The Edmonton Eskimos quarter back Ricky Ray throws during practice in Edmonton on Friday, November 18, 2011 prior to Sunday's CFL Western Final against the B.C. Lions in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John UlanJohn Ulan/The Canadian Press
EAST DIVISION
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Sunday, 1 p.m.
The last CFL game at Canad Inns Stadium will be the first playoff meeting in a decade between these two franchises, both aiming to author great turnaround stories.
While the East Division leaders sat out last week, Hamilton showed new resolve in a 52-44 overtime upset win over the reigning Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes. It put some shine on a mediocre 8-10 season and silenced those casting doubt on head coach Marcel Bellefeuille and quarterback Kevin Glenn, who didn't settle for another first-round shutdown.
The Bombers won all three meetings between the teams in the regular season. They intercepted Glenn for touchdowns three times and he was pulled in two of the games. Glenn is acutely aware of the opposition's opportunistic ways, as he faces two of the CFL's top three leaders in interceptions: defensive backs Jovon Johnson and Jonathan Hefney. The Tabbies are likely to run tailback Avon Cobourne hard, a winning recipe last week.
It could be a quarterback's nightmare as this game features the league's top two sack-masters, defensive ends Justin Hickman of Hamilton and Odell Willis of Winnipeg. Also look for a big showing from Bombers defensive end Doug Brown, trying to delay his retirement until next Nov. 27.
Bombers pivot Buck Pierce returns after spraining his knee and missing the regular-season finale. If he's healthy enough, the Bombers may well cap their remarkable journey from 4-14 in 2010, to the 2011 Grey Cup game.
The Pick Winnipeg
WEST DIVISION
Edmonton Eskimos at B.C. Lions
Sunday, 4:30 p.m.
The Eskimos hit the West Coast feeling mighty fine after a 33-19 ravaging of the Calgary Stampeders in the West semi-final.
In that game, quarterback Ricky Ray was good when he had to be, while the defence was strong when needed. Still, there are problems. Canadian running back Jerome Messam (1,057 yards, six touchdowns) suffered a season-ending knee injury. Import Hugh Charles and Canadian Calvin McCarty will share the rushing duties. Both can catch the ball out of the backfield better than Messam.
Still, it's what happens up front along the line of scrimmage that will determine the outcome. The Eskimos have to provide Ray with time to throw. Against the likes of B.C. barriers Khalif Mitchell, Keron Williams and Aaron Hunt, that won't be easy.
Offensively, on their home turf, the Lions are built for speed and ready to go. The Arland Bruce-Geroy Simon receivers pairing has been good for both veterans allowing them to torment defenders while opening up free spots for Shawn Gore and Paris Jackson.
And don't forget running back Andrew Harris. In a September game against Edmonton, he caught a pair of touchdown passes from Travis Lulay and totalled 175 yards in offence.
Finally, the Lions' ace in the hole is veteran kicker Paul McCallum. He set a record for accuracy during the regular season (94.3 per cent) and scored 203 points; the rest of the team scored 308.
The Pick B.C.
Last week; 2-0
Regular season: 41-31
All times Eastern
Rachel Brady