Naturally the BC Lions decided not to decline their playoff spot, but a post-season berth seems devalued when a team can qualify despite playing four games below .500.
The 7-11 Lions are tied for having the worst record of any CFL playoff team in the last 15 years.
The 2012 Edmonton Eskimos also advanced three years ago with a 7-11 mark.
BC should go into its Western semi-final Sunday in Calgary with no pressure and a nothing to lose attitude.
The Lions have one of the youngest teams in the League led by 23-year-old rookie quarterback Jonathan Jennings who has adapted well to the CFL game.
The B.C. defence was shoddy in the first half but as a group progressed throughout the season.
As defending Grey Cup champions with plenty of experience, including all-star QB Bo-Levi Mitchell, the 14-4 Stamps are expected to win handily and the odds-makers agree making Calgary a 9 ½ point favorite according to oddsshark.com.
The two teams only met twice in the regular season, including last Saturday which was a 28-7 Calgary victory, although nothing was on the line and both teams rested key players.
In week 13, the Stampeders won a competitive game against the Lions 35-23.
Surprisingly, the Lions had as many West Division all-stars as the Stampeders with 8, which was one more than the first place Edmonton Eskimos.
While BC is in the playoffs, there lackluster play took its toll at the gate.
The Lions averaged just 21,290 fans (over nine home games in Vancouver), down nearly 7,000 from the previous year (of 28,011 in 2014).
To rejuvenate interest in the province, the Lions can start with a shocking win in Calgary.
Of course that is wishful thinking but sometimes these so-called easy games to forecast turn out to be the best ones that are not determined until the final minute.
The Pick: Calgary to win by 4.
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Most of the NFL teams are at the midway point of their season.
22 of the 32 have completed eight games while the other 10 are at nine.
Here’s some facts and figures to ponder.
–Never this late into a season has three teams (New England, Cincinnati and Carolina) been 8-0.
–On the other hand, just 12 of the 32 teams have a winning record.
–There is no clear cut best division but arguably the AFC East gets the nod with three teams having a winning record and overall the AFC East is eight games above .500.
–The NFC South is also eight games above .500 as a group. It was just last year that nobody in the NFC South had a winning record.
–The AFC South easily claims the title for being the worst division (11 games total below .500). Indy is 4-5 with -27 net points followed by Houston at 3-5 and -31, Jacksonville at 2-6 and -65 and Tennessee 2-6 and -28.
–Seven teams are 2-6 or worse. Never has a team with that record made the playoffs. If there is one 2-6 team still with a chance it is Dallas since they are just 2 ½ games back of the NFC East leading (5-4) NY Giants and Tony Romo is due back in Week 11. The Cowboys remaining schedule is as follows: at Tampa, at Miami, host Carolina, at Washington, at Green Bay, host the NY Jets, at Buffalo and host Washington.
–Already three of six AFC playoff spots are a lock with the Patriots, Bengals and Broncos dominating their division. Somebody has to win the AFC South and that will likely be the Luckless Colts. The top contenders for the two wild cards are (5-3) Pittsburgh, (5-4) Buffalo, (5-4) New York Jets and yes, even (4-4) Oakland.
–In the NFC: Carolina, (6-2) Arizona and (6-2) Green Bay appear to be sure bets to get in. Minnesota at 6-2 is in a good position to land a spot and Atlanta is 6-3. NFC East winner also gets in. That’s six teamsbut I would still suggest 4-4 Seattle will find a way for at least a wild card. So who would the Seahawks bump? Best guess would be the Falcons or Vikings. By the way, Atlanta will host Minnesota in week 12.
–It’s a credit to the Denver defence that the Broncos are 7-1. Peyton Manning has thrown the most interceptions (13) while tossing just nine touchdown passes. Manning’s QB rating of 75.6 is the worst of all starters except Andrew Luck (74.9). Who could have possibly made that prediction just a couple of months ago?
–Tom Brady is the hands down first half MVP (22 TD passes, 2 interceptions & league high 113.5 quarterback rating) but Cam Newton would arguably be second on the list. Newton’s numbers are actually not outstanding (14 TD’s, 9 picks, 81.4 RTG) but his running ability and dominant 4th quarter play are a huge part why his Panthers have not lost.
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When the P.G. Cougars acquired 18 year-old goalie Nick McBride from the Prince Albert Raiders last week for a 2nd round Bantam pick in 2017, Mack Shields understood his time was limited in Prince George.
Shields was given one final start with the Cougars last Saturday in Kamloops, a 5-2 loss to the Blazers.
The Cougars were successful in finding a new home for the 20-year-old Shields who was dealt to the Medicine Hat Tigers for a token 7th round Bantam Draft pick in 2017.
The Tigers were in need of a goalie following an injury to 20-year-old net-minder Austin Lotz.
With Shields out of the picture, an overage spot has been freed up for the Cougars, who are searching for an elite 20-year defenceman or forward.
Ty Edmonds earned the status as the team’s number one goalie; in fact he leads the entire WHL in save percentage with a .937 mark.
McBride has arrived as the back-up and now Shields gets one final opportunity joining the Tigers, his 3rd WHL team this year.
From the Quote Rack:
The Raiders and Chargers have reached an agreement to have Disney CEO Bob Iger lead the proposed Los Angeles stadium project for both teams. So if your NFL team can’t make it to Disneyland, bring Disneyland to your team.
A referee halted the game between Toledo and Central Michigan to tell the band and the cheerleaders to be quiet. What’s his next trick, parting the Red Sea?
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Bob Gibson turned 80 on Monday. Wonder if he celebrated by brushing his grandchildren off the cake plate.
Ben Zobrist just named his new baby girl “Blaise Royal.” Hmm, probably a good idea Zobrist didn’t get traded to the Mets, Dodgers or Giants.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
What’s the difference between RG 3 and Johnny Football? At least Johnny is getting some part time work.
The US Soccer Association has banned “Headers” for kids under the age of 11. From this day forward, all their corner kicks will be “Worm Burners”.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/
Ex-Louisville assistant basketball coach, Andre McGee, allegedly paid for stripper/sex parties for freshmen and recruits. Shocking! He didn’t wait until they were sophomores?
The New Zealand All Blacks won rugby’s World Cup for a record third time. Considering the country has 30 million sheep, they were clearly the team to bleat.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
And in case you missed it:
Which means there is still no legal way to enjoy a Cleveland Browns game.
James Corden (CBS), on Ohio residents voting down a referendum to legalize marijuana.
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller