Team Grades Powered by PFF: Best groups of Week 20

TORONTO — We’re almost at the end of the regular season which means we can get a more clear picture about teams strengths and weaknesses.

The Calgary Stampeders punched their ticket to the post-season with a dominant rushing attack, while the Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers showcased their explosive offences that have been dominant all season.

If you want to know which units to keep an eye on as we head into the playoffs, check out the latest edition of Team Grades Powered by PFF:

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PFF utilizes extensive review of game footage to provide additional context for every action on the field. Highly-trained PFF staff break down every game, player and play to provide over 200 unique data points, which are used to compile Player Grades – a numerical representation up-to-100 of performance at their specific position.

For more information on PFF, Player Grades, the Grading Scale and more, please visit pff.com/grades.

*All player grades required a minimum of 15 snaps played in Week 20 of 2023

Calgary Stampeders (75.3 offensive grade, 77.2 defensive grade)

Key area: 90.9 rushing grade

The Stampeders were able to beat the Lions on the road to clinch a playoff spot in huge part thanks to a running attack that took over the game.

Calgary was first in rushing yards (213), yards after contact (95), rushing touchdowns (three), missed tackles forced (nine) and explosive runs (five). Running back Peyton Logan led all runners in individual grade with 91.6 after rushing for 105 yards and a major over only eight carries.

BC Lions (68.0 offensive grade, 62.6 defensive grade)

Key area: 74.3 pass rushing grade

Defensive lineman Mathieu Betts reached his 18th sack on the season to set a new record by a National and lead a good pass rushing effort for the Lions.

BC led the league in pass rushing win percentage (73.9), while tallying a sack, four hits, six hurries and 12 pressures on only 23 passing snaps.

Toronto Argonauts (75.2 offensive grade, 78.3 defensive grade)

Key area: 86.0 passing grade

Chad Kelly and Cameron Dukes combined to lead the league once more in passing grade.

The Argos were second in passing yards (388), tied for first in big-time throws (three), first in passing first downs (19) and second in adjusted completion percentage (82.9).

Saskatchewan Roughriders (63.5 offensive grade, 61.0 defensive grade)

Key area: 71.7 pass rushing grade

Saskatchewan’s pass rush was one of the bright spots on the team all season and showed up again in Week 20 with the second highest grade among all teams.

Against a stout Toronto front that doesn’t allow a lot of sacks the Riders were able to register two quarterback takedowns, eight hits and seven hurries.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (70.6 offensive grade, 64.7 defensive grade)

Key area: 79.0 pass blocking grade

The Bombers kept both Zach Collaros and Dru Brown clean in the pocket for the entire game against the Elks.

Winnipeg allowed only two pressures over 23 passing snaps, best mark of Week 20. Tackle Stanley Bryant led all offensive lineman in individual pass blocking grade with 83.0 after not allowing a single pressure all game, while centre Chris Kolankowski placed fourth with an 80.4 grade.

Edmonton Elks (62.6 offensive grade, 58.8 defensive grade)

Key area: 72.5 rushing grade

Edmonton’s running game didn’t have a lot of chances to get going as the Bombers were able to build a lead early in the game.

When called upon though the rushing attack was efficient with four first downs and three missed tackles forced in only 13 attempts.

*Grades based on team-performance in Week 20 of 2023

**Cumulative grades based on team-performance in Weeks 1-20 of 2023