Winnipeg Blue Bombers need win over B.C. Lions to secure CFL playoff berth
Winnipeg controls its playoff fate entering the final week, while Calgary and Saskatchewan await results that will determine the remaining West Division places.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers can secure a CFL playoff berth by beating the B.C. Lions on Friday, October 23, according to a Canadian Press report published by Global News on October 19. Winnipeg enters its regular-season finale at 8-9, with its place in the postseason still at stake.
Calgary, which finished 9-9, has a bye in the final week and must wait on other results. Saskatchewan is 9-8 and has already clinched a berth, but could finish third or fourth in the West Division. The Roughriders face the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, October 24, The Canadian Press reported.
How the West Division playoff places could change
If Winnipeg and Saskatchewan both win, the Roughriders finish third and visit B.C. in the West semifinal on October 31. Winnipeg takes fourth place and crosses over to play the Toronto Argonauts in the East semifinal. If Winnipeg wins and Saskatchewan loses, the Blue Bombers finish third and visit B.C.; the Roughriders take the crossover place against Toronto.
A Winnipeg loss would leave Calgary in the playoff places. If Saskatchewan wins, the Roughriders finish third and Calgary takes fourth, with a trip to Toronto. If both Saskatchewan and Winnipeg lose, Calgary finishes third and Saskatchewan fourth, according to the Canadian Press account of the remaining scenarios.
Edmonton and B.C. have secured the top two West Division spots. In the East, the Montreal Alouettes have clinched first and Toronto second. Those positions set the possible semifinal destinations for whichever teams claim the remaining West places.
Why Winnipeg's berth remains undecided
The CFL said before the previous round of games that a Winnipeg win or Calgary loss would have clinched a Blue Bombers berth in Week 20. Winnipeg then lost 35-27 to Edmonton on October 16, a result the league recorded as leaving the Blue Bombers at 8-9. That missed opportunity carries the decision into the final week.
The Blue Bombers' own game recap lists the B.C. fixture as their regular-season finale on October 23, with a scheduled 9 p.m. start. It is Winnipeg's last chance to secure its place through a win, while Calgary's season is already complete and Saskatchewan still has its game against Edmonton to play.
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Sources and context
- Bombers can secure CFL playoff spot with victoryGlobal News / The Canadian Press
- WEEK 20: WEST PLAYOFF PICTURE COMES INTO FOCUSCanadian Football League
- Recap: Edmonton 35, Winnipeg 27Canadian Football League
- Game Recap | Elks 35 Blue Bombers 27Winnipeg Blue Bombers
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.