CFL: Playoff scenarios – A close Western race is now even tighter in Week 19

| American Football | 10/15/2018

TORONTO — A triple header on Saturday turned what was already an interesting playoff race in the West into one of the tightest runs to the post-season in recent memory.  A stunning win by BC over Calgary not only postponed the Stamps’ chances of clinching the division but put the pressure on the Bombers, Esks and Riders for playoff positioning.

In the East, it is a two-horse race to see who will finish first.  We know that both Ottawa and Hamilton will host a game but who earns the bye is still very much up the air. Ottawa`s loss to Edmonton has them tied with Hamilton and ultimately it will come down to Week 19 and 20 when the two clubs play a home-and-home to decide the division.  Ottawa currently holds the tie-breaker with one game over Hamilton earlier in the season.

Here are the playoff scenarios for Week 19:

East Division Scenarios

  • Playoff position cannot be determined this week.

West Division Scenarios

  • Calgary win or tie = Calgary clinches first place in the West division and will host Western Final on November 18
  • BC win = BC clinches a playoff berth
  • Saskatchewan win + BC loss or tie = Saskatchewan secures a home playoff date

Who has clinched a playoff berth

  • Calgary Stampeders
  • Ottawa REDBLACKS
  • Hamilton Tiger-Cats
  • Saskatchewan Roughriders

Who has been eliminated from playoff contention

  • Montreal Alouettes
  • Toronto Argonauts

If the playoffs started today (Oct. 14) …

Western Semi-Final: Winnipeg at Saskatchewan
Western Final: TBD at Calgary

Eastern Semi-Final: Edmonton at Hamilton
Eastern Final: TBD at Ottawa

Out of the playoffs: BC, Toronto, Montreal

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