B.C. Lions can clinch playoff spot with win over Edmonton Elks

Photo courtesy: Paul Yates/B.C. Lions

The B.C. Lions could punch their ticket to the playoffs this week with a win over the Edmonton Elks.

The Lions won the first two meetings between the clubs 22-0 and 27-0, marking the first time in CFL history that a squad shut out the same opponent twice in one season. The Elks have made a number of changes since then, however, most notably promoting Canadian quarterback Tre Ford to the starting role. The former first-round pick has thrown for 1,163 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions this season and carried the ball 47 times for 471 yards and three touchdowns, posting a 4-2 record as a starter.

B.C. is coming off a shocking come-from-behind victory over the Ottawa Redblacks during which they scored three touchdowns in the final three minutes to win 41-37. The Lions have won back-to-back games after a brief midseason slump and can tie the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for first place in the West Division with a win.

The Leos can still qualify for the postseason this week with a loss, provided the Calgary Stampeders lose to the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday, Sept. 23. The Stamps have lost four of their last five games and are 2-4 this season at home.

B.C. returned to the postseason in 2022 following a two-year playoff drought. The club defeated Calgary in the West Semi-Final, their first home postseason game in six years, before losing the West Final in Winnipeg.

The Blue Bombers can also clinch a home playoff game this week if B.C. wins and the Saskatchewan Roughriders lose to the Ottawa Redblacks. The Blue Bombers clinched a postseason berth with a win over the Riders in the Banjo Bowl, marking the seventh straight year in which they’ve qualified for the playoffs.

The Lions (9-4) are scheduled to visit Edmonton (4-10) on Friday, Sept. 22 with kickoff slated for 9:30 p.m. EDT.

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