It’s playoff time in the CFL as the Lions and Stampeders prepare to meet in B.C. on Saturday night for the right to play Winnipeg in the West Division Final next week.

The Lions are sizeable 6.5-point favourites to win on the CFL odds, with the total sitting at 50.0.

CFL Odds and Betting

B.C. took two of three regular season meetings this year, but the Stampeders got the last laugh with a 41-16 Week 20 victory at BC Place. These teams also met in the West Division semi-finals last year, with the Lions winning 30-16. Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke starred for B.C., throwing for 321 yards and two TDs. Rourke is currently on the Jacksonville  Jaguars practice squad.

The Stampeders went 3-6 straight up in the regular season both at home and on the road. They finished 8-9-1 against the spread overall, including 4-4-1 ATS on the road. Calgary failed to cover in four of their final six regular season games.

The Lions also had identical home and road records, going 6-3 SU in both scenarios. In another coincidence, they matched Calgary’s 8-9-1 record ATS. A word of warning, B.C. has failed to cover the spread in five straight home games and five of their last six overall.

Calgary Stampeders

Calgary took it down to the wire to clinch the playoffs this year, but their Week 20 victory over B.C. helped the Stamps claim a postseason spot for an 18th straight season. Quarterback Jake Maier didn’t need to do much as he completed just 10 of 21 pass attempts for 123 yards and two TDs. It was the run-game that made the difference as Calgary rushed for 213 yards on 31 attempts. Peyton Logan rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown, while Tommy Stevens ran in two scores. Ka’Deem Carey added 88 yards on 15 carries.

The Stamps will likely need a better performance from Maier if they want to upset B.C. a second time. Maier threw for 420 total yards in three games against the Lions this season, never throwing for more than 166 yards. He threw for three TDs and one interception. By comparison, B.C.’s Vernon Adams Jr. threw for at least 300 yards in two of the three games with six TDs and three interceptions.

BC Lions

With the the game out of reach against Calgary two weeks ago, B.C. elected to pull Adams in the third quarter. He finished with 116 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. It was an off-performance from Adams, who led the CFL during the regular season in passing yards (career-high 4,769) and ranked second in passing touchdowns (career-high 31). Dane Evans replaced Adams, throwing for 125 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. The Lions didn’t help themselves in the game, as they were called for 10 penalties, losing 117 yards.

Run defence has to be the focus for B.C. on Saturday. Their last three opponents have each rushed for over 100 yards, with the Lions allowing an average of 147 rushing yards in that span. One positive on the defensive side of the ball is the play of Mathieu Betts, who led the CFL with 18 sacks in the regular season, the most ever by a Canadian. Betts had two sacks in three games against Calgary this year.

CFL Prediction: Who Will Win Stampeders vs. Lions?