By the time the Calgary Stampeders take the field Saturday, there’s a chance the division title may still be up for grabs.
Calgary will play the BC Lions Saturday evening at BC Place as the late game of a CFL triple-header slate of games. If Saskatchewan — the current West Division leader — loses earlier in the day against Edmonton (4 p.m. ET on TSN) it’ll open the door for Calgary to usurp the Riders and repeat as West Division champions.
But even if Saskatchewan wins, a Calgary victory would ensure that they’ll play a home playoff game. A loss would mean they’d play a Western Semi-Final game in Manitoba against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Will the Stampeders be peeking at the earlier game to check on their West Division hopes? You can count on Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell to show some interest, at least.
“I might watch a little bit,” Mitchell said. “Honestly, I always watch every game that’s on. Before our game, I feel like it kind of gets you ready, gets you into it a little bit. It just doesn’t change anything for us. No matter what we have to win our game, whether it’s for first or second or third.
BC Lions head coach DeVone Claybrooks and his team are looking forward to playing spoiler as they put the finishing touches on their season. The Lions will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and only the second time since 1996. A victory over Calgary would be their first over a West Division rival this season.
“You’ve got to make sure your front porch is clean before you worry about sweeping off somebody else’s,” Claybrooks said.
“Winning the game is priority number one,” he added. “If I don’t get to see any of the young guys, I’d rather take the win than anything else. I can always re-assess them at next year’s training camp type thing. You want to go out there, put forth your best effort and put on a good show.”
Danny O’Brien will start at quarterback for the Lions. In five games this year, he has one touchdown pass and two interceptions, while throwing for 281 yards.
The Stamps will be without some regulars in Saturday’s contest, including receiver Eric Rogers. The 28-year old had 85 catches this season to go with 10 touchdowns and 1,080 receiving yards in 17 games. Rogers has been moved to his team’s one-game injured list. Receiver Aaron Peck will replace Rogers, having played just one game and posting 42 receiving yards this season.
Defensive back Royce Metchie will also miss Saturday’s contest. An injury caused him to leave last week’s game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and he won’t play against the Lions. Jamari Gilbert will help provide reinforcements in the secondary. Terry Williams will suit up at running back Saturday, backing up Don Jackson who returns to the starting role.
Lions running back Brandon Rutley, defensive lineman Jonathan Newsome, linebacker O’Shane Samuels, and offensive lineman Peter Godber will draw into BC’s lineup for the game.
Receiver Jevon Cottoy, offensive lineman Joel Figueroa, defensive back Jamie Harry, and defensive lineman Mat Boesen are among the players out. Backup quarterback Grant Kraemer is also off the active roster after being injured.
BY THE NUMBERS
40 — BC running back John White needs 40 yards to reach the 1,000 yard plateau for the first time in his career.
2 — The Stamps have lost their last two road games and haven’t lost three in a row since the 2011 season.
14 — Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell has thrown at least one touchdown pass in each of the last 14 games
13 — How many times have the BC Lions defeated the Stampeders within their last 13 meetings? Just twice. The Stamps have even won their last three meetings at BC Place.
– With files from BCLions.com and Stampeders.com
AFI, Yare Media and the CFL
American Football International is collaborating with Yare Media and the Canadian Football League to present 2019 CFL games live. This is more than a livestream. This is a stream of the top flight TSN network television broadcast.
LIVE STREAM PPV: CFL – Calgary Stampeders @BC Lions, Sat. Nov. 2, 7p (10p ET, 3a Nov. 3 CET)