CFL Playoffs, Finals Round Picks

Montréal Alouettes/Toronto Argonauts: the Argos had another impressive year and they actually deserve some credit. They irritatingly beat the Lions and Ti-Cats (three times) which may have been distressing but was still simultaneously praiseworthy. Against the Als they came out on top picking up two hard fought wins out of three, but every game they played was close, like two evenly matched teams facing off judiciously. The Alouettes struggled during the year but still finished strong with a 500 record, and overwhelmed the Ti-Cats last weekend with stalwart defence and offensive reckoning. Trevor Harris has played some big postseason games and may be tough to beat this Sunday. He's got something to prove as well after having travelled around a bit in recent memory. I have to admit, in terms of the names of quarterbacks, while John Elway remains the gold standard, McLeod Bethel-Thompson is perhaps a close second, it's an incredible football name. Perhaps I've watched Highlander too many times but what a name, it encourages legend. And he's still trying to overcome Ricky Ray's shadow. But honestly, who I am kidding? I'm picking the resurgent Alouettes who seem destined for another big playoff win! They haven't met in the playoffs since Toronto beat the Alouettes in Montréal in 2012. Isn't it time Montréal repaid the favour!  

BC Lions/Winnipeg Blue Bombers: BC resounded triumphantly over the Stampeders at home last Sunday, putting up some laudable numbers as they cruised to postseason success. The Blue Bombers have demonstrated as of late that they're incredibly difficult to beat; however, every postseason brings on new challenges, and it wasn't long ago that no one thought they'd win. They're the first team to pick up back to back Grey Cup victories since the Alouettes did so in 2009 and 2010, but you'd have to go back to 1978 through 1981 to find the last team that won three in a row (eventually 4 [Edmonton]). It is rather boring if the same team keeps winning the Grey Cup (unless they're your favourite team) but if they are the best team year after year they deserve it, Winnipeg did defeat the Lions twice this year although BC also shouted out victorious.  BC's last playoff win was versus the Bombers, nevertheless, in fact two of their last three playoff wins come versus Winnipeg, that stat could be spiritually factored in frigid mid-November. Mike O'Shea's a pretty solid coach but is there something he's overlooked? Like the unpredictable formidability of Canadian QB Nathan Rourke!? Making his first determined playoff run! Picking the Lions! Go Lions Go!