The CFL playoffs are heating up, and the Division Finals are here—where underdog stories collide with powerhouse teams, and one wrong move could shatter a season's worth of dreams. But here's where it gets controversial: our writers' picks are split, sparking debates on who truly has the edge. Dive in to see the matchups, stats, and why these games could go either way—it's the part most fans miss until the whistle blows!
Toronto buzzes with playoff fever now that the Division Semi-Finals are wrapped up, leaving just one thrilling round before the Grey Cup showdown. Pat Steinberg holds the top spot in our writer picks leaderboard, a commanding three games ahead of the chasing trio: Kristina Costabile, Jamie Nye, and Matt Cauz. For them to even tie, they'll need a perfect storm of upsets starting this weekend.
2025 Grey Cup Playoffs
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First up, the Eastern Final pits the Montreal Alouettes against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Kicking off Saturday, November 8, at 3:00 p.m. ET, tune in via TSN, TSN2 (featuring data-enhanced broadcasts for a deeper game experience at https://www.cfl.ca/2025/10/30/data-enhanced-grey-cup-playoff-games-coming-to-tsn2/), RDS, CTV, or CFL+. Montreal's offense roared to life in the Eastern Semi-Final against Winnipeg, thanks to the steady leadership of quarterback Davis Alexander (check out his profile at https://www.cfl.ca/players/davis-alexander/165844/). Under coach Jason Maas, the Als showcased a well-rounded attack, relying on running back Stevie Scott III—who racked up 136 yards on 18 carries and scored twice—and Alexander's flawless passing (384 yards, a 70.6% completion rate, two touchdown throws, and just one interception). Now, they travel to Hamilton to face a defense notorious for snatching turnovers and turning them into points. The Ticats lead the league with 134 points off turnovers and a +10 turnover ratio. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (profile at https://www.cfl.ca/players/bo-levi-mitchell/158222/) and his squad enjoyed a bye week to recharge, honing their offense's dynamic duo: receivers Kenny Lawler (https://www.cfl.ca/players/kenny-lawler/163693/), Kiondré Smith, and Tim White (https://www.cfl.ca/players/tim-white/165279/), plus running back Greg Bell (https://www.cfl.ca/players/greg-bell/168427/). This setup aims to propel them to the 112th Grey Cup. Interestingly, our writers are nearly divided on the outcome—could this be the upset everyone whispers about?
WRITERS’ PICK: 60% Montreal
Shifting to the West, the BC Lions face off against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. This one starts Saturday, November 8, at 6:30 p.m. ET, with broadcasts on TSN, RDS, and CFL+. The Lions squeaked by Calgary in a nail-biter, clinching victory on a last-second field goal that everyone will remember—a "walk-off" kick, for those new to the term, means the game ends right after the successful boot, no time left on the clock. Quarterback Nathan Rourke powered their balanced offense with two rushing touchdowns (none via the air), while special teams shone: Robert Carter Jr. dashed for a kickoff return score, and kicker Sean Whyte (profile at https://www.cfl.ca/players/sean-whyte/136193/) nailed all four field goals, including that dramatic winner. Now, they venture to Mosaic Stadium to challenge the rested Roughriders. Saskatchewan boasts the CFL's stingiest run defense, allowing just 76.0 yards per game, and keeps scores low at 22.7 points per contest. For beginners, this kind of defense forces opponents to pass more, creating opportunities for big plays or mistakes. Nearly all our pickers favor the home team advancing to the Grey Cup— but is home-field advantage overrated, or does it really tip the scales?
WRITERS’ PICK: 80% Saskatchewan
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These matchups promise edge-of-your-seat drama, but what sparks the most debate? Is Montreal's offensive firepower enough to overcome Hamilton's turnover machine, or will the Ticats' experience prevail? And in the West, can BC's momentum from that thrilling semi-final victory crack Saskatchewan's rock-solid defense, or is the home crowd—and that run-stopping unit—too much to handle? Share your thoughts: Who do you predict will hoist the Grey Cup? Do you agree with our writers, or think there's a major upset brewing? Drop your opinions in the comments below—we'd love to hear why!
