Eastern Final, November 20, 2011 Vegas Odds and Comments

[notahomer]

Nice 3-7 finish to the season Staggerville. Odell Willis needs to be put on a milk carton for his disappearing act. At least the Bombers prove games in July and August are just as important as October and November.

I haven't heard jack about 'swaggerville' for weeks. Staggerville it is........

[David]

I can think of at least 3 reasons to take the ball at the 35.

I can also think of one good reason to eff it all up. How else to you guarantee first pick in next year's draft, which will be a Regina boy who is an O Lineman at U of SK (Ben Heenan)?


DH

[WestCoastJoe]

Vegas has Mon over Win by 5.5

Take Mon

Edm over Cal by 2.5

Take Cal

[notahomer]

I'm going with the Al's and Esks.....

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Beam ... story.html

CFL playoff picks: Alouettes, Stampeders will rule

By Mike Beamish, Vancouver Sun November 10, 2011

• East Division semifinal

Hamilton at Montreal, 10 a.m., TSN

Can the Alouettes — 5-6 in their past 11 games — quickly get past the humiliation of a 43-1 loss to the Lions, six days ago? Yes, says Lions coach Wally Buono.

"This is how easy it is. They went back to work Tuesday [practice], and if they win Sunday, they're one victory away from the Grey Cup game. That's how quickly it can turn around," Buono said.

He feels that the home-field advantage, and the increased decibel level inside Olympic Stadium, will only lengthen the odds of the Tiger-Cats engineering an upset.

Still, while Buono concedes that the West semifinal is “unpredictable,” he maintains the East sudden-death, knockout round is even more so.

"If you take Hamilton, and look at their best performances in 2011, they scare you. They're very unpredictable. And, unfortunately for them, the Alouettes have gone through a lot of injuries. They've lost quality veteran players," Buono said.

Perhaps the Alouettes' key subtraction is left tackle Josh Bourke (torn pectoral muscle) who is gone for the season. Without his bodyguard, QB Anthony Calvillo had a deer-in-the-headlights look against the Lions.

"The biggest winner in all of this is Winnipeg," Buono said. "If they're able to get Buck [quarterback Pierce, who has a knee injury] back, psychologically that's going to give them a lift. Whether you like Buck as a quarterback or not, I think they're a different team when he's playing."

The Blue Bombers will have a sold-out stadium for the East Division final, Nov. 20 at Canad Inns Stadium.

Pick: Alouettes.

• West Division semifinal

Calgary at Edmonton, 1:30 p.m., TSN

The Stampeders are staring history in the face — only five times in CFL annals has a third-place team gone on to win the Grey Cup.

The Lions have done it twice (1994, 2000), both at the expense of Wally Buono-coached teams. The Stamps, six-time champions, have never gone from third place to a Grey Cup title.

Still, of the two possible opponents, Calgary probably is the team the Lions least want to meet in the West Division final Nov. 20 at B.C. Place.

Quarterback Drew Tate is a wild card, and the Stampeders have last year's most outstanding player, veteran Henry Burris, on the bench and poised for redemption.

"They're both very similar teams — right?" said Buono. "They've both played a lot of good football, and they have weapons. And then you have Henry Burris …”

The Stampeders also have head coach John Hufnagel, offensive coordinator Dave Dickenson and D-coordinator Chris Jones, among the best at their craft in the CFL. Lots of active brain cells there.

While the Esks will rely on running back Jerome Messam pounding the ball, Edmonton must be wary of the Stampeders more multi-talented Jon Cornish, who rushed for 611 yards in his final seven games and finished the regular season with a better rushing average (7.3) than Messam (5.4).

Buono is discounting the Esks' lacklustre 23-20 win over hopeless Saskatchewan in Game No. 18 as "just one of those times when the adrenalin doesn't flow as it should." That's not an issue when the Stampeders are involved.

Pick: Stampeders.

Last week: 4-0.

[TheLionKing]

Montreal

Edmonton

[Rammer]

Montreal

Edmonton

Montreal, but I like Calgary's chances given Messam being out.

[B.C.FAN]

Hamilton - Hot and cold team due for an explosive game ater a couple of bad ones
Calgary - Held Messam to an average of 33 yards in three games. He's a non-factor even when he plays the Stamps.

[David]

Hamilton - don't let the end of season losses fool you. They rested a lot of players down the stretch and perhaps lost some focus knowing they were going to finish 3rd. Don't do well in Montreal, but expect to see an effort like they put forth against BC. Montreal is hurting (both physically and psychologically).

Calgary - a better rounded team than Edmonton. Have won 3 in a row. Expect to see that continue and become our WDF opponent next week at BC Place.


DH

[Belize City Lion]

No Lions game to look forward to this weekend :( Finishing first sucks!


(kidding!)

Montreal & Calgary.

[joe kapp22]

Hamilton in the upset, and Calgary.

[Bosco]

Hamilton in the upset, and Calgary.

Ditto

The Als are just too banged up on D and the O line is much weaker with the loss of OT Josh Bourque.

Drew Tate and Jon Cornish seem to be carrying the Stamps and they will down the Eskies.

[Roaring Fan Since 82!!]

I think Hamilton is due for a breakthrough.

Seeing Montreal finish second, and knowing a trip to the GC via the East Division final will run through Winnipeg and not Montreal is a motivator. Even though they're in Montreal for the semi-final, (does that make sense?) and knowing Montreal is banged up, I think the Als are primed to be upset. I know AC will go down swinging though.

Battle of Alberta is gonna be a dandy. I think literally which way the wind blows will dictate who wins, and the teams match up well on paper. Whoever can play their game, and overcome the elements will be making the trip to Vancouver. I have a feeling Calgary will be that team, but Esks always play well at home...i'll say Stamps.

[Anglophone]

Calgary and Hamilton.

Both road wins.

Hamilton limping in has been far less pathetic than Montreal's performance. I can see Hamilton sensing weakness and descending upon Calvillo. When he's under pressure, he's only human.

And... Drew Tate.