All signs point towards regular-season photo finish in the CFL

If you thought the CFL season was winding down — think again.

With only four weeks remaining in the regular season, this final month is setting up to be a photo finish. The entire playoff landscape has flipped with top spot in both divisions still up for grabs.

Only a month ago, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats were running away with the West and East Division, respectively. Fast-forward to today and — while both the Riders and Ticats are technically still in first — they are on incredibly shaky footing.

Let’s start with the West, in what is a complete and beautiful mess.

The Riders (10-4) appear to have hit a wall, dropping two in a row, and are now staring at three teams close behind them. Despite being in second place, I’m worried most about the Calgary Stampeders (8-6), who have lost three straight and are playing like the fourth-best team in the division right now.

I still think the Riders will hold onto the top spot, given their level of talent in all three phases. But the Stamps are absolutely fighting it, plagued by an inconsistent offence and a banged-up defence.

Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-7) and B.C. Lions (8-7) are riding hot, putting together multi-game win streaks that have them tied for third. Below them, the Edmonton Elks (6-9) barely have a pulse and can be eliminated as early as this week.

With the Bombers and Lions playing much better football, I could see a scenario where Calgary drops to third — or even fourth — resulting in the crossover route to the East playoffs. Someone is going that way; it’s just a matter of who.

As for the East, it’s a two-team sprint.

The Ticats (9-6) lead the way but just suffered a 40-3 beating against the Bombers that’s made them look incredibly vulnerable. They are only two points ahead of the surging Montreal Alouettes (8-7), who have now won three straight games to give themselves a chance to snag first.

With quarterback Davis Alexander back, the Alouettes are peaking at the perfect time and I wouldn’t be surprised if they leapfrogged Hamilton. For the Toronto Argonauts (5-10) and Ottawa Redblacks (4-10), the conversation has officially moved to next year.

For the last couple of seasons, at least one division had been decided by this point. This year, with both divisions still completely in play, the stakes are as high as they get. It’s not officially playoff time yet, but the intensity we’re about to see will certainly feel like it.

Now, let’s dive into what else caught my attention this week in the latest CFL Rundown.

1) Alexander looked no worse for wear in his return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for eight weeks, delivering a convincing win over Calgary.

While Alexander looked a bit rusty early, overshooting a couple of receivers, he settled in nicely, cementing the Alouettes as a legitimate threat.

The victory improved Alexander’s career mark to 9-0, setting a new CFL record.

The Alouettes were already trending upwards, but with Alexander back behind centre, they look as dangerous as anyone heading into the final sprint.

 

2) The elephant in the room for the Stampeders is the play of quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who, while not horrible, hasn’t resembled his confident, play-making self.

Outside the comfortable confines of the domed BC Place, Adams has struggled as a late-season performer and you wonder how he will fare as the weather continues to dip.

It hasn’t helped that the entire team is reeling, especially a banged-up defence that is struggling to force turnovers.

Adams needs to be the leader on and off the field, but if the defence can’t protect him with short fields, the Stamps risk losing their grip on second place entirely.

 

3) The Stampeders pulled off a rare late-season trade this week, acquiring defensive lineman Lorenzo Mauldin IV, the 2022 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player, from the Ottawa Redblacks for a 2026 fourth-round draft pick.

This was a smart move. Mauldin is a strong replacement for the injured Folarin Orimolade, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.

With their defence hurting and the team on a three-game skid, Calgary needed an immediate spark.

Trading a mid-round pick for a proven pass-rusher should do the trick.

 

4) While the Mauldin trade was a vote of confidence for the Stampeders, the opposite is true for the Redblacks.

This immediately sparked speculation that more core players might be moved, with the Riders reportedly keen on kicker Lewis Ward and the Bombers and Stamps a good fit for quarterback Dustin Crum.

I’m not surprised both Ward and Crum stayed put; they are highly respected pieces in Ottawa and both are likely wanted back in the nation’s capital in 2026.

 

5) The Bombers beat down of the Ticats was, by far, their best performance of the season.

It was so dominant that the narrative has shifted, with many now viewing Winnipeg as a serious Grey Cup contender.

But I caution against the premature hype.

This team has been too inconsistent all year to confidently call this a major turning point.

That said, the timing to get hot couldn’t be much better and quarterback Zach Collaros looked incredible in his return from a head injury.

If anyone knows the importance of finding your game at this time of year, it’s the Bombers.

 

6) As for Hamilton, the blowout loss instantly makes them look beatable and vulnerable to falling out of top spot in the East. When the connection between quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and Kenny Lawler goes cold — as it did against Winnipeg’s secondary — the entire Ticats offence becomes ugly.

Time for the Ticats to start showing their teeth again.

 

7) The Elks’ 27-25 victory over the Roughriders was an emotional high point for Edmonton.

The wild 32-point fourth quarter was completely insane, especially considering only 20 points were scored through the first three frames.

This nail-biting win carried extra significance as a tribute to Elks owner Larry Thompson, who sadly passed away earlier that week.

While the playoffs may be a long shot, the team showed true heart and hope in this game. Hopefully they can continue to build on the foundation Thompson started.

 

8) Finally, I continue to get your feedback on the new CFL rules beginning next season.

Plenty are still upset and have asked me where they can voice their displeasure.

I’ve been told fans can fill out a form under the “contact us” section of the CFL’s website to voice their issues and concerns.

 

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca