The BC Lions are aiming to clinch a playoff spot Friday while the Ottawa Redblacks just want to win for the first time in more than 13 months.
The situation is much more fun for host BC (9-6), which would wrap up its fifth straight postseason spot with a win over the Redblacks.
The Lions are two games behind the first-place Edmonton Elks in the West Division and can also keep their division title hopes alive. BC has been sizzling with eight victories in its last nine games.
One thing is for sure: BC isn’t planning on overlooking Ottawa (0-15).
“They’re all important games,” said Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, who has passed for 4,105 yards and 20 touchdowns this season. “We’ve got to play our best to win them. We’d love to be able to give ourselves a chance to feel good going into the playoffs, no matter whether we’re first or second or however it shakes out.”
The Redblacks have lost a CFL-record 21 straight games since beating the Lions 34-33 on Sept. 5, 2025.
They are three losses away from becoming the first team in CFL history to go winless in a season. Last week’s 34-16 home loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats gave Ottawa the dubious distinction of owning the worst start to a CFL season.
Coach Ryan Dinwiddie apologized after the latest loss at a time in which Redblacks fans have expressed displeasure over the poor campaign.
“I think our fans have been great,” Dinwiddie said. “I know they probably want me out the door, and I don’t blame them. We haven’t won a game, and I apologize to those guys. I haven’t done a good enough job.”
McLeod Bethel-Thompson will make his fourth start of the season for Ottawa. He has passed for 1,300 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions.
After the contest against BC, the Redblacks finish the season by hosting the Toronto Argonauts and visiting the Tiger-Cats.
Back on Aug. 30, Ottawa fell 45-24 at home to BC. Zander Horvath rushed for 164 yards and four touchdowns for the Lions, while Rourke completed 22 of 25 passes for 355 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Horvath leads the CFL with 16 rushing scores.
–Field Level Media
