There are just four weeks remaining in the CFL regular season, and after a solid slate in Week 17, we’ve got four games on tap in Week 18, with doubleheaders on both Friday and Saturday night.
This #TotalPickEm column is intended to give you some insight into the matchups, but for full breakdowns be sure to visit the main page of CFL.ca for comprehensive resources.
Friday | Ottawa at Toronto
Week 18 opens with a matchup between two teams who are on the outside of the playoff picture.
Toronto has been eliminated from playoff contention. Ottawa would be out depending on how the Edmonton-BC game pans out on Saturday. Will Arndt will be the man under centre for the REDBLACKS while it’s still unclear whether James Franklin or McLeod Bethel-Thompson will lead the Argos’ offence.
The second of three matchups between the two teams will likely be for bragging rights. They’ve got another head-to-head in Week 20 to finish off their season series.
Friday | Saskatchewan at Calgary
Another game with big implications on the West standings will take place to finish off the Wednesday doubleheader.
Saskatchewan vaulted Calgary in the standings with their victory against Winnipeg in Week 17. Cody Fajardo and Bo Levi Mitchell will go one-on-one for the first time this year. This will also serve as a showcase of two of the best defences in the league.
While neither team could clinch the West Division crown with a winning result in this game, it would go a long way to deciding who will host the Western Final.
Saturday | Montreal at Winnipeg
To open the Saturday doubleheader, Montreal and Winnipeg will go head-to-head to finish off their season series — the first iteration gave us one of the best comebacks in recent memory.
The Bombers got some added depth at quarterback, acquiring Zach Collaros from the Argonauts on Wednesday, but it’ll still be Chris Streveler at the helm in this game. He’ll go up against the Montreal defence, which held Calgary scoreless in the second half in Week 17 and piled up two sacks, three fumbles, and an interception in the win.
Both teams have clinched a playoff spot, but Montreal will be trying to gain some ground on the Ticats while the Bombers will be looking for their first win since Week 13.
Saturday | BC at Edmonton
It’s a massive game that could decide the crossover playoff spot to finish off Week 18.
The Lions are on a roll, winning their last four games — with that run being bookended by a 55-8 win over Toronto. The Eskimos have won just once in their last five outings. Logan Kilgore will likely be under centre again for the Esks while Mike Reilly and the suddenly hot Lions offence will oppose them.
With a win, the Esks would clinch the crossover spot and eliminate the Lions from postseason contention in the process.
