The Stampeders have struggled in recent playoff games, but did win all three meetings this season with Edmonton. (Photo credit: IcE MaN Photography / Foter / CC BY)
The Grey Cup betting finalists will be decided this weekend as the CFL holds its conference finals.
We take a closer look at the two Grey Cup semis: Montreal at Hamilton, and Edmonton at Calgary.
Montreal Alouettes at Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Weather report
It’s been extremely cold in southern Ontario this week, but temperatures are expected to be up to eight degrees for Sunday’s contest. As of Tuesday, there was an 80% chance of rain.
History lesson
The rubber match between these rivals will determine the East representative in the Grey Cup. Montreal won the first meeting this season, 38-31 at home in September, but the Ti-Cats returned the favour with a 29-15 win earlier this month in Hamilton.
Extra motivation?
The Alouettes have been talking trash since whipping the B.C. Lions 50-17 in last weekend’s Eastern semifinal, with several players guaranteeing a win over Hamilton.
Ti-Cats well rested
The Ticats took advantage of their bye to the East final by taking an entire week off from practice. This will be the first time Hamilton has hosted the East title game since 1998, and the Tiger-Cats are 6-0 this season at Tim Hortons Field.
Trainer’s room
Hamilton hopes to have injured WR Andy Fantuz (hamstring) back for Sunday. Defensive end John Bowman (12 sacks) is Montreal’s biggest concern after leaving last weekend’s game against B.C. with a rib injury.
Trending under
Montreal has covered the spread in five of its last six against Hamilton, and four of the last five meetings have gone under. The under is 17-4 in Hamilton’s last 21 games at home, and 14-3 in Montreal’s last 17 on the road.
Edmonton Eskimos at Calgary Stampeders
Weather report
Temperatures are projected to be below freezing Sunday in Calgary, but no precipitation was anticipated as of Tuesday.
History lesson
Calgary has handed Edmonton three of its six losses this season. The Stamps earned a 26-22 road victory in July, dumped the Eskimos 28-13 on Labour Day in Calgary and prevailed 41-34 in Edmonton five days later. Edmonton holds a slight edge in all-time playoff meetings between the clubs, 11-10.
Quarterback quandaries
Edmonton QB Mike Reilly reportedly has a broken foot and did not start last week’s win over Saskatchewan in the West semis. He completed six of eight passes for 53 yards in a relief effort, coming into the game midway through the third quarter. Reilly is expected to get the start against Calgary. The Stamps might have concerns at QB as well, with Bo Levi Mitchell making his first career playoff start. Mitchell did, however, throw a touchdown pass in the 2012 Grey Cup against the Argos.
Running wild
Calgary boasts the league-leading rusher in Jon Cornish, who returns to action after sitting out the Stamps’ final regular-season game due to concussion protocol. Edmonton has the second-leading running game in the CFL, led by John White. But it’s also important to remember the Eskimos were second in the league in rushing defence, followed closely by the Stamps.
Trainer’s room
Calgary expects to have WR Maurice Price, who also missed the Stamps’ last game due to concussion protocol, back Sunday. The Stamps are also optimistic that DE Charleston Hughes, the CFL’s top defensive player last season, will return after missing seven games with a leg injury. Eskimos’ biggest injury concern is obviously Reilly.
Trending every which way
Edmonton is 8-1 against the spread in its last nine games overall, 11-4 ATS in its last 15 road games and 8-3 ATS in its last 11 playoff contests. Calgary is 0-6-2 ATS in its last eight playoff home games, and 1-6-1 ATS in its last eight playoff games overall. The Stamps have, however, covered five straight meetings with the Eskimos.