• Edmonton going again to QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson in a must-win sport: He has the third-highest big-time throw fee at 5.3% whereas additionally having the second-lowest turnover-worthy play fee at 3.3%.
• CB Garry Peters is within the midst of one other dominant season for BC: His 0.44 yards per protection snap allowed common is the bottom amongst any nook or halfback
• Unlock your edge with a PFF+ subscription: Get full entry to all of our in-season fantasy instruments, together with weekly rankings, WR/CB matchup charts, weekly projections, the Start-Sit Optimizer and extra. Sign up now!
Estimated studying time: 8 minutes
EDMONTON ELKS VS. WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
The Elks suffered a tricky loss to the Blue Bombers final week, giving them simply their second loss in seven video games. This instant rematch now turns into a close to must-win for them. An Elks loss might put them 5 factors out of a playoff spot with simply three video games remaining. That might successfully finish their season, barring an entire host of issues going proper for them down the stretch. The Elks might want to discover a option to decelerate Winnipeg RB Brady Oliveira (89.6 season grade), who rushed for 134 yards final week with a ridiculous 5.9 yards after contact per carry common. The Bombers are positive to lean closely on Oliveira as soon as once more as they appear to clinch a playoff spot with a victory. If Edmonton can restrict his effectiveness, nevertheless, the Elks can probably make the most of a struggling Zach Collaros (73.2) and Winnipeg’s ineffective passing sport and delay The Bombers’ celebration.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: WR EUGENE LEWIS, EDMONTON VS. CB TERRELL BONDS, WINNIPEG
Lewis had an ideal 31-yard landing seize final week after Winnipeg busted protection on a flea flicker, however apart from that he was successfully shut down. He had only one different catch for 15 yards on a second-and-long in opposition to gentle protection. Bonds did an ideal job, as he’s completed all season. The boundary nook has 9 pressured incompletions this yr, tied for sixth-most within the CFL. While Lewis has been good this season, he hasn’t fairly been his dominant self. His 68.9 receiving grade ranks ninth, and he’s averaging an Eleventh-best 1.53 yards per route run. If Edmonton desires to come back out of this sport with a win, Lewis should have a famous person efficiency.
PLAYER TO WATCH: QB MCLEOD BETHEL-THOMPSON, EDMONTON
After taking a backseat to QB Tre Ford final week, Bethel-Thompson can be getting again within the driver’s seat for this one. While Ford presents way more of a dashing menace when he’s on the market, MBT has been the higher quarterback this season. Bethel-Thompson’s 90.3 passing grade ranks third within the CFL. He has the third-highest big-time throw fee at 5.3% whereas additionally having the second-lowest turnover-worthy play fee at 3.3%. Right now, MBT provides Edmonton the most effective likelihood to win, and he’ll have to have one in every of his most spectacular video games but to maintain Edmonton within the playoff hunt with a win this weekend.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS VS. BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS
Hamilton accomplished the season sequence sweep in opposition to the Toronto Argonauts final week and has now gained three straight video games. That sweep might loom giant, because the Tiger-Cats are solely two video games again of Toronto for that remaining playoff spot within the East. A win right here would put a ton of strain on Toronto down the stretch. Hamilton’s late-season surge has been led by QB Bo Levi Mitchell, who’s taking part in phenomenally as of late. Over the previous 5 video games, Mitchell has 11 big-time throws to only one turnover-worthy play along with a 90.5 general grade throughout that span. A powerful move rush from EDGE Mathieu Betts (13 pressures in three video games since his return) and EDGE Sione Teuhema (38 whole pressures this season, Tenth most) could possibly be large in main the Lions to victory. A win right here for B.C. pushes them to only a half-game away from a playoff berth.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: WR SHEMAR BRIDGES, HAMILTON VS. CB GARRY PETERS, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Bridges is arguably the favourite for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie, and for good cause. The younger receiver ranks second in receptions (79) and fourth in yards (906). His 23 explosive receptions rank fifth, and he’s averaging a Tenth-best 2.54 yards per route run. Cue Peters, who’s the CFL’s most bodily boundary nook. Peters has allowed simply 20 catches for 223 yards this season with an interception and 10 pressured incompletions. His 0.44 yards per protection snap allowed common is the bottom amongst any nook or halfback. It’s been exhausting to decelerate Bridges all season, however Peters can fully take him out of the sport. If he can, that would spell doom for the Hamilton offense and their possibilities to win this sport.
PLAYER TO WATCH: QB BO LEVI MITCHELL, HAMILTON
There isn’t a QB taking part in higher than Mitchell has been for the previous 5 weeks. While he didn’t have the best begin to the yr, Mitchell has been instrumental in serving to Hamilton battle again into the playoff race. Since Week 11, Mitchell has 11 big-time throws in opposition to only one turnover-worthy play. He leads the league with a 12.4-yard common depth of goal. All that is contributing to Mitchell’s spectacular 89.7 passing grade over that span. More importantly, Hamilton is 3-2 over that span (with three wins in a row) and making a late-season playoff push. If Mitchell can have one other large sport, and Hamilton wins, search for him to rocket into the Most Outstanding Player dialogue.
OTTAWA REDBLACKS VS. SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
The Redblacks have been the most effective tales within the league this season, as they’ve already doubled their win whole from a yr in the past. However, two straight losses have left them trying to find solutions as they attempt to hold on to second place within the East. After an harm to beginning QB Dru Brown, the Redblacks will flip to veteran Jeremiah Masoli this week. Masoli has been strong this season, placing up a 73.5 general grade in his restricted playtime. Will that be sufficient in opposition to such an excellent Saskatchewan protection? The Roughriders gained their first sport since Week 7 final week and can be trying so as to add to that to maintain a maintain on that remaining playoff spot. With each Edmonton and Hamilton nipping at their heels, they’ll want QB Trevor Harris (91.5 passing grade) to proceed his robust play. If he does, it could possibly be sufficient to cause them to victory.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: LT DRAKE CENTERS, OTTAWA VS. ED ANTHONY LANIER II, SASKATCHEWAN
With beginning LT Dino Boyd out for a number of weeks, the all-important left deal with place falls to Centers, who has struggled when he’s performed this season. He’s misplaced almost 18% of his pass-blocking snaps this season, and his 94.3 pass-blocking effectivity rating is the second-lowest mark amongst any offensive lineman this season. Across from him, it seems like Lanier will return to motion for the primary time since Week 8. The versatile defensive lineman had 24 whole pressures on the time of his harm, fifth-most within the CFL. His 6.4 pass-rushing productiveness rating was a top-10 mark. This could possibly be an ideal matchup for Lanier to return and decide up proper the place he left off.
PLAYER TO WATCH: HB ROLAN MILLIGAN, SASKATCHEWAN
When you’re being talked about as a legit candidate for Most Outstanding Player as a defender, you already know you’re having an excellent season. Milligan has been improbable for Saskatchewan, main the league with six interceptions and rating second with 11 pressured incompletions. He’s additionally had 4 dropped interceptions, in order that first quantity could possibly be even greater. His 85.3 protection grade ranks fourth within the CFL. On high of his spectacular defensive capability, Milligan has made 18 particular groups tackles and a 91.1 particular groups grade, each of which rank fourth within the league.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES VS. TORONTO ARGONAUTS
It’s been an up-and-down season for the Argonauts, who’ve each by no means gained greater than two video games in a row and by no means misplaced greater than two video games in a row. They’ll have spectacular performances, like beating the B.C. Lions 33-17 two weeks in the past, after which adopted that up with duds, like shedding to Hamilton 33-31 final week. They don’t have the consistency of a yr in the past once they have been the No. 1 workforce. Meanwhile, Montreal is the mannequin of consistency this season. The league’s No. 1 workforce ended its two-game winless streak with a dominant defensive efficiency final week and can be trying to lock up the No. 1 seed within the CFL playoffs with a win this weekend. Montreal QB Cody Fajardo is taking part in his greatest soccer, rating second in big-time throw share (5.3%) whereas having the league’s lowest turnover-worthy play fee (2.4%). A giant sport from him could possibly be sufficient to propel Montreal to that win.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: LG PIER OLIVIER-LESTAGE, MONTREAL VS. DI JAKE CERESNA, TORONTO
This is really a best-vs-best matchup and one that would totally form the end result of the sport. On one facet there’s Lestage, arguably the most effective lineman within the CFL. Lestage has allowed simply 9 pressures on 509 pass-blocking snaps this season. That 1.8% strain allowed share is the bottom within the league. Across from him will usually be Ceresna, the most effective move rushers in Canada. Ceresna’s 82.4 pass-rushing grade ranks fifth within the CFL. His 14.2% move rush win fee ranks fourth, and his 42 whole pressures are the sixth-most within the league. If he can discover a option to do what no one has completed and get previous Lestage to strain Montreal’s passing offense, it could possibly be sufficient to guide Toronto to victory.
PLAYER TO WATCH: LB TYRICE BEVERETTE, MONTREAL
Another defender within the working for Most Outstanding Player will get the spotlight right here. Beverette has been extremely spectacular all season lengthy for Montreal. He’s the chief of their protection and is requested to do something and all the things for the Alouettes. Beverette leads the league in defensive snaps (841) and is grading above common in run protection, move rush, and protection. He has the second-most tackles (112) with one of many lowest missed-tackle charges amongst linebackers. Beverette additionally leads all the league with a particular groups grade of 91.8. At this level, if Montreal requested Beverette to play on offense it might not be a shock if he excelled there too. That’s how good Beverette has been in any respect phases of soccer this season.