CFL Update For Early Thanksgiving Day (Canada) 2023

   

Okay, so once again, I should probably have given more consistent updates on the CFL, because too much of the season wound up passing. Still, here is my attempt to catch up.

So here goes: 

Winnipeg 34, British Columbia 26 - The Blue Bombers went on the road to Vancouver and played a hugely important game against the BC Lions, which went a long way towards determining who would come away with the top seed in the West Division. It was tight, and ultimately was decided in overtime. But it was Winnipeg who wound up winning, to go fully up a game over the Lions, with two games remaining on the schedules for both teams. The Blue Bombers (12-4) next host the Elks (4-12), before finishing their season with a road trip to Calgary (4-11). Both of those teams rank amongst the worst in the CFL, so you have to figure that Winnipeg is in good shape to capture another West Division title, and the number one seed out West. The Lions (11-5) meanwhile have a tough one next when they travel to Hamilton (8-8) before closing their season out by hosting Calgary. 

Toronto 35, Edmonton 12 - No real surprises here. The 13-2 Argonauts, who enjoyed the best record in the CFL, quickly and easily dispatched with 4-12 Edmonton, who have shown little to no life for the past couple of seasons or so. Meanwhile, Toronto has been the dominant team in the CFL all season long, and long ago clinched the East Division title, and the number one seed in the playoffs. They play two games against Ottawa and one against Saskatchewan to close out their regular season, and will be the number seed in the East. 

Hamilton 38, Saskatchewan 13 - Another game that really served as no surprise. These two franchises are going in the opposite direction. The 8-8 Tiger-Cats have been hot late in the season, suddenly trying to catch the Alouettes, while the 6-10 Roughriders have been sliding after a decent start this season. This was their fifth straight loss, and despite home field advantage, they were not able to keep it close. The Ti-Cats cruised to an easy victory, and continue to keep the pressure on Montreal for home field advantage in their inevitable playoff meeting. 

Montreal 29, Ottawa 3 - The 9-7 Alouettes completely dominated this game. Yet, this was not reflected on the scoreboard through the first half. Montreal spent most of the first half with a slim 1-0 lead, before finally scoring a touchdown late in the second quarter to give themselves some cushion. They never looked exactly explosive on offense, but they did add some points in the second half, and their defense was crushing, scoring some points to help the Alouettes with more cushion as this game wore on. The 4-12 Redblacks offense never seemed to provide a serious threat, managing a field goal that just avoided a shutout, rather than posing any kind of serious threat for a comeback. This loss by Ottawa officially knocks them out of the playoffs, while the win for the Alouettes keeps them as the number two in the East, although Hamilton is really nipping at their heels. The Alouettes will travel to Edmonton before closing out their season by hosting the Ti-Cats in a huge showdown that may - perhaps probably - will decide who gets to host the big playoff showdown between the two teams.