B.C. linebacker Solomon Elimimian, in action here against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, needs 10 tackles to break the CFL’s single-season recordGeoff Robins/Reuters
B.C. Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian could have two big reasons to smile Saturday night.
First, B.C. (8-7) can clinch a playoff berth with a victory over the struggling Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-10). Elimimian also needs 10 tackles to break the CFL single-season mark of 130 held by J.C. Sherritt of the Edmonton Eskimos.
The Lions linebacker has recorded 10 or more tackles seven times this season.
Barring injury, Elimimian will break Sherritt's mark and be the overwhelming favourite to claim the CFL's outstanding defensive player award next month in Vancouver. But B.C. also has a solid shot to secure a playoff berth facing a Bombers' team that's dropped seven straight and nine of its last 10 games.
Fortunately for Winnipeg, starter Drew Willy (hand) returns after missing last weekend's 33-23 loss to the Calgary Stampeders. Backup Brian Brohm was 14-of-23 passing for 194 yards before suffering a broken thumb.
No. 3 Robert Marve will serve as Willy's backup after completing 5 of 10 passes for 64 yards against Calgary. Running back Paris Cotton, who replaced the departed Nic Grigsby as the starter, had 108 yards and two TDs on 14 carries.
Winnipeg remains in playoff contention, but just barely. The Bombers would not only have to win their final two regular-season games but also get plenty of help to reach the postseason.
Getting into the playoffs is asking a lot of a Winnipeg squad that hasn't won since a 24-16 home decision over the Montreal Alouettes on Aug. 22. B.C. not only comes off a bye week but a pretty dominant 41-3 home win over Ottawa on Oct. 11. The Lions' defence hasn't allowed a touchdown its past three games, which isn't exactly good news for the struggling Bombers.
The Lions and Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-7) both face two potential playoff scenarios.
Currently, B.C. is fourth in the West Division. Either the Lions or Riders will secure the third Western playoff seed but the fourth-place squad would become the East Division's third playoff seed if it ended the regular season with a better record than the Eastern third-place finisher.
A more pressing concern for B.C. is Winnipeg, but the Bombers are just 1-7 against West Division competition this year.
Pick: B.C.
Montreal Alouettes at Ottawa RedBlacks
Jonathan Crompton is 6-1 as the starter for Montreal (7-8) and looks to improve to 3-0 against Ottawa (2-13). Crompton has won despite a 59.8 completion percentage.
The Alouettes' defence surrendered just four field goals in last weekend's 20-12 road win in Toronto. Henry Burris starts for Ottawa, but backup Danny O'Brien will see action.
Pick: Montreal.
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Calgary Stampeders
Having already clinched first in the West, Calgary (13-2) is unlikely to dress running back Jon Cornish due to general soreness.
Kerry Joseph, 41, will make his second straight start for Saskatchewan (9-7) after completing 17 of 36 passes for 213 yards with two TDs and two interceptions in Sunday's 24-19 loss to Edmonton.
Pick: Calgary.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Toronto Argonauts
The winner clinches the season series, but Toronto (6-9) needs the victory to remain within striking distance of first in the East. Grigsby, who ran for 744 yards with Winnipeg, should boost Hamilton's ground game.
Pick: Toronto.
Last week: 3-1.
Overall: 46-23.