Both CFL division final games take place on Saturday, with a trip to the Grey Cup on the line.
This week's CFL narrative: The Montreal Alouettes started the season slowly but appear unbeatable with Davis Alexander starting at quarterback. Out west, take the red-hot BC Lions to cover as underdogs against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Check out my CFL playoff picks and predictions for the division final games on Saturday, Nov. 8.
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CFL playoff picks: East final
Best bet: Alouettes -3 (-110)
The first thing to note is that Alexander has never lost as a CFL starter. He set a record by winning 11 straight regular-season games, and then he dismantled the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in his postseason debut (a 42-33 win).
The Als finished second in the East Division behind the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and went 0-2 in this matchup during the regular season.
But Montreal was without Alexander in both games, so I'm not putting much stock into the results.
And for good reason. Check out the splits this season with and without the QB:
- With Alexander: 7-0 (34.0 PPG)
- Without Alexander: 3-8 (18.8 PPG)
It's a night-and-day difference when Alexander is healthy. The Als have scored 25+ in every game the quarterback started.
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That gives Montreal a really solid offensive floor. If the offence scores 30 points or more, it would be hard for any team to keep track, including the Ti-Cats.
On paper, these two teams are evenly matched, but I will back the momentum of the Alouettes behind a healthy Alexander.
Key stat: Hamilton was consistently good all season, but the team is 2-2 in its past four and allowed 37+ points in both losses.
CFL betting predictions: West final
Lions +3.5 (-110): In the West final, I'll again pick the away team but this time as an underdog.
No squad is riding higher than the Lions right now. BC is on a seven-game heater dating back to Week 15.
That includes a six-point win over the Riders in Week 21. Nathan Rourke threw for 368 yards and three touchdowns in that contest.
Saskatchewan started the year winning 10 of its first 12 games, but things have slowed down drastically.
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The Roughriders are 2-4 since, with the two victories coming against the Ottawa Redblacks and Toronto Argonauts — the two teams with the worst records in the CFL.
Quarterback Trevor Harris is dealing with a lingering injury in his throwing shoulder, which doesn't help his case when matching up against a scorching-hot Rourke.
The Lions' QB finished second in the CFL in passing yards (5,290) and passing TDs (31) while rushing for 564 yards and adding another 10 scores on the ground.
I simply cannot fade the Lions right now and will happily back them to cover a field goal in this contest.
CFL playoff picks made at 11:45 a.m. on 11/06/2025.
