Courtesy Calgary Sun:
CALGARY - If playoff success in the Canadian Football League truly is based on getting hot at the right time, let’s just cut to the chase.

Bring on the B.C. Lions and Toronto Argonauts.

Winners of eight in a row, the Lions have been ready for the post-season since August. They’ve torn up the league with third-string quarterback Jarious Jackson and now Dave Dickenson, arguably the CFL’s best pivot, is healthy and ready to come off the bench.

Slotback Geroy Simon is fresh from a 200-yard game, running back Joe Smith earned a rushing title, their special teams are awesome and the defence boasts eight West Division all-stars.

Really, teams don’t get any hotter than the left coasters.

Out East, though, the Argos put together an impressive run of their own. They head into the post-season as winners of seven in a row and nine of their last 10.

Their victories are a result of less flash and more crash - an offence that does enough to survive, while defence and special teams make the difference.

During their past six games, the Argos have yielded just 66 points, while posting 20 takeaways and 20 sacks. They allowed just four offensive touchdowns during that span, as their special teams and defence each chipped in with two touchdowns.

Another incredible fact about Toronto’s hot streak is that its offensive line, which has long been a liability, gave up just four sacks.

Put all these elements together and you can see why the Argos and Lions are obvious choices to be playing at the 95th Grey Cup in Toronto on Nov. 25.

Not to be forgotten are the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who have won five of their last six. Of course they were paddled 41-13 by the Argos last week, but they still warrant consideration as a strong contender.

If the ‘Riders can get past the Calgary Stampeders in Sunday’s West Division semifinal, it brings up an interesting scenario for the West final: Saskatchewan had a 2-2 regular-season against the Lions with both victories coming at B.C. Place.

Don’t expect the ‘Riders to breeze past Calgary without resistance, though.

They matchup evenly and the Stamps are out to avenge last year’s semifinal loss to the Greenies - a 31-21 decision at McMahon Stadium in which the hosts committed six turnovers. Also, the visiting team has won the past four West semifinals.

Out East, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Montreal Alouettes meet in a battle of sputtering clubs. They’ve both shown glimpses of being upper-echelon teams but neither is sprinting to the finish line.

Winnipeg peaked early, storming out to a 7-3-1 record but has gone 3-4 since. Montreal had a hot streak in the middle of the season but goes into the knockout rounds having won just two of its last eight games.

They met last week in Winnipeg - site of Sunday’s East semifinal - and the Bombers won 20-17.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about the CFL post-season, it’s to expect the unexpected.

But if someone knocks off the Lions or Argos this month, it would be a true stunner.