As we approach the climax of the 2024 CFL regular season, the stakes are set, and the postseason picture is beginning to take shape. With only a handful of games left, the final slate of matches presents an intriguing mix of playoff hopefuls and teams that have missed their chance. In these crucial matches, player rotations and strategic decisions will heavily influence the outcomes. Understanding these dynamics can pave the way for potential upsets and breakout performances.

The Clash of the Contenders and the Underdogs

Toronto Argonauts at Edmonton Elks

Friday, 9:30 p.m ET

The Toronto Argonauts have successfully clinched the second spot in the Eastern Division and will host the Eastern Semi-Final on November 2. Following their Week 20 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks, Toronto finds itself in a position where it must tread carefully. With the playoffs looming, we might see a cautious approach regarding player fatigue and potential injuries.

In stark contrast, the Edmonton Elks are playing with a sense of urgency and pride, despite being eliminated from postseason contention earlier on. Under the leadership of interim coach Jarious Jackson, the Elks exhibited impressive tenacity. They narrowly lost to the Saskatchewan Roughriders 28-24 before bouncing back to defeat the Calgary Stampeders 23-18. Their current performance suggests that while their season may be over, their competitive spirit remains intact.

Despite their 6-11 record, the Elks boast a +3 point differential and have scored the second-most points in the league, trailing only the Argonauts. Key players such as Tre Ford, Justin Rankin, Tevin Jones, Dillon Mitchell, and Eugene Lewis make Edmonton’s offense an exciting unit to watch. Given the risk of Toronto resting some starters, the Elks could leverage this opportunity to achieve a surprising victory, rekindling the fire of a fanbase yearning for good news.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Montreal Alouettes

Saturday, 3:00 p.m ET

The matchup between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Montreal Alouettes is arguably one of the most unpredictable of the weekend. Both teams secured their spots in the playoffs, yet the Blue Bombers enter the fray after a well-timed Week 20 bye. This rest could prove advantageous as the Bombers look to solidify their standing in the Western Division.

On the flip side, the Alouettes sit as the top seed in the league and have a vested interest in momentum. After their shocking 27-3 defeat to the BC Lions in Week 20, Montreal is aiming to rebound and build confidence heading into the playoffs. Cody Fajardo’s return, albeit after personal matters, provides an opportunity for the Alouettes to reassert their dominance on the field.

Despite their own struggles, the Bombers’ motivation is clear. They are determined not only to bounce back from their disappointing performance against the Argonauts (a 14-11 loss) but also to seek revenge for their earlier season defeat by Montreal. Given these circumstances, Winnipeg’s chances of capitalizing on a potentially weakened Alouettes side seems plausible.

Player Spotlight: Bo Levi Mitchell

As the dust settles on the unfolding drama of Week 21, one player stands out as a prime candidate for a breakout performance: Bo Levi Mitchell of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Although A.J. Ouellette of the Roughriders is a viable choice given his matchup against the Stampeders, concerns about his playing time limit his potential effectiveness. In contrast, Mitchell is poised for a significant game against the Redblacks—whose defense has struggled throughout the season.

Ottawa’s defense stands as one of the league’s more porous units, allowing 280.9 passing yards per game and surrendering 27 passes of 30+ yards. Mitchell, coming off an incredible performance with 450 yards and five touchdowns against the Stampeders, has thrived against Ottawa in their previous encounters this season. In a close Week 4 contest, he threw for 322 yards, and in their Week 15 rematch, he accumulated 299 yards and two touchdown passes. Given Hamilton’s intention to utilize its full roster, expect Mitchell to have the opportunity to shine.

Final Thoughts

The closing week of the CFL regular season carries the potential for unpredictability, excitement, and perhaps a few surprises. As teams jockey for their better postseason positioning or play for pride, fans can expect thrilling encounters. Whether it’s the feisty Elks looking to disrupt the Argonauts’ plans or the motivated Bombers aiming to stamp their authority against the Alouettes, this weekend’s games will be essential viewing.

In any case, sports always stay interesting when the unexpected becomes possible. Grab your popcorn, settle in, and prepare for an exhilarating finale to the CFL season.

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As we gear up for the penultimate week of the Canadian Football League (CFL) regular season, things are heating up. The playoff picture is crystal clear, with all six spots firmly claimed. However, that doesn’t mean the last couple of weeks will be devoid of intrigue. With playoff teams potentially resting key players and lower-ranked teams battling for pride, there are betting opportunities that savvy fans can exploit.

In this article, we’ll delve into two matchups that could shape up as upsets, and spotlight one player whose conditions may be primed for a breakout performance. Let’s jump right in!

Ottawa Redblacks at Toronto Argonauts

Saturday, 3:00 p.m. ET

Both the Ottawa Redblacks and the Toronto Argonauts have secured their postseason berths. Given that context, the Argonauts are likely to be narrow favorites in this match-up. However, recent performances from both squads raise questions about their current form.

In Week 19, Toronto narrowly edged out Winnipeg with a score of 14-11, while Ottawa mustered just 12 points in their own game against the Montreal Alouettes. Nevertheless, there’s hope for the Redblacks—Dru Brown, who threw for 349 yards and a touchdown in a previous matchup against the Argonauts, returned to action late in the contest against Montreal after recovering from an ankle injury. Should he find his rhythm, Ottawa could pull off a surprising upset.

Starting quarterback Nick Crum is expected to be in the lineup for Ottawa, providing crucial reps before the playoffs. One of Ottawa’s star performers, Justin Hardy, missed Week 19 but stands a chance of returning to the field this week. In their previous face-off, Hardy recorded six receptions in a decisive 41-27 victory over Toronto in Week 14 at home.

More encouraging news for the Redblacks comes from their balanced offensive attack led by Khalan Laborn, an emerging talent in the backfield. Though the Argonauts have been stout defensively, limiting opponents on the ground, Laborn managed a notable 33-yard touchdown run in their earlier match-up. Additionally, Ottawa’s defense has demonstrated its mettle, allowing the second-fewest yards per play (6.26), which could help keep them in contention throughout the game.

On the flip side, Toronto’s Chad Kelly had a spectacular but inconsistent outing in their last encounter with Ottawa. While he amassed a staggering 463 passing yards, he also threw four interceptions and suffered six sacks. This creates a plausible situation where the Redblacks could manage an upset if they play to their strengths—especially with a potential star-studded receiving corps consisting of Hardy, Kalil Pimpleton, and Dominique Rhymes.

Montreal Alouettes at BC Lions

Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET

In this encounter, the Montreal Alouettes secured a flat Thanksgiving victory against Ottawa, but it was far from impressive. They managed to put points on the board with Davis Alexander at the helm, as starting quarterback Cody Fajardo missed practice for personal reasons. The defending Grey Cup champions find themselves comfortably positioned with a stellar record of 12-3-1.

However, the upstart BC Lions will be looking to capitalize on the Alouettes’ lackluster performance. The previous showdown between these two teams, where the Lions triumphed 37-23, exhibited BC’s domination in the total yards category with a staggering difference of 472-271. They averaged 7.2 yards per play while suffocating Montreal’s offense.

Key to BC’s earlier success was running back William Stanback, who exploited Montreal’s defensive vulnerabilities by rushing for 128 yards and a touchdown during their last encounter. Given the Alouettes’ struggles against the run—ranked second-worst in rushing yards allowed—it’s clear that BC has the potential to exploit this weakness further.

With the Lions playing at home, where they’ve secured five wins against three losses this season, they will be keen to bounce back after a disappointing Week 19 defeat. This setup could very well lead to a surprising upset, particularly if their offensive line can keep the momentum going.

Week 20 Player to Watch: Greg Bell or James Butler, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

As we prepare for Week 20, keep an eye on Greg Bell or James Butler of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, both of whom are set to face off against the Calgary Stampeders. Bell has returned from injury, and whoever takes the lead back role will benefit from a favorable matchup against Calgary’s beleaguered run defense—ranked dead last in the league.

Back in Week 1, Butler wreaked havoc on the Stampeders’ defensive front, rushing for an impressive 119 yards on just 13 carries. With the Stampeders surrendering an average of 122.3 rushing yards per game at 6.4 yards per carry, this matchup bodes well for whoever has the lead role. With nothing to lose, expect heavy workloads for the running backs, especially given Hamilton’s current playoff exit status.

Conclusion

With the CFL regular season winding down, Week 20 promises several thrilling encounters. The Ottawa Redblacks and the BC Lions have compelling narratives that make them interesting contenders for upsets. Simultaneously, keep an eye on the potential breakout performance from the Hamilton running backs facing a porous Calgary defense. As always, the CFL is unpredictable, and that’s what makes it exhilarating for fans and bettors alike!

Happy wagering, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

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