CFL West Division playoff picture features 64 different permutations
TORONTO (CP) — Muddled doesn’t begin to describe the CFL West Division’s playoff picture.
According to the league, a potential of 64 different playoff permutations currently exist. All six remaining West Division regular-season contests have post-season implications with no less than 15 different potential orders of finish possible.
Amazingly, all five West Division teams could possibly host the conference semifinal on Nov. 11. The second-place Saskatchewan Roughriders (10-6) can still finish first and have home-field advantage for the West final on Nov. 18.
What’s more, three or four teams could finish the regular season tied with 10-8 records. There are 10 permutations with potential for seven different three- or fourway ties.
The Calgary Stampeders (12-3) currently hold down first in the West Division, four points ahead of Saskatchewan with a game in hand. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-7) are third, just ahead of the B.C. Lions (8-7) and Edmonton Eskimos (8-8).
B.C. hosts Edmonton tonight having won five of its last six games, but the Eskimos have captured the last four head-to-head meetings.
On Saturday night, Saskatchewan visits Calgary having already beaten the Stamps earlier this year.
But Edmonton coach Jason Maas isn’t losing sleep at night poring over the many different playoff scenarios.
“I really don’t care whatsoever, I don’t think our team cares whatsoever after this week,” Maas said. “We’re focused on B.C., we don’t care what happens after that.
“We just want to focus on getting a win and there’s no scenario that needs to play out more than one game this week and that’s it.”
Presently, Calgary has clinched a home playoff game, while Saskatchewan has earned a post-season berth.
However, again according to the CFL, only four of the 64 possibilities (6.25 per cent) involve the Roughriders overtaking the Stampeders for first.
Calgary needs a tie or win over Saskatchewan to finish first in the West for a third straight year and fourth time in five seasons. And since the CFL went to an 18-game schedule in 1986, no team at 12-3 has ever finished with a 12-6 record.
Saskatchewan would earn a home playoff game with a win over Calgary and a B.C. loss or tie. The Lions would clinch a berth by beating Edmonton.
“The only scenario that’s important is winning,” said Lions coach Wally Buono. “If you don’t focus on what’s right in front of you, if you don’t focus on the next game, you’re going to miss the opportunity.”