TORONTO — The 2015 CFL season comes down to a three-game schedule. It’s a four-team, two-game tournament, and whichever of the four remaining teams can win two games in a row will capture the Grey Cup Championship.
Considering what was once ahead of every player, fan, coach and team in the CFL – a full 18-game schedule over four and a half months, all just for a chance to be in the playoffs – it’s amazing to look at these next couple of weeks and say ‘two wins are all it will take to be crowned Grey Cup Champion’.
But that’s where we’ve arrived here in the third week of November, which means some of the performances we are now witnessing will forever be remembered.
You saw last week’s list of Top 30 Players to Watch in the CFL Playoffs, and it generated some interesting discussion. While we’ll continue to monitor that list, this weekend’s matchups offer some pretty intriguing storylines.
With that, here are the top 20 players to watch in this week’s Division Final matchups:
1. Mike Reilly
One of the most polarizing pivots in the game, the time is now for Reilly to rise to the occasion and prove he’s an elite CFL quarterback against the defending Grey Cup Champs.
2. Eric Rogers
He has 16 touchdowns in 22 career games, four touchdowns in his last two games and four touchdowns in three career playoff games. The end zone really is Mister Rogers’ neighbourhood but it won’t be easy against Edmonton’s league-leading defence.
3. Henry Burris
The MOP favourite got the best of his former team in back-to-back games, but can Burris solve an aggressive Ticat defence for the third straight outing? Orlondo Steinauer is a defensive genius and will work hard to keep Burris off balance.
4. Brandon Banks
Banks didn’t score against the Argos, but his role wasn’t unheralded. In a gusty game that highlighted the importance of field position, the Ticats aren’t in the Eastern Final without a productive day on returns from number 16.
5. Derel Walker
Walker was by far the most productive receiver in the CFL this season with 92.5 receiving yards per game, yet in three games against Calgary he averaged only 48.7 yards per game. Can the Most Outstanding Rookie finalist finally solve the Stamps’ secondary?
6. Patrick Watkins
Watkins draws the task of facing the CFL’s leader in touchdown receptions. He limited Rogers for the most part in three head-to-head contests this season, although the Stamps’ top receiver did burn Watkins for a touchdown in the rubber match. Chris Jones likes to play man which means we’ll see a lot of these guys one-on-one.
7. Bo Levi Mitchell
The stat sheet doesn’t begin to explain how good Mitchell was in the Western Semi-Final against BC, a win that moved him to 3-0 as a starter in his playoff career. Now, though, he faces the league’s top defence – one that beat him twice this season – while playing behind a banged up O-line.
8. Chris Williams
Ottawa’s most heralded free agent signing didn’t disappoint in the stat sheet this season, but something about his campaign was underwhelming – perhaps the lack of damage in the return game. Williams is an electrifying player and will be one to watch has he faces his former team in the Eastern Final.
9. Greg Ellingson
You could name any Ottawa receiver here but Ellingson is the REDBLACKS’ go-to target of late, especially against Hamilton. Ellingson went off for 152 yards and three touchdowns on eight catches in the season finale to clinch first place for Ottawa.
10. Jerome Messam
The Stamps’ offence hasn’t missed a beat without Jon Cornish and Messam is a big reason why. The physical back had 147 yards from scrimmage on 19 touches against BC and will look to match his downhill running style against a physical Esks front.
11. Shawn Lemon
Lemon picked up five sacks in nine games since joining the REDBLACKS but has heated up lately in particular, picking up three in his last three games – including two in a 12-6 win against Hamilton two weeks ago. He’ll look to make sure Jeremiah Masoli never gets comfortable for the Ticats.
12. C.J. Gable
A game-changing force late in the Ticats’ win over Toronto, Gable is the glue that holds Hamilton’s offence together. He’ll look to get Hamilton’s run game going but also contribute through the air, all while keeping Masoli protected against Ottawa’s high-pressure front.
13. Rico Murray
Murray stood up well against a talented and athletic Argo receiving corps along with quarterback Ricky Ray, but now he’ll face a greater test against the league’s top receiving corps. The REDBLACKS had four 1,000-yard receivers and will need Murray to be in lockdown mode.
14. Adarius Bowman
Bowman has been up and down this season but he’s the CFL’s top receiver the last two years, last year finishing first in yards and this year finishing second. He also likes playing Calgary, averaging 87.7 receiving yards and 5.3 receptions in three games to go with two touchdowns.
15. Keon Raymond
All Raymond has done his entire career is make plays, and that was again the case on Sunday when he set the tone with a pick-six. Who knows how that game would have turned out without Raymond’s first-half score, but Mike Reilly better know where no. 25 is on the field at all times.
16. Simoni Lawrence
The Ticats’ Most Outstanding Defensive Player will have to be at his best against Henry Burris and the REDBLACKS. There’s no telling what kind of game the Eastern Final will be, but Hamilton needs some help from its defence and special teams – Lawrence has a propensity to make big plays.
17. Ted Laurent
Laurent had two sacks on Ricky Ray in Hamilton’s win over the Argos and will need to have another big day if the Ticats are going to advance to their third straight Grey Cup Championship. He’ll need to generate pressure up the middle and disrupt Henry Burris because if Burris gets comfortable, it’s game over in Ottawa.
18. Jeremiah Masoli
Masoli made the most of a second chance, returning to the game after being pulled to complete seven straight passes in a win over Toronto. Could that be the spark he needs to lead the Ticats to the Grey Cup? All eyes will be on Masoli as he goes head-to-head against Henry Burris.
19. Almondo Sewell
Calgary is hurting on the O-line even more so after losing Shane Bergman and centre Pierre Lavertu to injury last game, an area the Esks’ interior D-line will look to take advantage of. Sewell has played well against Calgary and will look to make life miserable for Bo Levi Mitchell.
20. Justin Medlock
Medlock has been the most consistent kicker this year and against Toronto with the wind made long field goals look like chip shots. Punting will also be a factor but more importantly, keep an eye on Medlock if the Eastern Final comes down to the wire – there isn’t much of a limit to his powerful leg.
Considering what was once ahead of every player, fan, coach and team in the CFL – a full 18-game schedule over four and a half months, all just for a chance to be in the playoffs – it’s amazing to look at these next couple of weeks and say ‘two wins are all it will take to be crowned Grey Cup Champion’.
But that’s where we’ve arrived here in the third week of November, which means some of the performances we are now witnessing will forever be remembered.
You saw last week’s list of Top 30 Players to Watch in the CFL Playoffs, and it generated some interesting discussion. While we’ll continue to monitor that list, this weekend’s matchups offer some pretty intriguing storylines.
With that, here are the top 20 players to watch in this week’s Division Final matchups:
1. Mike Reilly
One of the most polarizing pivots in the game, the time is now for Reilly to rise to the occasion and prove he’s an elite CFL quarterback against the defending Grey Cup Champs.
2. Eric Rogers
He has 16 touchdowns in 22 career games, four touchdowns in his last two games and four touchdowns in three career playoff games. The end zone really is Mister Rogers’ neighbourhood but it won’t be easy against Edmonton’s league-leading defence.
3. Henry Burris
The MOP favourite got the best of his former team in back-to-back games, but can Burris solve an aggressive Ticat defence for the third straight outing? Orlondo Steinauer is a defensive genius and will work hard to keep Burris off balance.
4. Brandon Banks
Banks didn’t score against the Argos, but his role wasn’t unheralded. In a gusty game that highlighted the importance of field position, the Ticats aren’t in the Eastern Final without a productive day on returns from number 16.
5. Derel Walker
Walker was by far the most productive receiver in the CFL this season with 92.5 receiving yards per game, yet in three games against Calgary he averaged only 48.7 yards per game. Can the Most Outstanding Rookie finalist finally solve the Stamps’ secondary?
6. Patrick Watkins
Watkins draws the task of facing the CFL’s leader in touchdown receptions. He limited Rogers for the most part in three head-to-head contests this season, although the Stamps’ top receiver did burn Watkins for a touchdown in the rubber match. Chris Jones likes to play man which means we’ll see a lot of these guys one-on-one.
7. Bo Levi Mitchell
The stat sheet doesn’t begin to explain how good Mitchell was in the Western Semi-Final against BC, a win that moved him to 3-0 as a starter in his playoff career. Now, though, he faces the league’s top defence – one that beat him twice this season – while playing behind a banged up O-line.
8. Chris Williams
Ottawa’s most heralded free agent signing didn’t disappoint in the stat sheet this season, but something about his campaign was underwhelming – perhaps the lack of damage in the return game. Williams is an electrifying player and will be one to watch has he faces his former team in the Eastern Final.
9. Greg Ellingson
You could name any Ottawa receiver here but Ellingson is the REDBLACKS’ go-to target of late, especially against Hamilton. Ellingson went off for 152 yards and three touchdowns on eight catches in the season finale to clinch first place for Ottawa.
10. Jerome Messam
The Stamps’ offence hasn’t missed a beat without Jon Cornish and Messam is a big reason why. The physical back had 147 yards from scrimmage on 19 touches against BC and will look to match his downhill running style against a physical Esks front.
11. Shawn Lemon
Lemon picked up five sacks in nine games since joining the REDBLACKS but has heated up lately in particular, picking up three in his last three games – including two in a 12-6 win against Hamilton two weeks ago. He’ll look to make sure Jeremiah Masoli never gets comfortable for the Ticats.
12. C.J. Gable
A game-changing force late in the Ticats’ win over Toronto, Gable is the glue that holds Hamilton’s offence together. He’ll look to get Hamilton’s run game going but also contribute through the air, all while keeping Masoli protected against Ottawa’s high-pressure front.
13. Rico Murray
Murray stood up well against a talented and athletic Argo receiving corps along with quarterback Ricky Ray, but now he’ll face a greater test against the league’s top receiving corps. The REDBLACKS had four 1,000-yard receivers and will need Murray to be in lockdown mode.
14. Adarius Bowman
Bowman has been up and down this season but he’s the CFL’s top receiver the last two years, last year finishing first in yards and this year finishing second. He also likes playing Calgary, averaging 87.7 receiving yards and 5.3 receptions in three games to go with two touchdowns.
15. Keon Raymond
All Raymond has done his entire career is make plays, and that was again the case on Sunday when he set the tone with a pick-six. Who knows how that game would have turned out without Raymond’s first-half score, but Mike Reilly better know where no. 25 is on the field at all times.
16. Simoni Lawrence
The Ticats’ Most Outstanding Defensive Player will have to be at his best against Henry Burris and the REDBLACKS. There’s no telling what kind of game the Eastern Final will be, but Hamilton needs some help from its defence and special teams – Lawrence has a propensity to make big plays.
17. Ted Laurent
Laurent had two sacks on Ricky Ray in Hamilton’s win over the Argos and will need to have another big day if the Ticats are going to advance to their third straight Grey Cup Championship. He’ll need to generate pressure up the middle and disrupt Henry Burris because if Burris gets comfortable, it’s game over in Ottawa.
18. Jeremiah Masoli
Masoli made the most of a second chance, returning to the game after being pulled to complete seven straight passes in a win over Toronto. Could that be the spark he needs to lead the Ticats to the Grey Cup? All eyes will be on Masoli as he goes head-to-head against Henry Burris.
19. Almondo Sewell
Calgary is hurting on the O-line even more so after losing Shane Bergman and centre Pierre Lavertu to injury last game, an area the Esks’ interior D-line will look to take advantage of. Sewell has played well against Calgary and will look to make life miserable for Bo Levi Mitchell.
20. Justin Medlock
Medlock has been the most consistent kicker this year and against Toronto with the wind made long field goals look like chip shots. Punting will also be a factor but more importantly, keep an eye on Medlock if the Eastern Final comes down to the wire – there isn’t much of a limit to his powerful leg.
