2025 CFL Week 21 Picks and Betting Odds: Playoff positioning on the line
The playoff field is set in the CFL, but there’s still plenty at stake in the final week of the regular season.
As teams continue to jockey for playoff seeding, we’re back to analyze the week ahead.
Let’s dive in with our Week 21 picks and betting odds.
Don’t forget to check out Sports Interaction’s complete list of CFL game odds, CFL futures and CFL specials and props.
Ottawa RedBlacks at Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will look to clinch first place in the East Division when they face the Ottawa RedBlacks, who can go from last place in the league to tied for last place with a win.
This is the clearest game of the week in terms of knowing who is playing. Hamilton needs to win, so they won’t rest anyone and Ottawa may as well play their top guys with nothing to lose.
That’s a huge edge for the Tabbies as the RedBlacks have been terrible, losing five straight games and seven of their last eight.
Hamilton has lost two of their last three games, but I see this as a get-right game heading into the playoffs.
Pick: Hamilton
Calgary Stampeders at Edmonton Elks
The Stampeders are playoff bound and enter Week 21 off back-to-back wins as they look to finish the regular season strong against an Elks squad that will miss the playoffs for a fifth straight year.
Calgary has won six of nine games within the West Division this season and they are 4-4 on the road. With several scenarios still possible, the Stamps need a win this week to guarantee they avoid the crossover in the playoffs.
Edmonton’s playoff hopes really took a hit in large part because of their poor 3-6 record in divisional games, capped by last week’s loss against the Lions. The Elks have nothing but pride to play for this week.
When it comes to playing for pride versus playing for desperation, I’ll take the desperate team every time.
Pick: Calgary
Montreal Alouettes at Winnipeg Blue Bombers
This is a game that highlights just how much is still to be determined in this year’s playoff picture. If Hamilton wins on Friday then Montreal will finish second in the East Division, while Winnipeg’s scenario is murkier and will largely be determined by Calgary’s result.
The Bombers are 5-2 against the East Division in 2025 and 6-2 at home, but it’s tough to overlook their poor performance in last week’s must-win game against Saskatchewan.
However, if the Ti-Cats do end up winning on Friday, it’s doubtful Montreal would risk playing quarterback Davis Alexander.
This is a tough pick to make before knowing Friday’s result, but I’ll lean on Winnipeg’s strong play both at home and against the East Division.
Pick: Winnipeg
BC Lions at Saskatchewan Roughriders
The BC Lions will look to finish the regular season with a sixth straight win when they face a Roughriders team that has already locked up top seed in the West Division.
This is another case where the game plan for the Leos could change depending on Friday’s results. If Calgary wins, BC needs to beat Saskatchewan to claim second place in the West Division. If the Stampeders lose, the Lions can rest their starters.
The Roughriders will certainly rest their starters, so I lean BC in this spot. I’m banking on Calgary winning, which would force the Lions to player their starters against Saskatchewan’s backups.
Pick: BC
