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Stuart is a writer and contributor to LWOS in the news and rumours department. Started in October of 2025. He is also a contributor to flameforthought.com as part of the FanSided network.

  • CFL Playoff Scenarios for Week 19

    The BC Lions have clinched a playoff berth after defeating the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, we also know that the Crossover Rule is in effect for the first time since 2019. Ottawa and Toronto were both eliminated last week in losses. Leaving the only battle in the East, who finishes first. In the West, it’s a whole other story.

    There are 4 games to be played in week 19. First off on Friday Night Football, the Toronto Argonauts head into Taylor Field at Mosaic Stadium to face the Roughriders. A double header on Saturday features the Stampeders in Hamilton, and the Blue Bombers making a trip to Edmonton. The last game of the week is the Thanksgiving Day game on Monday as the REDBLACKS head into Montreal. Here are the week 19 scenarios for every single team, starting with the West Division.

    Saskatchewan Roughriders

    Have clinched a playoff spot, and can win the division and host the West Final with:
    A win over Toronto

    BC Lions

    Have clinched a playoff spot. They are on a bye week so there are no potential clinching scenarios.

    Calgary Stampeders

    The Stampeders can clinch a playoff spot with:
    A win over Hamilton or
    A loss by Edmonton

    Winnipeg Blue Bombers

    The Bombers can also clinch a playoff spot with:
    A win over Edmonton

    Edmonton Elks

    The Elks will be eliminated with:
    A loss to Winnipeg

    Hamilton Tiger-Cats

    The Tiger-Cats can clinch the division and host the East Final with:
    A win over the Stampeders or,
    A loss by Montreal

    Montreal Alouettes

    Have clinched a playoff spot and will host a playoff game, however without the tiebreaker with Hamilton they have no scenarios.

    Toronto Argonauts

    Eliminated

    Ottawa REDBLACKS

    Eliminated

  • Blue Jays to face New York Yankees in ALDS

    The Toronto Blue Jays will face the New York Yankees. After winning the division and earning the bye directly to the Divisional Series, tied with a AL best 94 wins. The team tied with them, the New York Yankees. The Blue Jays won the season series 8-5, including a sweep at Rogers Center over the Canada Day long weekend.

    The Blue Jays got one of the worst draws in MLB history as they’ll have to face a division rival that equaled them in wins, while the second seed Seattle Mariners get the sixth place Detroit Tigers.

  • CFL awards predictions 2025

    Normally I would do this at the midseason mark, I did so on my podcast but just for the Stampeders. Now it’s for the entire CFL, the awards categories are as follows.

    Most Outstanding Player (MOP)

    Most Outstanding Defensive Player (MODP)

    Most Outstanding Canadian (MOC)

    Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman (MOOL)

    Most Outstanding Special Teams Player (MOST)

    Most Outstanding Rookie (MOR)

    And adding on this year, Coach of the Year.

    As with previous iterations of this, I will give finalists and reasons why, before revealing my award winners.

    MOP
    Eastern Division
    Bo Levi Mitchell – QB – Hamilton Tiger-Cats

    If you’ve been following the CFL this season, my goodness Bo Levi Mitchell continues to turn back time and show why he’s the most elite quarterback since Anthony Calvillo. Leading the league in touchdown passes (28) and yards (4406), while also leading the Tiger-Cats to (potentially) hosting the East Final. Not to mention only throwing 8 interceptions.

    Western Division
    James Butler – RB – BC Lions

    The Lions start to the season makes this choice one of the most unlikely, but the Lions surge of late puts their player back into the awards conversation. James Butler leads the league in rushing yards (1061) and touchdowns (10) with 3 games left to go in the season. With three 100 yard games James Butler just might be the reason the Lions clinch a home playoff game.

    MODP
    Eastern Division
    Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund – DL – Montreal Alouettes

    The Stampeders made a huge mistake letting this guy go, he has proven to be one of the most dominate linemen in recent memory and could surpass Stu Laird as the Canadian with most sacks in CFL history. Last season he was a finalist for the award and this season with his 11 sacks is on pace to be back in the award conversation.

    Western Division
    Micah Awe – LB – BC Lions

    It’s hard to argue with the league leader in tackles once again with 106. The next closest is 15 back from him. A dominate season once again for Awe.

    MOC
    Eastern Division
    Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund – DL – Montreal Alouettes

    His second nomination of the year and well deserved. I can’t even think of a better Canadian aside from Kevin Mital who is enjoying a fantastic breakout season himself. But Adeyemi-Berglund is having himself a year to remember.

    Western Division
    Nathan Rourke – QB – BC Lions

    This is the biggest no brainer, Nathan Rourke is showing recently to be the best quarterback in the CFL. If not for a little bit of a poor start by the Lions defense, Rourke would be in the running for MOP for me.

    MOOL
    Eastern Division
    Liam Dobson – OL – Hamilton Tiger-Cats

    Liam Dobson has played and started every game in front of Bo Levi Mitchell and as part of a unit allowing a division best 21 sacks. His consistent play and ability have been noticeable all season long.

    Western Division
    Christopher Fortin – OL – Calgary Stampeders

    A true rookie taking over the center position, and having one bad snap all season. That’s impressive to the point of even when Bryce Bell is healthy once again he may not be at center.

    MOST
    Eastern Division
    Isaiah Wooden – WR – Hamilton Tiger-Cats

    Isaiah Wooden has been a menace for cover teams, breaking 3 returns for touchdowns. With the highest punt return average (16.1), and second highest kickoff return average (27.6).

    Western Division
    Sean Whyte – K – BC Lions

    Sean Whyte has been almost perfect for the Lions off the tee with a 94.4% success rate for field goals.

    MOR
    Eastern Division
    Devin Veresuk – LB – Hamilton Tiger-Cats

    Veresuk was the second overall draft pick to Hamilton in the 2025 CFL draft and almost instantaneously became the starting MLB. Recording 57 tackles so far, one interception, a forced fumble, and two defensive touchdowns.

    Western Division
    Christopher Fortin – OL – Calgary Stampeders

    As mentioned before, stepping in to center straight out of the NCAA is not something you see every year. Fortin has the makings of being the anchor of the O-Line for a decade.

    COTY
    Eastern Division
    Scott Milanovich – Hamilton Tiger-Cats

    It’s hard to argue with the leader in the East. With a playoff berth secured and the divisional final almost clinched, I’d be surprised if it was anyone else.

    Western Division
    Corey Mace – Saskatchewan Roughriders

    By far the best team in the CFL this season, even with being swept by the Calgary Stampeders, the consistency of the Riders shows Mace was the right choice as head coach.

    Award Winners

    MOP
    Bo Levi Mitchell

    MODP
    Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund

    MOC
    Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund

    MOOL
    Liam Dobson

    MOST
    Sean Whyte

    MOR
    Devin Veresuk

    COTY
    Corey Mace

  • Stampeders feel good story, potential return of a star wideout

    The Stampeders could have a feel good moment on Saturday. This is because the team listed Malik Henry as a full participant in their first practice of week 18. Malik Henry has been out of the depth chart after back to back season ending leg injuries in 2023 and 2024. His last game was June 24th 2023. Over his Canadian Football League career he has 25 games played and a 1000 yard receiving season in 2022. If he’s able to return to the Stampeders lineup it would be his first game in 834 days.

  • Stampeders trade for Lorenzo Mauldin IV

    Stampeders acquire Lorenzo Mauldin IV from the Ottawa REDBLACKS in exchange for a fourth round pick in this years draft. In an attempt to fill the void of losing Folarin Orimolade, Mauldin has been an effective sack machine in the past. Tallying 17 sacks in 2022, this season he’s only racked up two so far.

    His first appearance with the Stampeders is likely to come on Saturday night against the BC Lions.

  • CFL Playoff Scenarios for week 18

    There are three games for week 18 and all of them have playoff implications. First is the CFL leading Saskatchewan Roughriders going in to TD Place at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa to face the old Rough Riders, I’m joking. REDBLACKS not Rough Riders. That game is the Friday Night Football on TSN. The next one is the Battle of the QEW as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats head to Toronto. The Argos are in must win territory, and need some help to stay in the playoff hunt. The last game of the week is the game of the week. The reeling Calgary Stampeders go to Vancouver to attempt to avenge the massive loss to the Lions two weeks ago. It also happens to be a battle for second place in the West, with the Lions attempting to gain the tiebreaker as well. For the Stampeders to gain the tiebreaker, they must win by 30.

    So here are the scenarios for all teams in week 18:

    Saskatchewan Roughriders

    Saskatchewan has clinched a playoff berth.
    Can secure home playoff game with a win over Ottawa

    Calgary Stampeders

    With Edmonton not playing this week, and the tiebreaker still up for grabs, the Stampeders cannot qualify for the playoffs in week 18.

    BC Lions

    Due to tiebreaker over Edmonton they can clinch a playoff spot with:
    A win over the Stampeders

    Winnipeg Blue Bombers

    Without tiebreaker over Edmonton, Winnipeg cannot qualify for the playoffs in week 18.

    Edmonton Elks

    Edmonton is on a bye-week. No scenarios are involved.

    Hamilton Tiger-Cats

    Hamilton has clinched a playoff berth. They will also host a playoff game. The division cannot be clinched this week as Montreal is on the bye.

    Montreal Alouettes

    Montreal can clinch a playoff berth and host a playoff game with:
    An Ottawa loss to Saskatchewan.

    Toronto Argonauts

    The Argonauts will be officially eliminated with:
    A loss to Hamilton

    Ottawa REDBLACKS

    Due to no tiebreaker with Montreal, Ottawa remains playoff eligible. The REDBLACKS will be officially eliminated with:
    A loss to the Roughriders

    If both the Argonauts and REDBLACKS both lose, the Crossover Rule is triggered.

  • CFL Playoff Scenarios: Week 17

    5 weeks to go in the CFL season and playoff scenarios are upon us. So skip the preamble and let’s get into it.

    Hamilton Tiger Cats

    Hamilton will clinch a playoff berth a couple of ways:
    A Win against Winnipeg or,
    A loss by Toronto

    Hamilton can also clinch the East and host the East Final with:
    A win against Winnipeg and a loss by Montreal against Calgary

    Calgary Stampeders

    Calgary can clinch a playoff berth with:
    A win over Montreal and if Toronto and Edmonton lose

    Montreal Alouettes

    Montreal can clinch with: (I made a mistake) Edited Sept. 26. Due to not having the tiebreaker with Ottawa, Montreal cannot clinch a playoff berth in week 17.

    After the win over the Stampeders they will clinch with a Ottawa loss in week 18.

    Crossover

    The crossover rule allows a fourth place team, provided they have a better record than the third place team in the other division, to be in the playoffs in the other division.
    4A- 8-10
    3B- 7-11
    In this scenario 4A would crossover to B.

    The crossover rule is in play and can be guaranteed as soon as week 18 if Toronto loses their next two games against B.C. and Hamilton, and B.C. and Winnipeg win one game each.

  • Canada’s Historic Victory Over New Zealand in Rugby World Cup

    Canada has beaten the two-time defending Rugby World Cup champions New Zealand Black Ferns to book their ticket to Twickenham. A resounding 34-19 victory, and just the second time Canada has beaten the Black Ferns. They will face either hosts England, or France in the RWC final. Canada dominated the first half jumping out to a 12-0 lead in the first 10 minutes, with tries from Pelletier and Hogan-Rochester. Canada went into half time with a dominate 24-7 lead.

    Canada opened the second half scoring as well 3 minutes in with another try, this time by Alex Tessier. New Zealand had a never say die attitude until the end. They just couldn’t get through the Canadian defensive line. However, they did manage to pick up 2 unanswered tries to make it 31-19 with 15 minutes to go.

    Sophie de Goode put the match out of reach. A penalty kick that put Canada ahead by 15 with 6 minutes left in the match, and get to the final score 34-19. It’s a result that Rugby Canada will forever remember as it was the first time they beat New Zealand at a World Cup event. It’s also the second time Canada has made a Rugby World Cup final, the first was a loss in the final to England in 2014.

    It also continues Canada’s undefeated streak to a 16th match.

    The Rugby World Cup final is on September 27th, at 11am ET, 9am MT. The match will be played at the famous, and sold out, Allianz Stadium Twickenham, in London and televised on TSN.

  • CFL Playoff Update

    The CFL playoffs are closing fast, and teams are starting to see the clinching scenario’s popping up around them. The Saskatchewan Roughriders are the first to clinch a playoff berth with a 10-3 record with the Edmonton Elks and Winnipeg Blue Bombers losing their matchups last week. The clinching scenario’s this week, none. No teams can clinch a playoff spot this week, but that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate. Let’s start with Calgary.

    Calgary Stampeders

    The Stampeders can go a long way with a win over the B.C. Lions on Friday Night Football, but still need some help to clinch a playoff spot. Both the Toronto Argonauts and the Edmonton Elks would need to lose their games this week. The Stampeders don’t hold the tiebreaker on the Lions or Elks yet, so they would be able to clinch a spot in week 17 at the earliest.

    Hamilton Tiger-Cats

    The next closest team to clinching up a playoff spot is the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The only team they have a tiebreaker over is the Montreal Alouettes. Now that would come into play for the division and hosting the East Finals, not for clinching a playoff berth at the moment. A win and an Argonauts loss would also put the Ti-Cats in position to clinch in week 17.

    At this moment before week 16 begins, no other team has the ability to clinch before week 18.

  • USports vs NCAA: Pathways for Canadian Football Players

    The biggest difference between the American and Canadian college levels of football is the number of schools. There is also a corresponding difference in the number of players. NCAA teams can carry up to 105 athletes, though most only take on an average of 85. So doing the math of 134 schools in the FBS there’s approximately 11,390 players in the NCAA every season. In Canadian University football there are 27 schools, 48 players per team. That’s 1,296 players, creating a potentially more balanced competition. For Canadians, receiving a full scholarship to a US school is very challenging. There is so much competition for those spots. Elite high school players should focus on playing the USports brand of football. This offers a higher likelihood of playing pro football in the CFL with the Canadian Ratio Rule.

    The Canadian Ratio Rule is designed to keep the Canadian Football League, well Canadian. It forces teams to have at least 21 National players, with 8 of them needing to be starters. The rule also means that if the starter is taken off the field for rest, another Canadian must step in. This replacement must be on the same side of the ball. That’s because before the game, the team must declare the number of offensive and defensive Canadian starters. The number for each is not allowed to change.

    The list of Usports athletes in the NFL is admittedly small, with 43 players all-time getting games in the NFL. However CFL players have made such a trip, including Canadian kicker Mike Vanderjagt, who is one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history. Canadian punter Jon Ryan, who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. Warren Moon, who’s the only player to be inducted into both the Canadian Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame’s. Joe Theismann, Jeff Garcia, Doug Flutie, Joe Horn, two time Super Bowl Champion Harald Hasselbach, who started his football journey in Delta B.C..

    The CFL route creates opportunity for Canadian players to make it in the NFL, but it’s also a league that loves their Canadians. Ask any CFL fan who their favourite player is and it’s likely a Canadian, for me right now my favourite player is Jalen Philpot of the Calgary Stampeders. He’s from Delta B.C., Canada. Who’s yours?