CFL playoffs: Hard not to like Redblacks and Stamps at home

The matchup for next weekend’s Grey Cup in Edmonton will be set on Sunday. Here’s how the division finals shape up:

Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ottawa Redblacks Sunday, 1 p.m. (TSN)

The Redblacks swept the season series 3-0. That included winning back-to-back games last month to clinch top spot in the East Division.

Quarterback Trevor Harris completed 70 of 97 passes (72.2 per cent) for 836 yards with four TDs and no interceptions over that span. In his last six starts, Harris has amassed 1,895 passing yards with 11 TDs and two interceptions.

Brad Sinopoli (116 catches, 1,376 yards four TDs) anchors a receiving corps that also includes Greg Ellingson (91 catches, 1,086 yards, five TDs) and Diontae Spencer (81 catches, 1,007 yards, seven TDs).

Sinopoli’s receptions total was a CFL single-season record for a Canuck and he’s a finalist for the league’s top Canadian honour for a second straight year. In the 2015 East final, it was Ellingson’s late 93-yard TD grab that earned Ottawa a thrilling 35-28 home win over Hamilton.

However, Ottawa isn’t a pass-only offence as running back William Powell was the CFL’s second-leading rusher with 1,362 yards and six TDs.

Hamilton heads to TD Place off a convincing 48-8 East Division semifinal win against B.C. Jeremiah Masoli, the East Division nominee for the CFL’s top player award, threw for 259 yards and three TDs.

Masoli was the CFL’s second-leading passer with 5,209 yards this season, his first full campaign as a starter. He completed 74 of 120 passes (58.3 per cent) for 937 yards with four TDs and four interceptions versus Ottawa.

Luke Tasker had two of Masoli’s three TD strikes against B.C. but it was youngster Bralon Addison who impressed, registering five catches for 124 yards. Hamilton’s receiving corps has lost Shamawd Chambers, Chris Williams, Jalen Saunders and Terrence Tolliver to injury this season.

Ottawa rookie kicker Lewis Ward has converted a pro football record 48 straight field goals and 51 of 52 this season (league mark 98.1 per cent), in- cluding 16 from beyond 40 yards.

Hamilton veteran Lirim Hajrullahu made 45 of 54 attempts (85.2 per cent) and is seven-of-seven from 50-plus yards.

Ottawa has a 33-14 (.702) home playoff record and the East Division final host is 31-13 (.705) since 1973. The Ticats boast a 15-29 (.344) road playoff record.

Prediction: Ottawa

Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Calgary Stampeders Sunday, 4:30 p.m. (TSN)

Forgive the Winnipeg Blue Bombers if they’d rather forget about the last time they faced Bo Levi Mitchell at McMahon Stadium. On Aug. 25, Mitchell threw for 452 yards and three touchdowns in a 39-26 home win. The teams return to McMahon Stadium on Sunday in the West division final.

Much has happened since then. Winnipeg clinched a playoff berth Oct. 26 with a 29-21 home win over Calgary, its first victory over the Stampeders in nine tries.

Over those two games against Winnipeg, Mitchell has completed 47 of 77 passes for 726 yards with four TDs and no interceptions as Calgary chases a third straight Grey Cup appearance and its first championship since 2014.

But Winnipeg starter Matt Nichols won his last six straight starts with eight TDs and just one interception over that span.

Winnipeg comes in off its 23-18 road win against Saskatchewan in the West Division semifinal, its first playoff victory since beating Hamilton in 2011 East Division final.

Winnipeg’s defence finished tied with Calgary for most forced turnovers (49) and second to the Stampeders in fewest offensive points allowed (20.8), offensive touchdowns (35) and passing touchdowns (15). Linebacker Adam Bighill anchors the unit and will play Sunday despite suffering an undisclosed injury against Saskatchewan.

Calgary boasts a 34-20 (.630) home playoff record and was 7-2 this season at McMahon. Their last home playoff loss was in 2013 to Saskatchewan.

Since 1972, the home team in the West Division final is 27-19 (.587).

Winnipeg counters with a 22-32 (407) road playoff record and was 4-5 this season away from Investors Group Field.

Prediction: Calgary