The league leading BC Lions can pretty well put a stake through the first place hearts of Calgary tonight and as though to rub it in, they can use the Edmonton Eskimos as their dagger.
The Lions host the Eskimos at BC Place tonight, the chance to bring the Stampeders thoughts of first place to an end should they secure the win.
BC brings the most balanced squad in the league to the battle tonight, a solid offensive unit that while battered the last few weeks continues to put points on the board, paired up with the leagues best defensive unit, one which has only surrendered 288 points in the previous sixteen weeks of play.
For Edmonton, the course is a little different, first place has long been forgotten for the Green and Gold, instead, playoff survival has been the mantra for the last few weeks, having gone from a horrible surrender slide to a turning of the ship with two straight wins, the Eskimos still have their eyes set on third and with a few breaks maybe a second place finish in the West.
If nothing else, they could at least secure the CFL crossover berth into the East, an unusual path to the Grey Cup, but one which this season could be the Esks best bet to play into November.
Heading into tonight's game the Eskimos with 14 points are two behind Saskatchewan in the West but, four ahead of Hamilton in the battle for a crossover bid, should Hamilton stumble and the Esks pull off a victory in Vancouver, then it would seem a lock that the Esks at least move on to the playoffs.
A loss won't be a disaster, but for Edmonton a win would certainly be a bonus.
It would appear to be a case of which team wants to improve their station at the moment, for BC it's a matter of preservation, keeping their lead intact and securing home field for the Western Final.
For Edmonton it's more of a case of desperation, though considering the woeful ways of the East this year, a path through the other division might very well prove to be the best move of all for the Eskimos, all they have to do is make sure that they find the wins over the next three weeks to secure it.
That being said, we're not sure that one of those wins will be found at BC Place.
Game Time 7 PM PT, 8 MT, 10 ET BC Place TSN
Edmonton 19 at British Columbia 39 (30,102)
Pre Game
CFL.ca-- Game Preview
CFL.ca-- Video Preview
Globe and Mail-- B. C. Lions keep roaring right along
National Post-- Lions receiver Arland Bruce can't remember collision that left him injured
Edmonton Sun-- Last place Edmonton Eskimos have first-place attitude
Edmonton Journal-- CFL's top dogs can't always be perfect
Vancouver Province-- Centre stage for the understudies with injuries to key players ...
Vancouver Sun-- Travis Lulay unsure if he can shoulder starting role against Eskimos
Team Backgrounders
Edmonton Eskimos
British Columbia Lions
Post Game
CFL.ca-- Game Review
CFL.ca-- Video Review
National Post-- Lions clinch first place in West division in win over Eskimos
Edmonton Sun-- Edmonton Eskimos downed by depleted B. C. Lions
Edmonton Journal-- Eskimos' locker room silence is deafening, deflating
Vancouver Province-- Reilly gets job done
Vancouver Sun-- B. C. Lions roster depth apparent in clinching first place...
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