Main Story

B.C. visits Edmonton in the CFL West final, with both teams chasing a long-awaited playoff milestone: the Lions seek their first Grey Cup appearance since 2011, while the Elks aim to win their first home playoff game since 2015. B.C.’s Nathan Rourke and a league-leading turnover margin face an Edmonton team built around a strong rushing attack and home-field advantage. The winner advances to the Grey Cup on Nov. 15.

By the Numbers
  • Elks: 13-5; Lions: 10-8.
  • Edmonton was 8-1 at home; B.C. was 4-5 on the road.
  • The teams split their two regular-season meetings.
  • Edmonton averaged 127.6 rushing yards per game; B.C. allowed a CFL-best 71.3.
  • B.C. led the league with a plus-23 turnover ratio and 27 interceptions.
Yes, But

Edmonton’s home crowd, strong pass defense and top-ranked ground game make the Elks a serious threat. But B.C. has the league’s best rush defense, and Rourke is coming off a 366-yard, three-touchdown performance in the West semifinal.

State of Play
  • The teams split the season series, with each winning at home.
  • More than 32,000 tickets had been sold for the game, with attendance potentially nearing 40,000.
  • B.C. is favored by 1.5 points; the forecast calls for 6 C, wind and a 30% chance of precipitation.
What’s Next

The winner will face the East final’s winner—Winnipeg or Montreal—for the Grey Cup in Calgary on Nov. 15. The preview picks B.C. to win 28-20.

Bottom Line

Edmonton’s home-field edge meets B.C.’s defensive strength and Rourke’s playmaking. If the Lions contain Justin Rankin and protect the ball, they have a path to end their Grey Cup drought.