• Keep a watch on Hamilton rookie WR Shemar Bridges: He’s caught the second-most passes at 73 and ranks top-10 in yards per route run common (1.57) and explosive receptions (22)
• Ottawa WR Justin Hardy having fun with career-best season: His 1.99 yards per route run common is the third-highest within the CFL and his 77.5 receiving grade is second-best.
• 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
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS VS. TORONTO ARGONAUTS
The Tiger-Cats put up their most spectacular efficiency of the season final week, as they dominated the Ottawa Redblacks 37-21 for his or her second straight win. While they’re nonetheless three video games behind the Argonauts for the ultimate playoff spot within the East Division, the Tiger-Cats are solely a recreation and a half again of being the primary East workforce to ever cross over to the West playoffs. A loss right here all however dooms their possibilities of making any actual run on the playoffs with simply 5 video games remaining. Toronto in the meantime, wants a win to realize floor on the Redblacks for an opportunity to host a playoff recreation. QB Chad Kelly was the highest-graded quarterback final week (90.2) and if he continues to play at that stage, this Argos workforce might be making a late-season run.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: WR SHEMAR BRIDGES, HAMILTON VS. CB BENJIE FRANKLIN, TORONTO
It would possibly shock many to be taught that Bridges, a rookie, at present leads the entire league in receiving snaps performed. He’s caught the second-most passes at 73 and ranks high 10 in yards per route run common (1.57) and explosive receptions (22). He’ll be going up in opposition to one of many CFL’s most bodily corners in Franklin. The Toronto nook has a powerful 78.8 protection grade this yr and ranks second with 11 compelled incompletions. However, he surrenders 1.40 yards per protection snap, which is the fifth-highest mark within the league. Franklin will quit yards however makes plenty of massive performs to make up for it. Hamilton will look to benefit from that with its spectacular rookie receiver.
PLAYER TO WATCH: DI CASEY SAYLES, HAMILTON
Nobody within the CFL has a better pass-rushing grade than Sayles’ 90.0 this season. The inside defensive lineman has been a power of nature on the subject of getting after the quarterback. Sayles has 40 whole pressures, essentially the most amongst inside defenders. His 13.8% pass-rush win price ranks seventh amongst all defenders, and he’s had a league-leading 31 move rushes with a grade of +1 or higher. He additionally ranks second within the CFL with 4 batted passes. Sayles is not any slouch on the subject of stopping the run both. He’s made 15 solo stops in opposition to the run, the fifth-most within the league.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS VS. CALGARY STAMPEDERS
The Roughriders’ playoff hopes are hanging on by a thread. The Roughriders began the season 5-1 and sat comfortably atop the West Division. Since then they’ve gone 0-6-1 and are actually solely a half-game forward of Edmonton for the ultimate playoff spot within the West. More importantly, not less than on the subject of this recreation, they’re only one recreation forward of Calgary. A win for the Stampeders would permit them to manage their future down the stretch to the playoffs. They bought a good recreation out of QB Jake Maier in his return to the beginning lineup final week (66.3 recreation grade), however he was benched in Week 14 for a cause. Calgary wants higher from him, particularly going up in opposition to a protection that has as a lot expertise as Saskatchewan.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: WR REGGIE BEGELTON, CALGARY VS. HB DAMARCUS FIELDS, SASKATCHEWAN
Since Week 9, there’s been no higher receiver within the CFL than Reggie Begelton. In that span, the Stampeder slotback leads the league in catches (42), yards (601), missed tackles compelled (16), explosive receptions (13) and ranks second in yards per route run (2.56). Fields has allowed 35 catches for 499 yards this season whereas breaking apart 4 passes and selecting off one other. Only 14 of these catches have gone for first downs, among the best first downs surrendered price amongst halfbacks within the CFL. Fields doesn’t get the eye that his secondary cohorts Rolan Milligan and Marcus Sayles have gotten at instances this season, however he’s been very strong. If he can decelerate Begelton, it’ll be a very good day for Saskatchewan.
PLAYER TO WATCH: QB TREVOR HARRIS, SASKATCHEWAN
While Harris hasn’t been even near unhealthy since his return from harm, he nonetheless must work on some issues if he needs to guide Saskatchewan out of this winless stoop. The quarterback has a second-best 90.5 passing grade this season however has an equal 12 big-time throws and 12 turnover-worthy performs. Eight of these have are available his final three video games alone. Harris has all the time been recognized for his pinpoint accuracy, and his 78.1% adjusted completion price reveals that he hasn’t misplaced that contact. Nonetheless, he must cease forcing throws into protection and turning the ball over. If he can try this whereas persevering with to be correct and add his occasional big-time throw, Saskatchewan ought to have the ability to come out on high.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES VS. OTTAWA REDBLACKS
The Redblacks are in a fantastic spot as we enter the stretch run of the season, regardless of the powerful loss final week. Ottawa is a recreation and a half forward of Toronto for the second spot within the East and an all-important residence playoff recreation. The Redblacks are 6-0-1 at residence, so getting that homefield benefit is large for them. QB Dru Brown goes to should be very cautious with the soccer, one thing he’s struggled with this season. He leads the CFL with 25 turnover-worthy performs, seven greater than second-most. The Alouettes have a two-game cushion for the highest spot within the CFL, and a win right here would all however assure them that No. 1 seed. Montreal has abruptly appeared beatable after tying and shedding their previous two video games. A giant efficiency from QB Cody Fajardo (84.9 season grade) would go a great distance on this one.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: RT JOSH DONOVAN, MONTREAL VS. EDGE LORENZO MAULDIN IV, OTTAWA
Mauldin has been one of many CFL’s premier pass-rushers over the previous two seasons. In 2022, he was the Most Outstanding Defensive participant and had 67 whole pressures. Last yr, he almost matched that with 65 pressures. This season, with 5 video games remaining, he already has 64 whole pressures, essentially the most within the league by a big margin. Donovan can also be a league chief, however within the mistaken form of method. His 36 whole pressures allowed is essentially the most within the CFL and his 95.5 pass-blocking effectivity score is the third-lowest within the league. He’s been the one weak hyperlink on a really spectacular Montreal offensive line. If Mauldin can discover success in opposition to Donovan, it might be the difference-maker.
PLAYER TO WATCH: WR JUSTIN HARDY, OTTAWA
A yr after breaking 1,000 yards in a season in his ultimate recreation, Hardy shattered that mark by doing it with 5 video games remaining. Hardy ranks second within the league with 31 explosive receptions and fifth with 11 contested catches. His 1.99 yards per route run common is the third-highest within the CFL and his 77.5 receiving grade is second-best. Hardy is proving to be one of many high receivers in your complete league. If Ottawa goes to maintain this very spectacular season going, it’s going to incorporate massive video games from their latest star receiver. This might be a type of video games in opposition to an excellent Montreal protection.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS VS. EDMONTON ELKS
If you appeared forward to this recreation in Week 8, it appeared prefer it would possibly resolve the underside of the West Division. Winnipeg was 2-6, and Edmonton was 0-7 and each appeared like their seasons have been misplaced. Since then, Winnipeg has gained 5 straight, whereas Edmonton has gone 5-1. They went from two of the worst groups to the 2 hottest. Winnipeg sits atop the West Division, whereas Edmonton is a mere half-game out of the ultimate playoff spot. Winnipeg has been profitable at instances regardless of QB Zach Collaros, who has not appeared anyplace near the dominant QB of the previous few years. His 72.8 season grade in 2024 is a major step again from 2023 (86.4) and 2022 (87.3). Edmonton has been having fun with success at quarterback irrespective of if it’s McLeod Bethel-Thompson (90.5) or Tre Ford (83.5). Ford might be getting the beginning on this one, nevertheless.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: QB TRE FORD, EDMONTON VS. CB TYRELL FORD, WINNIPEG
This isn’t a direct matchup per se, however seeing the dual brothers go in opposition to one another goes to be a enjoyable sight. The quarterbacking Ford has been spectacular in his restricted taking part in time this season, posting an 88.0 passing grade with 5 big-time throws to only one turnover-worthy play on 50 passing makes an attempt. He’s some of the electrical quarterbacks within the league. Across the sphere, the identical might be stated concerning the defensive Ford. The Winnipeg nook has helped spark their season turnaround with a league-leading six interceptions and 15 compelled incompletions. He leads the league with a 92.1 protection grade. Whichever Ford brother has the higher recreation may resolve this complete matchup.
PLAYER TO WATCH: ED WILLIE JEFFERSON, WINNIPEG
Big Willie Jefferson performed his first snap within the CFL a decade in the past. The proven fact that he’s nonetheless doing what he’s doing ten years later is nothing wanting unbelievable. Jefferson’s 80.9 pass-rushing grade is the second-highest amongst edge rushers. He has 46 whole pressures, tied for third-most amongst any place. His pass-rush win price (13.9%), strain price (10.3%) and pass-rushing productiveness rating (5.8) are all top-six marks. Of course, he as soon as once more leads the league in batted passes with seven. Jefferson’s batted move numbers are unbelievable. Over the previous three seasons that PFF has graded the CFL, Jefferson has batted 33 passes, almost triple another defender.