Week 18 Preview

With the Scotiabank Championships less than a month away, Week #18 brings playoff-like drama as the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Edmonton Eskimos and Winnipeg Blue Bombers look to fill the two remaining post-season positions. The Montreal Alouettes, Toronto Argonauts and Calgary Stampeders are all playing for home field advantage in the post-season, ensuring this weekend will be filled with drama.

Here’s a look at this week’s match-ups:

ALS (9-6) vs.  RIDERS (7-8)

Game Day: Friday, October 13   Location: Mosaic Stadium        

Game Time: 9:30 ET    TV Broadcast: TSN / RDS

The Saskatchewan Roughriders welcome the Montreal Alouettes to Mosaic Stadium after losing a week earlier to the Als 35-8 in Montreal. The Alouettes defence was smothering, recording six sacks and two interceptions. Click here to view the box score and stats.

Stats & Facts

-      With a win over Saskatchewan, Montreal clinches a home post-season game.

-      With a win over Montreal combined with an Edmonton loss, Saskatchewan clinches a post-season spot.

-      Saskatchewan is 5-3 at home; Montreal is 4-3 on the road.

-      Montreal is 2-4 against West opponents. Saskatchewan is 3-3 against East opponents.

-      Saskatchewan has the top rush defence in the League, limiting opponents to an average of 84 yards rushing per game. The ‘Riders defence also ranks second in sacks with 43, led by Fred Perry’s 13.

-      The touchdown race is still tied as both Montreal’s Robert Edwards and BC’s Geroy Simon have 14.

-      Saskatchewan’s Kenton Keith has 973 yards, just 27 shy of reaching the 1,000-yard plateau for the second time in his career.

ARGOS (9-6) vs. ESKS (5-10)

Game Day: Saturday, October 14 Location: Commonwealth Stadium      

Game Time: 3:00 ET    TV Broadcast: CBC

The Edmonton Eskimos welcome the Toronto Argonauts to Commonwealth Stadium looking for revenge as they try to extend their 34-year consecutive post-seasons streak alive. Last week in Toronto, the Eskimos played a strong game, falling short to the Argos who have won seven of their last eight games. Click here to view the box score and stats.

Stats & Facts

-      A win over Edmonton combined with a Winnipeg loss clinches a home post-season game for Toronto.

-      An Edmonton loss would clinch a post-season spot for Winnipeg, and end any crossover possibility for the Eskimos.

-      Edmonton is 4-3 at home; Toronto is 4-4 on the road.

-      Toronto is 3-3 against West opponents. Edmonton is 0-6 against East opponents.

-      Toronto is 3-1 when playing teams back-to-back. Edmonton is 2-4 when playing teams back-to-back.

-      Edmonton running back Troy Davis collected his first 100-yard game of the season last week against Toronto (22 carries, 189 yards). Davis has always played well against the Argos, including a 233-yard performance in 2004.

-      The combined efforts of Ricky Williams and John Avery resulted in 137 rushing yards (147 team total) for the Argos, the highest game total of the season.

BOMBERS (7-8) vs TICATS (4-12)

Game Day: Sunday, October 15             Location: Ivor Wynne Stadium  

Game Time: 1:00 ET    TV Broadcast: TSN      

Both teams are coming off bye weeks as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats look to play the role of spoiler when they face the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday. With a win, the Bombers will clinch a post-season berth. The last time these clubs met at Ivor Wynne, the Bombers shutout the Ticats, winning 29-0. Click here to view the box score and stats.

Stats & Facts

-      Hamilton is 2-6 at home; Winnipeg is 4-3 on the road.

-      Hamilton has only won one game against East Division opponents (1-8) this season. Winnipeg is 4-5 against East teams.

-      Hamilton is expected to start backup quarterback Kevin Eakin. Eakin has seen action in five games this year, completing 20 of 50 passes for 202 yards, seven interceptions and no touchdowns.

-      Winnipeg’s Barrin Simpson leads the League in tackles with 92.

-      Bombers running back Charles Roberts remains second in the League in rushing with 1,305 yards, 70 short of League-leader Joffrey Reynolds.

LIONS (11-4) vs STAMPS (9-7)

Game Day: Sunday, October 15             Location: McMahon Stadium    

Game Time: 4:00 ET    TV Broadcast: TSN      

The Calgary Stampeders return home this week to face the B.C. Lions after losing to them 39-13 a week earlier at BC Place Stadium. The Stampeders have lost only one game at home this year and that came against the Lions. Click here to view the box score and stats.

Stats & Facts

-      A win against BC and Calgary clinches second place in the West and the right to host the Scotiabank West Semi-Final for a consecutive year.

-      Calgary is 7-1 at home (tops in the League) and BC is 5-3 on the road (tops in the League).

-      BC has won four of the last five games played in Calgary.

-      BC’s Geroy Simon leads the CFL in receptions (92), yards (1,674) and is tied in touchdowns (14, Robert Edwards).

-      Calgary’s Joffrey Reynolds leads the League in rushing yards with 1,375.

-      Calgary can become the first team in 2006 with two 1,000-yard receivers. Jeremaine Copeland has 911 receiving yards and could join teammate Nik Lewis (1,003) with a solid game on Sunday.

-      BC’s Brent Johnson is looking to lead the League in sacks for the second-straight season. He currently has 15, two more than Fred Perry.

-      The top two interception leaders will match-up in this game. BC’s Barron Miles leads the League with nine picks, followed closely by Calgary’s Coby Rhinehart who has seven.