Even though we haven’t crossed my imaginary threshold of when this season enters the stretch drive, you can’t deny how important this weekend could potentially be. Our Week 14 marquee matchup is going to be crucial in the resurgent East Division while there’s a lot on the line for a pair of teams fighting for their playoff lives out west. Let’s count ’em down.
3. No room for error
It’s time to start winning football games in Winnipeg and Vancouver. If the season were to end now, neither the Bombers nor the Lions would be playoff bound as the East Division crossover would come into play for the first time ever (View: Crossover Standings). Even if the Alouettes do falter down the stretch, both Winnipeg and BC are going to have to make up at least a game to qualify for the 2015 postseason. The time for moral victories is over and there really is next to no room for error from here on out.
There’s one problem that both teams share this week, however. Both the Lions and Bombers have extremely difficult opponents to face on a weekend where they really do need a win. Winnipeg plays host to Calgary on Friday night to kick off Week 14, and we’ve all seen how difficult beating the Stampeders has been. Saturday sees BC pay a visit to Commonwealth Stadium for a second straight road matchup with an Alberta team. The Lions and Bombers desperately need wins. Unfortunately, Week 14 may not be the most feasible time for those wins to come.
2. Golden opportunity
This weekend presents quite the opportunity for the Montreal Alouettes. Already a game ahead of both BC and Winnipeg in the crossover race, the Als see those opponents get the misfortune of some difficult opposition. Couple that with Montreal’s opposition on Sunday afternoon and you can’t help but like the way this weekend shapes up. That being said, the Alouettes need to be treating their showdown with Saskatchewan as a must win.
At this point, losing to the 1-11 Riders is unacceptable if you’re in a playoff race. Losing to a team you’re in the fight with is fine, as is dropping a game to a team ahead of you. But Saskatchewan is 1-11 for a reason and Montreal needs to exploit that this weekend. The potential for the Als to be two games up on one, if not two, West Division teams in the crossover race is there. But for that to happen, the Als need to take care of their own business at Mosaic Stadium.
1. A new rivalry
The rivalry between the Toronto Argonauts and Ottawa REDBLACKS isn’t the CFL’s fiercest. That’s mainly because the REDBLACKS aren’t even two full seasons into their tenure in the league. But it’s also because the two teams haven’t really played any meaningful games. That all changes on Saturday night when the Argos travel to sold out TD Place in our nation’s capital.
This showdown features teams going in different directions. Toronto looks to snap a three game losing skid that has seen the Argos allow at least 35 points in each setback. Ottawa, on the other hand, has scored 30 or more points in their three consecutive victories and is looking better than it ever has. TD Place is going to be bonkers as the REDBLACKS have the opportunity to draw even with Hamilton for top spot in the East with a win. I’ll take home field and the increasingly dynamic offence of the REDBLACKS in this one. My biggest hope, though, is that whatever happens helps spark a new rivalry in Ontario.
