CFL Beat: Playoffs – Division Finals

We’re down to the final three games of the 2024 CFL season – I certainly hope we have some entertainment left here. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate turning 32 this weekend – hope you join me in double-screening your football between JV and CFL action on Saturday!

In league news this week:

  • The league announced its 2024 Awards nominees late last week:
    • Most Outstanding Player: RB Brady Oliveira, WPG; QB Bo Levi Mitchell, HAM
    • Most Outstanding Defensive Player: DB Rolan Milligan, Jr., SSK; LB Tyrice Beverette, MTL
    • Most Outstanding Canadian: RB Brady Oliveira, WPG; DL Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, MTL
    • Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Logan Ferland, SSK; Ryan Hunter, TOR
    • Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: K Sean Whyte, BC; KR Janarion Grant, TOR
    • Most Outstanding Rookie: LB Nick Anderson, EDM; WR Shemar Bridges, HAM
    • Coach Of The Year: Corey Mace, SSK; Jason Maas, MTL
  • The Edmonton Elks named former O-lineman Chris Morris as their new team president late last week; after a lot of uncertainty surrounding the team between Victor Cui’s departure from the job last year and the team’s subsequent transition to private ownership and sale to Larry Thompson, there’s now a chance to start rebuilding the football ops staff and try to regroup for the year ahead. The first job will be to try and get a new GM in place following the mid-season firing of dual GM/HC Chris Jones; Morris will have to act quickly to be set for the rush of expiring contracts in December ahead of the opening of free agency in early February.

Onto the games!

DIVISION SEMIFINAL RECAPS

EAST DIVISION SEMIFINAL

(3) Ottawa 38 vs. (2) Toronto 58: The REDBLACKS looked like the team they were in the second of the regular season, particularly in the second half, as the defence absolutely imploded and couldn’t do their part to assist the offence. Dru Brown, who completed 46 passes for 476 yards and three TDs, had absolutely zero run game going on, and was forced to throw 61 times in this game; with the REDBLACKS down in the second half, he had no choice but to keep chucking, and threw two pick-sixes that iced the game. Credit to the Argos for another complete three-phase game; in addition to the D attacking effectively, Sex Pest Chad Kelly and the offence were razor-sharp – especially in the second half as they blew things wide open. This was a disappointing loss for Ottawa – despite being back in the playoffs for the first time since 2018, the team looked much as they did through the second half of the regular season. They dominated the time of possession in the first half, holding onto the ball for 24 minutes, but Toronto but up 20 points in those six minutes. Both head coach Bob Dyce and GM Shaun Burke will be back next year for the REDBLACKS as they’re under contract through the end of 2025 – and while I think there’s definitely some talent on the roster, I think there are some serious questions about coaching and tactics that need to be very heavily reviewed in the meantime.

PICK: Toronto

RESULT: Toronto

WEST DIVISION SEMIFINAL

(3) BC 19 vs. (2) Saskatchewan 28: The BC Lions will not have the chance to play for the Grey Cup on home turf this year after a weak outing by Vernon Adams, Jr. spelled defeat. The Lions QB threw three interceptions while the defence just couldn’t stop the bleeding all game long. Riders QB Trevor Harris completed almost 80% of his passes on the night, even as the wind played havoc on both teams’ possessions all evening. It was RB AJ Ouellette who got the home crowd their money’s worth on their tickets, rumbling for 70 yards and two TDs on 14 carries; DPOY nominee Rolan Milligan, Jr., the CFL leader in interceptions, iced things for good late in the fourth quarter by picking off Adams in the end zone as time was close to running out. While it was not the offensive showdown that the East semifinal was, the Roughriders crowd has to feel really good about the strides this team has made compared to last year, no matter what the outcomes of next week’s game entail.

PICK: Saskatchewan

RESULT: Saskatchewan

BYE: (1) Montreal (12-5-1), (1) Winnipeg (11-7)

DIVISION FINAL PREVIEWS

EAST DIVISION FINAL

(2) Toronto (11-8) vs. (1) Montreal (12-5-1), Saturday, November 9th, 3:00 PM EST (CTV, TSN, CFL+): The Alouettes, despite winning the East early and electing to rest some key players down the stretch, don’t, to me, feel like the hottest team in the East right now. With the way that the Argos have turned it on since Sex Pest Chad Kelly’s return for the second half of the year, it feels like they have a really strong chance to play spoiler for this one. The Argos have a good run game; if the Alouettes have weaknesses, outside of numerous various injuries on the roster, it’s their ability to stop the run. I like the potential for Toronto to go and challenge them at the line of scrimmage early to try and open things up for later on in this matchup. Just as well that Montreal’s had the chance to rest over the last while – despite being the home crowd, I think they’ll need all the help they can get for this one.

PICK: Toronto

WEST DIVISION FINAL

(2) Saskatchewan (10-8-1) vs. (1) Winnipeg (11-7), Saturday, November 9th, 6:30 PM EST (TSN, CFL+): It’s the two biggest, most bitter rivals in the entire CFL, facing off for a West Division championship and a trip to the Grey Cup. In 2021, the Bombers hosted the Riders and won a tight-fought game. In Saskatchewan’s first postseason trip in three years since that fateful game, it’s only fitting that they find themselves back in the same position once more. While Winnipeg has the league’s best defence, is rested, and ready for just about anything, I will say that the ability of Saskatchewan to elevate their game over these last few weeks of the season has been a remarkable change when comparing to how this team looked when Craig Dickenson was head coach last year. In particular their running game has significantly improved; while Winnipeg is strong pretty well everywhere on the defensive side of the ball, it’s nice to see that the Riders have an option to keep swapping backs to even out carries and keep guys fresher for longer. That play in the trenches might be what wears down the Bombers. Still, winning in Manitoba is a Herculean task for any road team as of recent.

PICK: Winnipeg

Enjoy the games, everyone.

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The Maestro
The Maestro is a mystical Canadian internet user and New England Patriots fan; when the weather is cooperative and the TV signal at his igloo is strong enough, he enjoys watching the NFL, the Ottawa Senators & REDBLACKS, and yelling into the abyss on Twitter. He is somehow allowed to teach music to high school students when he isn't in a blind rage about sports, and is also a known connoisseur of cheap beers across the Great White North.
https://www.doorfliesopen.com/index.php/author/the-maestro/
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Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I’m kind of upset that my Google search of “How to increase my midichlorian count” doesn’t produce much useful information, because I’d really like to boost my numbers before RFK Jr. institutes mandatory testing.

Doktor Zymm

Why am I getting even more junk texts now than before the election??

Unsurprised

God hates us

Gumbygirl

No, turns out he doesn’t. At least that’s what my 90 year old nun Aunt told me this morning. She’s a nice old lady, so I just agreed with her instead of telling her how I really feel. You’ll be happy to know the Sisters of Charity are on the case, praying for Gumby’s soul. Couldn’t hurt!

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

[hugs]

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I’m always kind of surprised to hear about those because mine automatically go to a spam folder; I assumed that was the case for everybody.

Doktor Zymm

Mine do as well, but I keep an eye on them

BugEyedBoo

I bought a new phone last Saturday, and I haven’t rebuilt my spam filters yet. Smart move right before the election!

Redshirt

*Afternoon

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WCS

Tis my utmost regret I have but one +1 to give.

BeefReeferLives

Yup. I’m with “Team Redshirt” tonight.

Redshirt

One, thanks for the support.

Two, in the entire history of DFO, including the pre-Crisis KSK years has joining Team Redshirt ever worked out?! Hell, even Team Rocket got a win against us!

BeefReeferLives
Gumbygirl

I’m only in it for the Burrow/Gesicki fantasy points, but go Bengals this weekend!

Unsurprised
Gatoraids

Thats gotta be Jared Lorenzen

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Redshirt

Runner Up: Jared Lorenzen’s Jersey’s Seams

BeefReeferLives

“The Pillsbury Throw Boy!!”

Game Time Decision

Still in better shape than most of DFO

BugEyedBoo

Round is a shape.

Brick Meathook

Mandatory Butterbean photo:

https://ibb.co/mbvs0Tj

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

My dipshit father-in-law (what’s the opposite of “RIP”?) told United he had divorced my mother-in-law during the last few weeks of his life (he was lying) she lost her spousal flight privileges. What a mean-spirited, spiteful piece of shit he was, even in death.

Unsurprised

Same letters. “Rest in Piss” or “Rot in Perdition” if you want to get all fancy and shit.

WCS

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Redshirt

BIH: Burn in Hell

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Thanks. Yeah, that fits.

Senor Weaselo

What even is the fucking point of doing that?

Unsurprised

Spite

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Exactly. Just pure unadulterated spite. He also took her off his health insurance.

Doktor Zymm

Wow, what an unmitigated asshole move

Unsurprised

Some people suck and are only valuable as fuel.

Redshirt

I think this is the part where you, her or someone pisses on his grave.

Horatio Cornblower

Anyone else having an issue with Slack? I have not been able to get on for quite a while. Today they’re saying they sent a code to my email address, but no code appears.

Game Time Decision

it’s a PEBCAK error
/no
//Problem Exists Between Chair And Keyboard

Horatio Cornblower

I don’t see what my desk has to do with this, Sir.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

He’s talking about your belly button actually. Clean the lint out and retry.

BugEyedBoo

ID10T error.

Horatio Cornblower

I’m reading a book

comment image

‘Founding Partisans’ by HW Brands, about the changeover from the Articles of Confederation to the US Constitution and in it he writes that James Madison didn’t want a small republic, like they’d have with the original 13 states, but favored a larger one because “[d]emagogues might sway a small number of people, but they would never delude a large number, especially when spread over an extensive geography” and holy fuck did James Madison get that one wrong.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I’m reading The James Ellroy book “The Big Nowhere” which details a series of gruesome murders in Los Angeles which I assume is some kind of metaphor about the future of the United States as a Republic.

Horatio Cornblower

I finished ‘The Black Dahlia’ and took a break from Ellroy, but ‘The Big Nowhere’ is up next for him.

I also have Cormac McCarthy’s ‘Blood Meridian’ in the to-be-read pile, which I’m sure will be a real pick-me-up.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Yeah, a nice break after The Black Dahlia is exactly what I did. Stranger Times and then some nice science fiction short stories (two of which had to do with the repeal of Roe v. Wade, hooray!).

WCS

To be fair, the interwebz didn’t exist in Madison’s time.

Senor Weaselo

This is Federalist Madison, not Democratic-Republican because Hamilton fucked everything up (literally and metaphorically) Madison.

Horatio Cornblower

Yes, Federalist #10 if we really want to nerd out here.

2Pack

Apparently Arizona and Nevada use aged prospectors on burros to collect votes.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Still that’s awesome that Mike Shanahan is still working at his age.

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Horatio Cornblower

I see he matched his jacket to his skin.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

[whistles appreciatively] – guy working the paint counter at Home Depot

Unsurprised

Prospectin’ draculers

blaxabbath

Je suis désolé monsieur. C’est ça le football et l’avantage qu’a Montréal en raison du repos tardif de son équipe est réel. Cela se joue chaque saison dans la NFL. Certaines équipes Wild Card s’échauffent, éliminent un champion de division faible au premier tour – puis affrontent les Chiefs avec 2,5 semaines de repos et gagnent 75 verges au total.

ballsofsteelandfury

All y’all really need to win the Picks Pool. I just received my prize from the generous Mr. Maestro and WOW!

Thank you!

Sharkbait

Is it a Big Turk?

WCS

“Gently used” Big Turk is just what was fished out of the toilet.

2Pack

Lets go Montreal.

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