3 keys to victory for BC, Calgary in Week 20

REGINA — The Calgary Stampeders wrap up their regular season with a pivotal game against the BC Lions at McMahon Stadium on Saturday night.

With a 33-28 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last week, Calgary fell to 8-9.

BC beat Ottawa to improve to 10-6.

The Stampeders took the first meeting of the season between the two, 41-33 in Week 4, before the Lions responded with a 30-26 victory in Week 11.

The Lions can clinch a home playoff game with a win or a Winnipeg loss, while the Stampeders can improve their playoff chances with a victory of their own before heading into a Week 21 bye, though their fate remains out of their hands.

Here’s three keys to victory for both teams ahead of Saturday's 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff, which can be watched on TSN in Canada and on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.

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BC LIONS

1. FOLLOW THE LEAD OF DARNELL SANKEY

Lions linebacker Darnell Sankey has been a problem for opposing offences all season, totalling 102 defensive tackles and three sacks. In two games against Calgary, he’s recorded 11 tackles and will be needed to keep Stamps quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. and running back Ludovick Choquette in check.

2. CREATE HOLES UP FRONT

The Lions will again have two rushers they can count on in James Butler and Zander Horvath. Their continued success relies on an offensive line led by Anu Una and Brandon Yates, and their ability to open gaps against a Calgary front that is allowing 104.9 yards per game on the ground.

3. FIVE GUYS WIDE

The Lions' pass game is a handful when everyone’s involved, and it’s up to Nathan Rourke to make it happen. Receivers Keon Hatcher Sr., Justin McInnis and Jevon Cottoy are the obvious targets, but the play of Stanley Berryhill III and Jermaine Jackson is equally important in stretching the Stampeders' secondary.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

1. ON THE BOARD EARLY

Calgary doesn’t want to find itself in a position of chasing the game. Adams Jr. and Choquette need to find a way into the end zone after scoring just three points in the first quarter last week.

2. RENÉ PAREDES

In the final regular season game of his 15-year career, kicker René Paredes may be asked to play a big role. Calgary is averaging 35.3 points while allowing 33.8, so field goals and extra points could make the difference.

3. DISCIPLINE

Calgary entered the week with a league-high 145 penalties, averaging 8.5 per game, while BC had committed a league-low 99. Head coach Dave Dickenson’s team will need to clean things up and avoid giving the Lions any unnecessary advantages.

NEED TO KNOW:

• Rourke is 5-1 against Calgary. He passed for a season-high 462 yards in the team’s Week 4 matchup. He’s averaged 340 yards in his past nine games.

• In his eight year-career with BC, Hatcher Sr. has 5,907 receiving yards. Seven Lions have reached 6,000.

• Adams Jr. is 2-4 against BC. He has eight touchdown passes in his past three games, and he hasn’t been intercepted in his past 135 attempts.

• Stampeders’ receiver Jalen Philpot needs 13 receiving yards for 3,000. In his last four games, he has 30 catches for 384 yards and two touchdowns.

• Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET and can be watched on TSN in Canada and on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.