The Calgary Stampeders were in this spot a year ago.
It’s a tight one — little room for error …
Heading to BC Place with their CFL post-season hopes on life support.
“We have seemed to play them a lot at the end of the year,” said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson of past meetings — mostly pivotal — versus the BC Lions.
“And sometimes we’ve needed wins — like last year — to get in.”
Same goes for Friday night’s tilt at BC Place (8 p.m., TSN, QR Calgary), which, indeed, shapes up as must-win — for the most part — for the Stamps (4-9-1), who are fighting for survival. They sit five points behind the enigmatic Lions (7-8) for the third and final playoff spot in the CFL’s West Division.
“Yeah … must-win, for sure,” said Stampeders quarterback Jake Maier. “I feel like everybody in the league is in that boat, though, outside of maybe (the Montreal Alouettes). So you embrace that — you look forward to that. It’s October, man. It’s that time.
“I think we’re going to play one of our best games — I really do,” continued Maier. “Now we’ve got to go prove that. I’m pretty confident that — regardless of the outcome — we’re going to put our best foot forward.”
They’ll need to given what’s at stake.
A Lions win would ensure they finish ahead of the Stamps in the final standings.
And that would mean the Stamps could then only make the playoffs by running down the Toronto Argonauts (8-7) for the East Division’s cross-over spot or the Saskatchewan Roughriders (7-7-1), who could lock up a playoff position when they play Saturday, for the West’s final berth.
But Maier & Co. were able to do just that last year at this time, scorching the host Lions 41-16 in an upset as part of their late-season surge to make the playoffs.
“Yeah … it’s a weird series,” said Dickenson, also recalling the 2024 season-series so far — with the Lions prevailing 26-17 in Week 2 at BC Place before the Stamps claimed a 25-24 decision at McMahon Stadium in Week 7.
“I don’t know, man — I’ve had my ups and downs against this team over the years,” echoed Maier. “Last year, I felt like they got me pretty good at times. This year, we’ve had some success.
“It’s a bit of a love-hate relationship with BC.”
Here’s hoping Friday’s finish is one from which they they can pull love.
But given their own history on the road this season — 0-6 — and the Lions’ ability to shine at times, the Stamps know it won’t be easy.
“They have a very good roster,” continued Dickenson. “I don’t think they’ve hit their stride, as well. So we’ve got to do our part to keep them guessing.
“They are a momentum team, though, especially on offence — when they’re rolling, they’re rolling. Defensively, it’s about their front. They’re strong — big. They’ve been able to stop the run. Special teams, I do feel like both of us have really reliable kickers, good punters and returners that are fearless. So I do feel like it’s going to be a good matchup.
“Who’s making the plays? Who’s creating the breaks? Who wins the turnover battle? Those three things, to me, are probably going to determine the results of the game.”
Unfortunately, it’s only results that matter now for the struggling Stampeders, who are winless in seven straight games.
But they’ve had plenty of time to shake off their Week 16 37-29 loss to the Roughriders — a significant punch to playoff hopes — to prepare to make a run at the Lions.
“Fortunately, we’re coming off a bye-week, so we have the opportunity to really refocus and look at ourselves and look at what we need to do and come back with some enthusiasm from the break,” said Stampeders rush-end James Vaughters. “So we’re looking forward to getting that opportunity to show what we’ve been preparing.
“We seem like we’re positive,” continued Vaughters. “I think we seem like we’re optimistic about what’s going on. And we believe in the gameplan to get things done. Everybody’s trying to stay optimistic and trying to fight out of a deep hole.”
“We’re going to play hard,” added Dickenson. “I think our guys are ready to play. We’re off a bye. I feel like we should be a fresh team.”
Short yardage
Two of the Stamps’ key starters in WR Clark Barnes (knee) and DB Branden Dozier (shoulder) are sidelined by injury for Friday’s game … WR Ishmael Hyman (hamstring) takes the starting spot of Barnes after missing a few games due to injury, and DB Bailey Devine-Scott takes the place of Dozier at the starting strong-side linebacker position … WR Cole Tucker, DL Anthony Federico, LB Darius Williams and DB Malcolm Thompson (hamstring) also draw into the lineup for the Stamps … After suiting up in the Stamps’ last loss, WR Rysen John, DL Josiah Coatney (knee) and DL Elliot Graham (hamstring) come off the active roster.