The Edmonton Elks can clinch the top spot in the West and a bye into the division final with a victory over the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday.
The Elks (12-4), who have defeated the Blue Bombers (8-8) on two occasions already this season, also can wrap up the West should the B.C. Lions (10-6) lose to the host Calgary Stampeders (8-9) on Saturday.
The result of that game also will be of utmost importance for Winnipeg as it battles with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-8) and Stampeders for third place in the West. The Blue Bombers will clinch a playoff berth with either a win on Friday or a loss by the Stampeders on Saturday.
While the Elks have a bit of breathing room, they aren’t taking Friday’s game lightly.
“We’re treating this like a playoff game,” Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo said. “That is exactly what we want, a playoff game here in front of our fans versus a team that’s fighting for the playoffs.
“I’ve been telling the guys this week, this is almost like two games because if we find a way to win this game we guarantee ourselves that bye, so essentially you’re winning the West semifinal.”
Defensive lineman Malik Carney recorded a career-high four sacks and forced a fumble in Edmonton’s 27-12 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last Friday.
He joined Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros in being named as the top players for Week 19 of the CFL season.
Collaros returned from sustaining a head injury during the Banjo Bowl on Sept. 12 and threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns in Winnipeg’s 33-28 win over Calgary last Saturday.
“That’s vintage 8-ball right there — you love to see it,” Nic Demski said of Collaros, who wears the No. 8 jersey. “The opportunity that we had, and him coming back (against the Stampeders), it was just a picture-perfect story, for sure.”
Winnipeg’s Brady Oliveira, who leads the CFL with 1,307 rushing yards, was limited to just 40 yards on eight carries last week.
–Field Level Media
