East Final
Sunday Nov 20

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: For the last two seasons I’ve picked Hamilton to represent the East in the Grey Cup. Last year, I was wrong, this year, I am still one game away, and while I can’t GUARANTEE a Hamilton win, I can at least predict that they will win.

Brandon: Great back story to this that can be read at TheSpec.com/sports. To sum it up the Ticats have dedicated these playoffs to a teen cancer patient, who will be lucky to see the game this weekend, nevermind if Hamilton is to make it to the Grey Cup. The Ticats have all the inspiration they need and are going to kick some Blue Bomber ass for Jake Rayner!

Dorian: Winnipeg will need to limit Avon Cobourne, throw Kevin Glenn off his game and remove the big play that Hamilton continues to rely on and they will advance to the Grey Cup. Hamilton on the other hand will look to cover down deep to force Pierce to throw short passes and bring heavy pressure. Winnipeg won three over Hamilton in the regular season and say it’s hard to win four straight. It has happened before and will happen again as Winnipeg is off to the Grey Cup.

West Final
Sunday Nov 20

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: When I was a guest on Punt For The Win podcast I picked Saskatchewan to represent the West in the Grey Cup, and I couldn’t have been further from the truth on that, but fear not, the West Final will be a damn good game. Featuring the hottest western team from the first half of the season, and the second half of the season, it’s gonna be good.

With BC leading the season series 3-1, I expect them to lead the post-season series 1-0 after this Sunday, especially since Edmonton will be without Messam.

Brandon: If Lulay can’t get it going. All he has to look for is Bruce or Simon. I doubt all three of them will have a crap game. Plus, Messam is out.

Dorian: For B.C. they need to strike quick and hard against Edmonton and score first to set the tone of the game. B.C. made it to the Western final after starting the season winless after five games before winning eight straight and finishing the season at 11-7. Statistically everything points into B.C.’s favour and will need to be more than perfect if they want to leave Sunday with a trip booked to the 99th Grey Cup. Unfortunately this is B.C.’s destiny to play and host the Grey Cup and nothing Edmonton throws at B.C. will stick.

Results:

Playoffs to Date:

Regular Season:

Grey Cup
November 28, 2010
6:00 PM EST

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: I’m surprised that the Argos beat the Ticats, I really don’t see how they can pull off another upset, this time in Montreal.

Eastern Final

November 21, 2010
1:00PM EST

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: I’m surprised that the Argos beat the Ticats, I really don’t see how they can pull off another upset, this time in Montreal.

Western Final

November 21, 2010
4:30PM EST

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: The Stamps are 2-1 against the Riders this year, and have been dominant for most of the year. I suspect another West Final classic, but with the Stamps coming out on top this year.

Eastern Semi-Final

November 14, 2010
1:00PM EST

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: I’m just going with my gut here and picking the best team.

Western Semi-Final

November 14, 2010
1:00PM EST

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: There are just too many factors here that point to a Riders win; their record against BC this year, the home crowd, Saskatchewan’s playoff experience, and BC’s lack of the same.

Fri
Nov 5

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: Going into a week off prior to the West Final, there’s no way Calgary loses this game off.

Brandon: This is where, I honestly picked Winnipeg. Not caring what the outcome is, I wonder how many people are going to watch this game? I’m guessing not many outside of Calgary and maybe, Winnipeg. I wonder if Winnipeg regrets cutting Kevin Glenn?

Scott: Neither team has anything to play for, and even though the Stampeders are probably going to rest a few players, they need to play a solid game to prepare them for a week off. Although I think it will be close, I think Winnipeg has just lost any desire. Calgary 29-16

Sat
Nov 6

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: BC has more to play for, if they lose, they are out, that alone will motivate them to beat the Ticats who have nothing to play for.

Brandon: On the contrary, Chris. Hamilton has the chance to play spoiler and get payback. While, at the same time getting back on track after getting smacked around by Calgary. Hamilton can end B.C.’s season in heart-breaking fashion, just like what B.C. did at Ivor Wynne in last season’s east semi-final.

Scott: BC has to win. A tie could get them in if Edmonton loses, but that’s not the way they want to do it. Unfortunately Hamilton wants to go out on a winning note and is much better than BC. Expect Hamilton to pull it out in the end. Hamilton 38-36

Sat
Nov 6

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: A friend of mine said that the Riders were just faking it the past few weeks, and if there’s any time to stop the charade it’s now, choosing to play BC over Edmonton next week in the playoffs.

Brandon: Originally, I was going to take Edmonton. But, if you look at this game the riders are actually the underdogs and need the win more than Edmonton as crazy as that sounds. Plus, it will spice things up when they meet in the west-semis in a week.

Scott: Edmonton wants to win, but the pressure will only be on if BC wins. I don’t think BC will win, but either way I still think the Roughriders want a win going into the playoffs so they’re not stumbling in and probably playing Edmonton back to back. Saskatchewan 28-17

Sun
Nov 7

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: This game means nothing to either team, so I give the win to Toronto who may leave their starters in just a bit longer than Montreal will.

Brandon: I honestly don’t even care about this game, but, it’s good to finally have some controversy in the east. After all, both Toronto and Hamilton have shown they can beat Montreal could this be the year we see an upset?

Scott: Montreal is playing very well, and even though Toronto did almost beat the Als last week, the game is in Montreal and the Als always play extra tough at home. Plus Toronto is sitting Cory Boyd, the Argos lifeblood. Montreal 22-15

Results

Fri
Oct 29

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: Montreal doesn’t have much to play for other than redemption after the debacle of last week, and they are not the team I would want to play after a 37 point loss.

Fri
Oct 29

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: Having clinched first place in the West, the Stamps don’t have much to play for, but based on their history that doesn’t mean that they are going to slow down. I also don’t see the Ticats slowing down either, especially after how well they played last week. With a bit more to play for, I have to take the Ticats.

Sun
Oct 31

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: Edmonton came out last week like a team possessed, and with a playoff spot on the line despite how they started the season, I can’t pick against the Esks this week.

Sun
Oct 31

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: Last week I said I couldn’t see the Riders dropping a third straight game, but after watching them self destruct, I gotta take BC, they are hot at the right time.

Results

FriOct 15

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: Montreal has clinched first place in the East, so any wins from here on out are just gravy. Hamilton needs the win to clinch a home playoff game.

Scott: Montreal underestimated the Bombers, and I think that with only a few weeks left, and Montreal not playing great on the road, Hamilton might be the team to upset the Als. Hamilton 31-25

SatOct 16

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: BC is playing for their spot in the playoffs, but Calgary has to win to clinch the West, and doing that at home is worth fighting for.

Scott: 29-10. That was the score the last time the Lions played in Calgary. I am almost so bold as to say the score will be the same with the teams reversed. Embarrassment is a huge factor, especially when the Lions haven’t really played great since. Plus the Stampeders watched game film this week, not of the win over Saskatchewan, but the loss to BC. They saved it for this week. Nothing could be more motivating. What the heck, I’ll do it. Calgary 29-10

SunOct 17

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: My previous comments have all been about teams that have something worth fighting for, and Toronto has to have a win to move on while Winnipeg has almost completely eliminated from the playoffs, but there is still a faint glimmer of hope, but the stars have to alight PERFECTLY for that to happen.

Scott: Toronto is on a decline and Winnipeg has been playing well along with a win in there! Bombers still have a shot at playoffs if they can win. Winnipeg 25-17

SunOct 17

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: Despite the injuries, I don’t see the Riders losing three in a row.

Scott: Saskatchewan is nursing some injuries, and while I do think those players will be missed, I don’t think it will hurt them TOO too bad. Eddie Johnson is a decent kicker, and The Riders have a very strong Canadian Representative at Receiver, so the Ratio shouldn’t be impacted too badly. I don’t think the motivation will be there this week, because if Calgary beats BC(and they will) the Riders won’t have a shot at first. The Eskimos are still in a strong playoff fight and have done very well against the Riders in Edmonton. Edmonton 32-29

Results

FriOct 15

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: I have no faith in Cleo Lemon to win this game with the Argos’ post season berth on the line.

SatOct 16

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: Besides the second half implosion, the Lions looked pretty good, and.. well… I don’t really remember the last time the Eskimos looked good.

SunOct 17

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: Winnipeg has the talent to win this game, but as we have seen this year, talent doesn’t always amount to wins.

SunOct 17

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: Toronto practiced with fake crowd noise before their trip to Regina. I’m have a feeling that the Stamps would have to turn the PA system up to 11 to even come close to matching the volume at Mosaic this week, especially after the Riders’ loss to Toronto last week..

Results

FriOct 8

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: A must win for both teams will only lead to disappointment for the Esks who barely won last week.

Scott: The Edmonton Eskimos looked much better than they have all year when they pulled out the win over Hamilton last weekend. It was in Edmonton, and I am noticing a trend that most teams are MUCH better at home than away this year. Hamilton will be back motivated at home, and should have no problem beating the Eskimos. Hamilton 37-33

SatOct 9

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: This is the only game this week where my pick stays the same. The Riders overpowered the Argos last week, and it will be even tougher for the Double Blue to win at Mosaic with the Riders looking to secure a home playoff game.

Scott: I have conflicting thoughts going through my head about this one. The RIders are unbeaten at home this year, and for that reason I would normally think the Riders were a shoe in to win. Something has me questioning if this is actually going to be the case. The Argos didn’t give much of a challenge to the Riders, and I am thinking the Riders may end up playing down to their opponent the way they have other times this year. I was feeling this before I heard Durant might not play. I think he will play, but I am going to say low scoring game that the Riders don’t show up. Toronto 21-19

MonOct 11

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: I can’t call the Stamps lucky for their win last week, but they were fortunate that the Als weren’t playing all that great. I don’t see the Als giving this one up without a fight, I expect this will be the best game of the week.

Scott: The Alouettes forgot to show up last week against the Stampeders, and while I know they will come back more motivated, I think they caught the Stampeders at the wrong time of the year. The Stampeders played a great game last week, and I don’t think it was a fluke. The Alouettes are good offensively, but matching offense vs defense for both teams, and I think the Stampeders have the edge. This week won’t be as easy, but Calgary should take it. Calgary 41-38

MonOct 11

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: Like the Esks/Ticats game, both of these teams need a win to hope for a playoff spot, and the edge goes to BC, especially with Brink starting.

Scott: I am very angry with the Blue Bombers for single handedly ruining my picks record this year. I have trusted them way more than I guess I should have, but rightfully so, they should have won many more games this season. This is pretty much their last chance to make a playoff run, because they will have to have a better record than both the Esks and Lions to make the crossover. There are no ties or season series wins. They have to have more points, and if they lose again, they will be 3 wins, six points behind the Lions with 4 weeks left. If they win, they will be 1 win back. So by desperation, I am once again picking Winnipeg 27-19

Results

Fri
Oct 1

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: The best two teams in the league square off in the first game of the league wide home and home week, but while Montreal is playing better, Calgary needs the win more.

Scott: Not much needs to be said about this game. For the same reasons I knew the Riders would compete in the game after losing to Winnipeg 31-2, Calgary will beat Montreal after losing an embarrassing game to the BC Lions. Calgary 45-32

Sat
Oct 2

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: With Dalton Bell getting the start this week, the Roughriders should be able to come away with a win to pull a bit closer to Calgary in the West.

Scott: The Riders are looking for another big win on the Road, and although the Argos will have Dalton Bell behind centre, it won’t be enough to beat the Riders. Saskatchewan 28-17

Sat
Oct 2

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: BC will be flying high coming into a home game after beating Calgary on the road, and as long as they don’t turn the ball over like they did last week this should be a great way for the Lions to build momentum going into the home stretch.

Scott: The Lions may have beaten the Stampeders, but they clearly did it without any offense. BC’s defense did a shut the Stamps offense down, but a lot of the lack of Stamps yards were on themselves. That being said, the Blue Bombers HAVE to find a way to win one, and if they want to make the playoffs, The Lions are the team they have to beat. After another game given up last week, the Bombers will be EXTRA motivated. Winnipeg 36-21

Sun
Oct 3

AT

Breakdown:

Chris: The Ticats will be hungry after having one slip away last week.

Scott: Edmonton did beat the Argos, but the Argos aren’t quite the team the Tiger-Cats are. Hamilton, 31-20

Results