CFL Week 12 Recap: Best in the West

Week 11 saw the first official playoff scenario, and it was fulfilled. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers became the first team to lock in a playoff spot with their 26-16 win over the Edmonton Elks. Entering Week 12, the Bombers had another goal: 1st place in the West Division. All they needed was a victory to achieve that goal. There were other scenarios that would get the Bombers a home playoff game at least: even if they lose, a loss from the Saskatchewan Roughriders would get it, or a loss by less than 21 points coupled with a Calgary Stampeders loss would get them a home playoff game.

None of those other scenarios were necessary, as the Bombers took care of business, and then some. A 45-0 blowout home victory over the BC Lions got the job done! As a result, the road in the West Division will have to go through Winnipeg, who has now won eight straight games. The Bombers will host the West Division Final on December 5.

Week 12 actually kicked off with an important East Division game between the Toronto Argonauts and the Montréal Alouettes, with the Argos looking to increase their lead in the East Division. However, that would not be the case, as the Alouettes poured it on, being led by Willian Stanback, who rushed for 203 yards and a touchdown as part of the Als' 37-16 win over the Boatmen. The season series between the Argonauts and Alouettes is now finished, and with a series split, the next four weeks will be spent scoreboard watching.

The Bombers' win was the middle game of a Saturday tripleheader that began with the other half of the East Division, the Ottawa Redblacks and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, facing each other in Hamilton. This was another blowout; the TiCats won, 32-3, to keep pace in the East Division, while the Redblacks' disastrous season continues. The week ended in Calgary, as the Stampeders were looking to continue their recent winning ways against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The two teams were very close in the standings entering this matchup, as 2nd place in the West (as well as hosting the West Division Semifinal) was up for grabs. The game was close throughout, but in the end, Calgary's attempt to at least tie it up on their final drive fell short, and the Riders held on to win, 20-17.

Well, CFL fans, we made it. We are three-quarters through this amazing and wild season. The playoff races are getting close and very gritty, as they often do in any football league that enters the home stretch. Here's how things look entering the final four weeks of the season.

In the West Division, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are 10-1, and they are locked in at first place. They also end Week 12 as the only team officially in the Grey Cup Playoffs; five spots remain. The Saskatchewan Roughriders improved to 6-4 with their win over the Calgary Stampeders, who drop to 5-6. The British Columbia Lions drop to 4-6, while the idle Edmonton Elks remain at 2-7. Entering the final four weeks, the Riders lead the race for 2nd and home field in the West Division Semifinal.

In the East Division, the Montréal Alouettes and the Toronto Argonauts are tied at 6-4, but the Als' 5-2 record in division play makes them the first place team. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are 5-5, and the Ottawa Redblacks are 2-9. At this point, the crossover would not take place, as the Tiger-Cats have a better record than the Lions. Regarding division play, the Als and TiCats have one division game left, while the Boatmen have two. The Als and Argos each face Ottawa in the home stretch, while the Argos also host the TiCats later in the season. This will be an interesting final four weeks.

The home stretch begins with Week 13 on Friday, October 29, as the Ottawa Redblacks will host the Calgary Stampeders, which will be followed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats hosting the Edmonton Elks. On Saturday, October 30, the Toronto Argonauts will host the BC Lions, and the Montréal Alouettes will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

If you like this story, feel free to click the heart below, and if you love this story, feel free to leave a tip (if you want)!