The B.C. Lions 23-20 loss in Toronto on Saturday against the Argonauts has some Lions fans thinking that the team may have blown a chance to secure second place in the CFLB次元官网网址檚 Western Division B次元官网网址� especially with two of their remaining three games against the two-time defending Grey Cup champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
But all is not lost.
Despite the fact that the Lions played arguably their sloppiest game of the season, they still control their own destiny as they begin the final month of the schedule.
The Lions and Calgary Stampeders are tied at 10-5 with both clubs still having three games left to play. The Lions have won the season series against the Stamps two games to one, thus should the teams finished tied, the Lions would secure second place.
An initial look at the remaining schedule doesnB次元官网网址檛 favor the Lions but a deeper dive tells a different story.
The Stampeders play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday night, then play a home-and-home series with the Saskatchewan Roughriders to end their season. The Lions entertain the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday and then finish the season with games on the road against the hapless Edmonton Elks and the Blue Bombers.
At first glance, the Lions appear to have a much tougher schedule with two dates against the 14-2 Blue Bombers but the Bombers have clinched first place and are now in a position to rest regulars. In fact, it was the main topic of discussion on the Bombers Radio Network post-game show after WinnipegB次元官网网址檚 48-11 dismantling of Edmonton.
The voice of the Bombers B次元官网网址� Derek Taylor B次元官网网址� and color analyst Doug Brown discussed the subject of how quarterback Zach Collaros should handled in the coming weeks with there being a debate on whether or not Collaros should only play a half against the Lions on Saturday at BC Place.
B次元官网网址淚f Zach Collaros is not available, they cannot win the Grey Cup. I think Zach is so special, I wouldnB次元官网网址檛 consider them the favourite in a West Final against whomever,B次元官网网址� stated Taylor, while advocating sitting Collaros for periods down the stretch. Indeed, Bombers head coach Mike OB次元官网网址橲hea will be walking a fine line in the next three weeks as he tries to maintain his teamB次元官网网址檚 competitive edge while at the same time trying to rest regulars.
As for the Stampeders, the opponents they face will all have something to play for. Hamilton is in a battle with Saskatchewan for the final playoff spot as the Riders try to secure the crossover into the Eastern Division. The Tiger-Cats sit at 5-10 while the Roughriders record is 6-10. If the Roughriders are to win the crossover, they will have to do it outright as a tie between the two teams results in the Eastern team securing the playoff berth.
As a result, you can bet that the Stampeders will be playing teams in playoff mode in their last three games.
Add it all up and it should make for an interesting final month of the CFL season.
Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob B次元官网网址渢he MojB次元官网网址� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media. And check out his weekly podcast every Monday at or your local Black Press Media website.
