CFL 2026 Playoffs Semifinals Weekend Preview

    

Grey Cup/Coupe Grey

Okay, so the 2026 CFL regular season is over now. 

It's playoff time. Three teams - the Calgary Stampeders, the Ottawa Redblacks, and the Hamilton Tigercats -  have already been eliminated from playoff contention. But two more teams will get knocked out this weekend and join those teams for an earlier than desired offseason.

Let's take a look at the upcoming games and my own predictions:

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-9) at Toronto Argonauts (9-9)

Frankly, despite having home field advantage in this one, the Argonauts feel suspect. They ended the season with three straight losses. At a time when you want to be playing your best football, they were on the opposite end of the spectrum. 

Meanwhile, Winnipeg won some beat the playoff bound Lions on the road in Vancouver, as well as the Stampeders (who had been hot at the time) in recent weeks in order to qualify for the postseason. 

That said, however, Toronto's last win happened to be against the Blue Bombers. The two teams split the series at one game apiece.

Still, I believe that momentum often counts for something. So despite the Blue Bombers being on the road, they have a very good chance in this one. But Toronto should come out with a renewed sense of urgency. Expect a tough game, with both teams have their chances. In the end, however, I suspect that the road team will find a way to get by in this one.

My pick: Winnipeg

Saskatchewan Roughriders (10-8) at BC Lions (10 -8)

The Lions were the hottest team in the CFL until just a couple of weeks ago. They lost their final two, both in blowout fashion.

Yet, it does not concern me as much as the three straight losses by Toronto.

Why?

Because the Lions already had everything they could get clinched already. They were not going to catch Edmonton, and they were not really at risk of missing the playoffs or even losing a home game.

That said, Saskatchewan earned two solid, consecutive wins against the two best teams of this CFL regular season, beating both Montreal and then Edmonton. They played solid football, and also are the defending champions. So they certainly have valuable experience on their side.

It could go either way. I could easily picture the Lions winning this one at home, and I also could see the Roughriders repeating the outcome of last year's playoff meeting between these two, which they of course won. 

In the end, I suspect that the champs will bring their A game and squeak out a win.

My pick: Saskatchewan