Stampeders face BC Lions with playoff hopes hanging in the balance
CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders close out their regular season on Saturday at McMahon Stadium with their playoff hopes alive but no longer entirely in their own hands, as they host the BC Lions in their Week 20 finale.
To reach the postseason, Calgary (8-9) has to finish ahead of Winnipeg, or tied with Saskatchewan, in the final standings. Both the Blue Bombers and the Roughriders have games remaining in Week 21, while the Stampeders have a bye, so Saturday is Calgary's last word. A victory would put the Stampeders at 9-9. The club has finished a season at exactly .500 only four times before, and not since 1983. “We could win and still miss the playoffs, and we could lose and make the playoffs,” head coach Dave Dickenson said on Friday. “Let’s control as much as we can with our effort, our attitude, our focus, our positivity, and go out there and compete.”
It is a matchup of two of the CFL's most productive offences. Calgary averages 35.3 points per game, second in the league, and the Stampeders' 66 touchdowns are tied for the league lead. BC (10-6) leads the CFL in total offence at 432.7 yards per game and averages 30.8 points per game, while the Lions also own the league's best rushing defence, allowing 60.8 yards per game.
The season series is split. Calgary won the first meeting 41-33 in Kelowna in late June, and BC took the second meeting 30-26 in Calgary in mid-August. The Stampeders are coming off a 33-28 loss at Winnipeg last Saturday, while the Lions beat Ottawa 41-20 in their most recent game.
Saturday also features two of the league's top passers. Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. has thrown for 4,209 yards and 35 touchdowns against five interceptions, and he needs 29 passing yards to surpass his 2025 total of 4,237. BC's Nathan Rourke has thrown for 4,465 yards and 23 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. Adams said the injuries at receiver do not change Calgary's offence. “It doesn't change at all,” he said. “Everyone that's playing has played already in our offense.” He also pointed to BC defensive coordinator Mike Benevides, who runs what Adams called "a Rolodex of calls," with varied fronts and personnel packages designed to confuse a quarterback.
Receiver Jalen Philpot leads the Stampeders with 86 receptions for 1,181 yards and eight touchdowns, and he needs 13 receiving yards to reach 3,000 for his career. “They passed on me in the draft, so I love playing these guys,” said Philpot, who was born and raised in BC. “It's easy for me to get psyched up for this game, so I'm just going to try and lead by example and go and make some plays tomorrow.” BC's Keon Hatcher Sr. has 73 receptions for 1,128 yards and eight touchdowns.
Calgary's receiving group is thinned by injury. Dejon Brissett is on the six-game injured list, as is running back Dedrick Mills, while Reggie Begelton is on the one-game injured list. The position chart lists Ajou Ajou and Jesulayomi Ojutalayo among Calgary's receivers, and Dickenson expects Ajou to play. “I think he's playing,” Dickenson said. “He's healthy enough to play. Let's see what his role is and how many plays he gets out there.”
Dickenson also said the Stampeders need to capitalize if Rourke makes a mistake and presents an interception opportunity. Defensive lineman Clarence Hicks has 12 sacks this season, and one more would establish a new single-season career high.
Saturday will also mark the final regular-season appearance for two fixtures of the organization. Kicker René Paredes, a Stampeder since 2011, has made 652 career field goals, and longtime equipment manager George "Geo" Hopkins is in his 55th year with the club. The Stampeders plan videoboard tributes for both.
Kickoff between the Lions and Stampeders is set for 5 p.m. MT on Saturday at McMahon Stadium.
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