4 storylines to watch in Week 17

With just five weeks left in the regular season, The Final Stretch to the 2026 Grey Cup Playoffs is well underway.

There are plenty of playoff scenarios and things to keep an eye on this weekend, as Week 17 kicks off on Friday night.

To get you ready for the week ahead, here is one storyline to watch in each game.

DEFENCE, DEFENCE, DEFENCE

TORONTO AT WINNIPEG FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 8:00 P.M. ET TSN, RDS, CBSSN, CFL+

Both the Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers are coming off standout defensive performances.

Last week, the Argos defence frustrated Cody Fajardo and co., especially SAM linebacker Adarius Pickett, who tallied 13 defensive tackles, eight pressures, according to PFF, a knockdown and a sack in his team's win. Edmonton was just one-for-six in the red zone and the Argos picked off Fajardo twice in the end zone. Plus, Ralph Holley's fumble recovery touchdown proved to be the difference in the contest as Toronto clinched a playoff spot and a home playoff date.

Winnipeg, coming off a Week 16 bye, had a similar story in their Banjo Bowl win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The defence held Trevor Harris and the offence to just two field goals in the contest and forced Saskatchewan into five turnovers, including Redha Kramdi tallying an interception and a forced fumble.

With both teams looking for positioning in their respective divisions, the Argos want the top spot in the East while Winnipeg is eyeing moving up the West Division standings, it may come down to the defence to decide the winner.

A BATTLE FOR SECOND PLACE IN THE WEST

SASKATCHEWAN AT BC FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 10:30 P.M. ET TSN, CFL+

Friday night's late game will be massive for the Lions and Roughriders. Nathan Rourke and his Leos are just two points behind Trevor Harris and his Riders, who sit in second place in the West Division.

This is the third and final meeting between the teams, with each splitting the first two. Week 2 saw Saskatchewan win 31-27. Week 12 was a 30-16 win for the Lions. That means whoever wins this one will hold the tiebreaker. And with how competitive the West Division has been this season, that could make all the difference come playoff time.

BC is riding momentum, winning six of their last seven, while Saskatchewan has won two of their last three. The Lions boast the league's top offence in terms of yardage, averaging 427.7 net yards per game, with a balance of Rourke airing it out to his receivers and Zander Horvath leading the way on the ground. Saskatchewan's defence is stout, allowing just 26.2 points per game, second-lowest in the CFL.

Who wins the rubber match in Week 17?

LET'S HAVE A REPEAT OF WEEK 16, SHALL WE?

CALGARY AT OTTAWA SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 3:00 P.M. ET TSN, RDS2, CTV, CRAVE, CFL+

The Calgary Stampeders and Ottawa REDBLACKS meet for the second half of their home-and-home series, this time at TD Place.

Last week's contest between the two went right down to the wire, with the Stampeders winning 40-38 on a walk-off, career-long 62-yard field goal from Rene Paredes.

Ottawa, now 0-13, was oh-so-close to getting their first win of the season in the first meeting. McLeod Bethel-Thompson started his first game for the REDBLACKS last week and threw five touchdown passes, three of which went to Keelan White. He targeted Justin Hardy 19 (!) times in the game, with the receiver hauling in 12 passes for 129 yards and a major score.

Will it finally be Ottawa's time? Or will Calgary sweep the back-to-back series as they battle for playoff positioning in the West Division?

WILL HAMILTON KEEP THEIR PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE?

HAMILTON AT EDMONTON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 7:00 P.M. ET TSN, CFL+

The Tiger-Cats' playoff hopes hang in the balance and this weekend's game against the Edmonton Elks is a must-win for Scott Milanovich's club.

With a Calgary win over Ottawa and a Hamilton loss, the Tiger-Cats would be eliminated from playoff contention. A Winnipeg win over the Argonauts, a BC win over the Riders and a Ticats loss and Hamilton is also eliminated from playoff contention.

While the Ticats will be scoreboard watching the earlier games in Week 17, the one thing they can control will be their contest against Edmonton. A win keeps them alive in the playoff race for another week, regardless of whatever happens with the other games.

It'll be a tough task for Hamilton this week against an Edmonton Elks team that had won four straight contests before losing to the Argos last week. But can the Black and Gold make a statement on Saturday night?