CFL Week 14 Recap: One Spot Remains

The 2021 Canadian Football League season has now entered the month of November, and in a normal season, November is the month that the Grey Cup Playoffs take place. However, because this season got off to a late start and is shortened by a few weeks, this November will feature the final three weeks of the regular season, with the playoffs starting on November 28. Speaking of the playoffs, here's who qualified entering Week 14.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers clinched a playoff spot in Week 11, and locked up first place in the West Division in Week 12. Week 13 saw the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Toronto Argonauts lock up playoff spots, while the Ottawa Redblacks became the first of three teams eliminated from playoff contention. Regarding the scenarios for Week 14, they were as follows: the Hamilton Tiger-Cats could clinch a playoff spot with a win or tie, while the Montréal Alouettes could lock in a spot with a win or a loss from the BC Lions.

Week 14 started with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats hosting the BC Lions, and while that game started even at 3 after one quarter, it was all TiCats the rest of the way. Despite BC's attempts to get back in it, including a late touchdown in the fourth quarter, there just wasn't enough time. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats won, 26-18, in what ended up being a very close game. Therefore, as a result, not only are the Tiger-Cats in the playoffs, but the Alouettes are as well, as they needed BC to lose to get in. In addition, because the East Division has three playoff teams, Hamilton's win also eliminates the crossover, as the best the Lions can do is tie the Alouettes in the overall standings. The crossover only happens if the fourth place team in one division has a better record than the third place team in the opposite division.

Later that Friday evening, the Saskatchewan Roughriders faced the Edmonton Elks in what was another close affair, but it ended up going the Riders' way, as they won, 19-17, over the lowly Elks. The Riders' win strengthened their hold on 2nd place in the West Division, as they are in a race with the Calgary Stampeders (who were idle this week) for that important position. As for the Elks, they became the second team eliminated from playoff contention, a far cry from their previous season, which saw them at 8-10 but in the playoffs.

The Saturday half of the Week 14 schedule kicked off in Ontario, with the Ottawa Redblacks hosting the Toronto Argonauts. The Argos could not clinch first place, or even a home playoff date this week, but they were still looking to make a strong case as leaders of the East Division. The Redblacks, however, were out of the race and looking to play spoiler, and it looked like they were going to do just that, as they kept the Argos out of the end zone for most of the game. Ottawa led 13-9 at the half, and they began the 2nd half with a 100-yard return on the opening kickoff. They led 20-9, but that would be the end of their offense. The Boatmen ended up scoring 14 unanswered, and their defense held off Ottawa's last attacks, resulting in a 23-20 win for the Argonauts.

The final game of Week 14 was a meaningless affair between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Montréal Alouettes. It became completely meaningless with the Tiger-Cats' win over the Lions, as the Lions' loss put the Als into the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Bombers had wrapped up everything, so this was the beginning of three games that are basically "practice" for the playoffs. The Bombers and Alouettes went back and forth all game, but a 10-0 fourth quarter for the defending champions was the difference. Bombers won 31-21; their ninth straight win.

So Week 14 is in the books, and with two weeks left in the regular season, here's how things stand. In the West Division, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers improve to 11-1, while the Saskatchewan Roughriders are 8-4. The idle Calgary Stampeders are 6-6, the BC Lions' sixth straight loss drops them to 4-8, and the Edmonton Elks are 2-9. In the East Division, the Toronto Argonauts lead at 8-4, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats stand at 7-5, the Montréal Alouettes drop to 6-6, and the Ottawa Redblacks are a dismal 2-11. As for the playoff races, here's the story.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been locked in at first place since Week 12, and will host the West Division Final on December 5. Elsewhere in the West, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have a two game lead for 2nd place, and are one win or one Calgary Stampeders loss away from sealing the position and hosting the West Division Semifinal on November 28. With the BC Lions' loss, the Stampeders are one win away from clinching the last playoff spot available, and setting up a playoff matchup with the Roughriders. The only way the Lions can get into the playoffs is by winning out (including defeating the Stamps again) and the Stamps losing their regular season finale; a loss in either of their final two games would end BC's season and put Calgary in.

First place in the East Division is still up for grabs, though the Toronto Argonauts could wrap it up and go on to host the East Division Final on December 5 with a win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this upcoming Friday. Though the Montréal Alouettes remain alive in the race for a home playoff game (and possibly first place), their next loss could seal them as the 3rd place team and send them to the province of Ontario for the East Division Semifinal. The final two weeks will be very, very interesting.

Week 15 will kick off on Friday, November 12 with the pivotal East Division game between the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, with the Argos clinching first place if they win this matchup. Later that day, the BC Lions will host the Calgary Stampeders in an elimination game for the former. The scenarios in that game are simple: if Calgary wins or the game ends tied, they're in. If BC wins, they can get in with a win and a Calgary loss on the final week. On Saturday, November 13, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Montréal Alouettes will face each other again, this time in Montréal, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders will host the Edmonton Elks. A win or tie would give the Riders 2nd place in the West, and home field in the West Division Semifinal, though they could get that before taking the field if the Stampeders lose or tie.

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