2009 CFL Predictions: Playoff Edition

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2009 CFL Predictions: Playoff Edition By GREG HARRIS, MOP Squad CFL Editor Nov 12, 2009 - 7:29:15 PM	Email this article Printer friendly page
Last Week: 2-2 Regular Season: 42-30 (.583) I was hoping to go to Hamilton this weekend, but things didn't go as planned. For one thing, the Edmonton Eskishmoes knocked two Lions quarterbacks out of their romp over BC. Making matters worse, the Stamps got off to a slow start in Saskatchewan, and instead of an extra week's rest, they'll be facing the Eskies in the Western Semi-Final. Without further ado, here's how I see the playoffs playing out. WESTERN DIVISION West Semi-Final: This one should be a no-contest. The Stamps have dominated the inferior Northern Alberta squad all season, their lone setback coming by a three point margin on the road in Week 7. Both meetings at McMahon have been whitewashes, as the Eskies failed to hit double digits on the scoreboard each time. Last season, Smilin' Hank Burris finally got the playoff monkey off his back, and he's played his best football against Edmonton this year, averaging nearly 400 yards per game. Although this is a late-afternoon start on Sunday, it should be over early. Stamps win big. Western Final: It really pains me to write this, but even I, the biggest Stamps fan in the Eastern timezone, have a hard time seeing Calgary going into Regina and winning this game on the road. The Stamps haven't beaten the Riders all season, dropping a one-point decision at home back in August and tying at Mosaic in October before dropping that crucial game last week. They'll have to avoid getting off to a slow start, and finishing strongly is a must, as they let the Roughies back into the first two contests after holding late leads. Do I think this will be a competitive tilt? Absolutely. But my head says Saskatchewan while my heart says Calgary. I might need to get my head checked -- but home-town teams rarely make it to the big game, and logic dictates that the Stamps will lose in the Western Final. I just hope logic is wrong... EASTERN DIVISION East Semi-Final: Although BC QB Casey Printers was originally reported to have broken his thumb on his throwing hand, the Lions are now downgrading in the injury in the hopes of him suiting up for this matchup. I wouldn't discount a throwing-hand injury, though. Offensive linemen can play with their hand in a cast, but not your starting QB. If Casey's not good to go against his former team, the Lions will be lucky to get Travis Lulay back, as the former one-two punch of Buck Pierce and Jarious Jackson have both been knocked out of the lineup. The instability at quarterback is a big factor for the Lions, heading into Hamilton for the Tabbies' first home playoff game since Wally Buono was winning Grey Cups in Calgary. On the other hand, Hamilton has found its saviour in Kevin Glenn--not Quenton Porter, as originally envisioned--and the connection between Glenn and fellow newcomer Arland Bruce put up some big games this season. It took them eight years to get there, but the Ivor Wynne faithful should have reason to celebrate on Sunday, as Hamilton posts its first playoff win since the days of Danny McManus. Eastern Final: In Week 16, Hamilton played Montreal to a near-standstill, losing 41-38 after falling into a huge hole early on. But that was in front of 20,202 at Percival Molson Stadium. The Eastern Final should have over 60,000 rabid Als fans packing the Big O in support of their home squad. Montreal has been the best team by far this season, and haven't dropped a game on their home turf. Now's not the time for them to do so. The Ticats are still a couple years away, but the Als' time is now. GREY CUP FINAL All those annoying Rider fans who moved back to Saskatoon when the local economy started booming will be returning to their former hometown for this one, as the Stamps fans will be selling off their tickets en masse, and the sellout crowd will feature plenty of watermelons and Pilsner beer. It will be a virtual road game for the Montreal Alouettes--no matter their opponent--but that might not be a bad thing for a team who folded under the pressure of hosting the big game last season. And if Saskatchewan's the opponent, the Als fans can sleep easy, as the season series between the two teams has been rather one-sided. The Als dominated the Riders in a 43-10 beatdown in Regina before a more respectable 34-25 showing on home turf. But even the second score flattered Saskatchewan, as the game was never in doubt. This one won't be either. I'd like to end this column with a prediction revisited from my pre-season piece, posted back in June: "After winning their second Grey Cup since the team moved north from Baltimore, Calvillo, Cahoon and half the offensive line announce their retirement and open a chain of La Belle Province restaurants in the state of Maryland." Next year, the Grey Cup will be up for grabs. You read it here first. This is probably CFL Editor Greg Harris' last-ever column for MOP Squad Sports, your source for CFL coverage--and nothing else. He may possibly start a blog, where the standings don't date back to Week 2 of the 2008 season, and the home page doesn't feature a picture from the NBA playoffs from two years ago. He will still be checking his email until the Grey Cup is handed out, so feel free to drop him a line at greg.harris@mopsquad.com if you know a thing or two about blogging. Copyright 2007 - MOP Squad Sports Top of Page