James Paddle-Grant/CFL.ca
TORONTO — The CFL playoff picture is starting to come into focus.
The Ottawa REDBLACKS, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the BC Lions all clinched playoff spots in Week 18. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers secured a home playoff berth as well, as they inched closer to claiming their fourth straight first-place West Division finish.
The REDBLACKS return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2018 season. The Roughriders will make their playoff return after a two-year absence. The Lions have secured their third consecutive playoff appearance.
The following scenarios were in play this week:
EAST DIVISION
- HAM LOSS = OTT clinches post-season berth
WEST DIVISION
- WPG WIN and SSK LOSS = WPG claims division title; earns the right to host the Western Final at Princess Auto Stadium on Saturday, November 9 at 6:30 p.m. ET
- WPG WIN or SSK LOSS or BC LOSS = WPG secures home playoff date
- SSK WIN and CGY LOSS and HAM LOSS = SSK clinches post-season berth
- BC WIN and HAM LOSS and EDM LOSS = BC clinches post-season berth
CROSSOVER RULE
If the fourth-place team in Division A – A4 – has more points than the third-place team in Division B – B3 (they cannot be tied), A4 will cross over and take the place of B3 in terms of playoff seeding. A4 will then compete against B2 in the Division B Semi-Final.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
- In Week 17, Montreal clinched the East Division title for the first time since 2012.
- In Week 17, Winnipeg secured a playoff berth for an eighth consecutive season.
