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CFL: Win or Go Home on Playoff Semi-Final Weekend

  • Al Dannity's Author profile. Al Dannity

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The race for the Grey Cup intensifies this weekend as the Playoff Semi-Finals take place. For two teams, the 2011 season is going to end in defeat. Two more can ensure their survival for one more week.

Als and Tiger Cats need to get their heads in the game
That was a miserable conclusion to the regular season for both Montreal and Hamilton. The Tiger Cats lost at Toronto while the Als only managed a rouge in their beat-down at the hands of the Lions. A massive improvement is needed from both teams ahead of Sunday’s game.

Anthony Calvillo has thrown his way to a slew of honors and records in 2011 but the only one accolade he cares about is three wins away. Calvillo is more than familiar with the biggest threat to his goal of winning a third straight Grey Cup. Justin Hickman finished the year with 13 sacks for Hamilton, tied for the league lead, and 4 of those came against Calvillo. The Ticats will need to have massive success in the pass rush if they are to come out on top in this game. While far from invulnerable, the Alouettes have looked much stronger than Hamilton throughout the season. I like Calvillo to lead the Als to a big win at home, one step closer to that big date in BC Place.

Little to choose between Eskimos and Stampeders
All three of the Western Division contenders finished the season on a winning note, with Calgary’s three game winning run giving them a ton of momentum ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Eskimos. The 2011 season has been a big surprise for Edmonton, with few observers expecting them to succeed on this level. Their hot start did eventually cool off but they rallied well to finish the year with an impressive 11-7 record, tied with the Lions and Stampeders.

Scratch beneath the surface however and the Esks don’t look quite as impressive. They could have clinched the bye had they beaten the Lions in the penultimate week of the season. After failing there, they labored to an unimpressive win over the Rough Riders to secure a home date on Sunday. Against a more veteran-laden Calgary team, I can see Edmonton toughing it out for another shot against BC. I like the Stampeders to get the job done on the road and keep their Grey Cup hopes alive.