CFL Playoffs - A Look Ahead
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by user Erooster
This weekend, the CFL will be starting their playoffs to see which teams will meet for the 94th Grey Cup to be played in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
In the East Division semi-final, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be traveling to meet the Toronto Argonauts at the Rogers Centre. The Bombers went 2 - 1 against the Boatmen this year. Game time is set for 1pm Eastern Standard Time on Sunday November 5.
Although, all of the games this year were led by back-up pivots. This will be the first time that Damon Allen has led his team against the Bombers this season. Good news for the Boatmen is that Allen is healthy.
Allen will be joined in the backfield by the also healthy John Avery and Ricky Williams. The Argos may be missing their number two receiver in Tony Miles, who is planning on playing on an injured ankle.
On the opposite side, all eyes will be on Kevin Glenn, the first string quarterback for the Bombers. Glenn is suffering from an injured ankle. B.C.'s Chris Wilson rolled up on Glenn's ankle during the game last week in Vancouver.
My prediction: Toronto. Final score: Winnipeg Blue Bombers 16 - Toronto Argonauts 31.
Regular Season Statistics
- Standings: Argonauts -- 2nd place, East Division. Blue Bombers -- 3rd place, East Division.
Argonauts Leaders:
Offence --
- Allen, 2,567 passing yards and 12 passing TDs;
- Bruce, 77 receptions, 1,370 receiving yards and 11 receiving TDs;
- R. Williams, 526 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs.
Defence --
- Brown, 6 sacks;
- Parker, 8 INTs.
Blue Bombers Leaders:
Offence --
- Glenn, 3,427 passing yards and 17 passing TDs;
- Stegall, 79 receptions, 1,269 receiving yards and 7 receiving TDs;
- Roberts, 1,609 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs.
Defence --
- Walls, 11 sacks;
- Bean, 4 INTs.
Argonauts Team Rank:
- Passing Offence -- 215.9 yards per game (8th in CFL);
- Rushing Offence -- 88.9 ypg (7th);
- Total Offence -- 284.9 ypg (7th).
- Passing Defence -- 224.7 ypg (1st);
- Rushing Defence -- 135.0 ypg (8th);
- Total Defence -- 343 ypg (4th).
Blue Bombers Team Rank:
- Passing Offence -- 228.4 ypg (6th);
- Rushing Offence -- 112.3 ypg (3rd);
- Total Offence -- 319.8 ypg (6th).
- Passing Defence -- 235.3 ypg (2nd);
- Rushing Defence -- 92.9 ypg (3rd);
- Total Defence -- 306 ypg (3rd).
Last Meeting: Aug. 25; Argonauts 18-15. Orlando Steinauer and Mike O'Shea's late interceptions seal win for Toronto.
Streaks and Notes: Argonauts -- Have lost two straight games at home to end regular season. Blue Bombers -- Tied with three other teams for top road record in regular season.
Road/Home Records: Argonauts -- 5-4 at home. Blue Bombers -- 5-4 the road.
In the West Division, the Saskatchewan Roughriders will be going to McMahon Stadium to face the Calgary Stampeders. The game is scheduled to begin at 1600 EST on 5 November.
Calgary went 2 - 1 in the head-to-head match-ups the season. Including a 53 - 36 rout of the Roughriders back in the fourth week of the season. Each team won at home and the Stamps also won on the road versus the Green Riders.
The real question in this game comes down to this: which Henry Burris will show up for the game? Is it the team leader that went 13 for 23 for 263 yards and three touchdowns or the individual player that went 15 of 31 for 188 yards and 0 touchdowns?
Despite my better judgement (as I think that Burris is going to choke), I am going to take Calgary. Final score: Saskatchewan Roughriders 28 - Calgary Stampeders 33.
Regular Season Statistics
Standings: Stampeders -- 2nd place, West Division. Roughriders -- 3rd place, West Division.
Stampeders Leaders:
Offence --
- Burris, 4,453 passing yards and 23 passing TDs;
- Lewis, 77 receptions, 1,114 receiving yards and 5 receiving TDs;
- Reynolds, 1,541 rushing yards and 9 rushing TDs.
Defence --
- R. Abdullah, 9 sacks;
- Rhinehart, 7 INTs.
Roughriders Leaders:
Offence --
- Joseph, 3,489 passing yards and 22 passing TDs;
- Dominguez, 72 receptions, 1,169 receiving yards and 5 receiving TDs;
- Keith, 1,037 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs.
Defence --
- Perry, 14 sacks;
- Bush, 5 INTs.
Stampeders Team Rank:
- Passing Offence -- 263.6 yards per game (4th in CFL);
- Rushing Offence -- 133.7 ypg (1st);
- Total Offence -- 382.6 ypg (1st).
- Passing Defence -- 277.8 ypg (8th);
- Rushing Defence -- 96.4 ypg (4th);
- Total Defence -- 356 ypg (6th).
Roughriders Team Rank:
- Passing Offence -- 241.7 ypg (5th);
- Rushing Offence -- 131.2 ypg (2nd);
- Total Offence -- 346.2 ypg (4th).
- Passing Defence -- 247.8 ypg (4th);
- Rushing Defence -- 82.3 ypg (1st);
- Total Defence -- 302 ypg (2nd).
Last Meeting: Aug. 5; Stampeders 23-7. Henry Burris throws for 255 yards and two touchdowns.
Streaks and Notes: Stampeders -- Are 2-1 against Saskatchewan in 2006. Roughriders -- Last won at McMahon Stadium July 24, 2004.
Road/Home Records: Stampeders -- 8-1 at home. Roughriders -- 3-6 the road.
| This user is a Saskatchewan Roughriders fan. |
