seem to be sliding the wrong direction?

Ottawa, Winnipeg and Saskatchewan all look primed for a playoff run and while all have their own flaws, I have a hard time favouring many of the Lions’ matchups come November.

BERG (8-12): AS COMPLETE A TEAM AS ANY

Pat Steinberg, CFL.ca
@Fan960Steinberg

The BC Lions are no mirage. With wins in six of their last seven games, the Lions have everything to play for heading into their final two games of the season, including a shot at a home playoff date. But this uptick in form from BC is anything but smoke and mirrors; the Lions are a legitimately good team that could really rattle some cages this post-season.

I really like what we’re seeing from the Lions defensively. In four of their six most recent wins, BC has kept the opposition to 23 points or less, which speaks volumes of how much this group has improved. Defensive Coordinator Mark Washington has done a really nice job in bringing his unit along and they’re now one of the league’s most difficult to pass on.

BC is keeping teams under 255 passing yards per game, which is impressive knowing where things were in the early stages of the season. On top of that, the Lions have some big play ability with the ball hawks they’ve got in the backfield.

Corners Anthony Orange and Winston Rose co-lead the league with five interceptions each, while TJ Lee isn’t that far behind with three. This team is hard to throw on these days, and when you do, they can take the ball away in impressive fashion.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Lions look like they’ve found their missing piece. Running back Tyrell Suton has fit in perfectly since debuting a couple weeks ago; he has a pair of touchdowns and 203 rushing yards in two starts since arriving in BC. Sutton looks like the feature back this offence has been lacking on a consistent basis and the Lions look far more complete with him in the lineup.

Bryan Burnham is one of the most consistently dangerous slot receivers in the league, which positions him nicely as the leader of this group that also includes DeVier Posey and Shaq Johnson. With veteran Travis Lulay playing some solid, reliable ball, the Lions have an offence that can complement what is happening on the defensive side of things.

BC still has everything to play for, and a win by four or more points over Saskatchewan this weekend keeps them in the hunt for a home playoff date. After a mediocre start to the season, the Lions have found their groove at an important time, and what they’re doing right now is legit.

DON’T SIT ON THE FENCE!

While both sides are pretty convincing, someone’s got to take it. Whose argument convinced you the most?

You can vote for this week’s winner both on CFL.ca and Twitter. Meanwhile, continue the conversation by tweeting @Fan960Steinberg and @TSN_Marsh.

The winner will be revealed in the following week’s Berg vs. Ferg.