112th Grey Cup Playoff Outlook: Stampeders and Bombers Aim for Crucial Playoff Spots
The Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers are gearing up for a pivotal Week 20, with critical playoff spots on the line. The Eastern and Western divisions are both poised for significant developments this week, affecting the playoff landscape as the season nears its conclusion.
Eastern Division Playoff Scenarios
- Ottawa (OTT) Win: Hamilton will secure the East Division title, hosting the Eastern Final at Hamilton Stadium on November 8 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
- Montreal (MTL): Will host the crossover team in the Eastern Semi-Final at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium on November 1 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Western Division Playoff Scenarios
- British Columbia (BC) Win: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will secure a playoff berth.
- Bombers Loss: A loss by Edmonton or a win by Calgary will allow the Stampeders to clinch their playoff spot.
- BC Win & CGY Loss: British Columbia will host the Western Semi-Final at BC Place on November 1 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Current Playoff Picture
Several teams have already secured their postseason positions:
- Saskatchewan clinched its Grey Cup Playoff spot in Week 15 for the second consecutive year.
- Hamilton confirmed a playoff date in Week 16, ensuring a home game.
- Montreal locked down its sixth straight postseason appearance in Week 18, also securing a home playoff game.
- BC clinched its playoff spot in Week 18 as well.
Notably, a crossover from the West to East has been established, marking the 13th instance of this rule since it was introduced in 1996 and the first since 2019.
Crossover Rule Explained
The crossover rule allows the fourth-place team in one division to replace the third-place team in the other division if they have more points:
- If the fourth-place team from Division A (A4) has a higher point total than the third-place team from Division B (B3), A4 will cross over.
- A4 will then compete against B2 in the Division B Semi-Final.
Week 20 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Fri., Oct. 17 | SSK at WPG | 8:00 p.m. |
| Fri., Oct. 17 | EDM at BC | 10:30 p.m. |
| Sat., Oct. 18 | MTL at OTT | 3:00 p.m. |
| Sat., Oct. 18 | TOR at CGY | 7:00 p.m. |
This week’s matchups will hold significant implications for the playoff standings. Both the Stampeders and Bombers will be keenly focused on the outcomes that could determine their postseason aspirations.
