Saskatchewan Roughriders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers can clinch playoff spots in Week 20

Photo courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers can officially clinch playoff spots this week, the CFL confirmed on Wednesday.

In order to secure a postseason berth, the Riders (8-8) must defeat the Montreal Alouettes (13-3) on Saturday afternoon, then see the Calgary Stampeders (8-9) lose to the B.C. Lions (10-6) that night. Saskatchewan was blown out 44-24 by Montreal in their first meeting last week, while the Stamps and Lions each have one victory over the other this season.

Saskatchewan can also get in this week if they win and Winnipeg loses on Friday night against the Edmonton Elks (12-4), even if Calgary wins. In that circumstance, the worst scenario that could occur next week would be a three-way tie at 9-9, which would result in a fourth-place finish for the Riders and a crossover spot.

The Riders are the defending Grey Cup champions, after defeating the Alouettes 25-17 in Winnipeg last November. They have made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, but missed out in the two seasons before that.

The Bombers (8-8) control their own destiny and can punch their ticket to the postseason with a victory over Edmonton. The Green and Gold have captured both of the previous two meetings between the teams this year, though they’ve only done so by a combined margin of victory of eight points.

If Winnipeg doesn’t get the job done themselves, a Calgary loss would suffice in putting them into the playoffs.

The Bombers have made the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons, appearing in five Grey Cups during that span and winning two. They missed the CFL championship game for the first time in six years in 2025, losing to the Montreal Alouettes in the East Semi-Final as a crossover team. They last won a playoff game in 2024, defeating Saskatchewan in the West Final.

The Stampeders cannot clinch a playoff spot this week, though they could be eliminated from contention in the event that they lose to B.C. and Saskatchewan wins. If that does not occur, they will enter the final week of the regular season on a bye and needing help to qualify.

Calgary have made the playoffs in 19 of the last 20 seasons, with the lone miss coming in 2024. The club hasn’t hosted a postseason game since 2019 or won in the playoffs since 2018, when they defeated the Ottawa Redblacks to win the 106th Grey Cup.

As has been previously announced, the Montreal Alouettes, Edmonton Elks, Toronto Argonauts, and B.C. Lions have each clinched postseason berths, while the Ottawa Redblacks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats have been eliminated from playoff contention. Montreal has also clinched first place in the East Division.

The Elks can follow suit and clinch first place in the West with a victory this week or a loss by B.C. The Lions will secure the rights to a home playoff game if they win or Winnipeg loses.

The 113th Grey Cup is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.