Divisional Finals - The Toughest Game to Win

[ArgoRavi]

I have said this before and will say it again - the divisional final, especially when one is hosting it, is the toughest game to win; it's even tougher to win than the Grey Cup. There is no more devastating loss than a home divisional final loss and no more exhilarating win than a divisional final win at home.

Since 1982, the Argos have participated in 23 East Division Finals (1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2021, 2022, and 2023).

They are 3-5 on the road (wins in 1987, 2004, and 2012; losses in 1990, 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2010) and now just 7-8 at home (wins in 1982, 1983, 1991, 1996, 1997, 2017, 2022; losses in 1984, 1986 (2nd game of two-game total point series), 1988, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2021, and 2023).

It's the home record that concerns me the most, as all of the wins and losses have followed first place finishes. While you can't hang all of the failures on the 2023 Argos, it's definitely an area in which the franchise needs to improve upon. If you finish first and host the divisional final, you need to win that game much more often than not.

All of the home divisional final losses have been extreme low points IMO with Saturday's being as bad as any of them. This one feels a lot like the 1988 East Final when the 14-4 Argos somehow managed to lose 27-11 to a 9-9 Blue Bombers team in the final football game ever played at old Exhibition Stadium. It's especially hard to lose these games against teams that you know you are a significantly superior to. 2023, 1984, and 1988 are three years that really stand out in this regard.

Hopefully, we will see a different result in 2024.

[Will]

All I see right now is that the Argos are 1-2 in hosting three consecutive finals whereas Winnipeg has also hosted three straight and is 3-0.

[paulwoods13]

As invincible as the Argos have been when they get to the Grey Cup, their record in getting there, especially when they have home-field advantage, is pedestrian and incredibly disappointing.

[RB957]

All I see right now is that the Argos are 1-2 in hosting three consecutive finals whereas Winnipeg has also hosted three straight and is 3-0.

It has been written or commented upon, that Winnipeg fans are the loudest in the CFL, thus making it harder for visiting teams, especially in the playoffs. That is obviously a huge factor.

I am interested in hearing from others... do you think the crowd noise yesterday was as loud as it could have been?? For so many of our games, with only 14K in attendance, it seemed like the crowd noise was deafening, for lack of a better word. And I thought that we would rock the house yesterday, yet at times, even early in the game it didn't seem as loud as it could have been.

As for the comment about the franchise "doing" something about winning home playoff games - what exactly are they supposed to do? It's one game, and anything can happen in one game. And as for yesterday, this was our fourth meeting with the Als this year. I am not shocked that they were able to game plan and execute and play a good game. Had Argos not shot themselves in the feet, it would have been a barn burner of a game.

[Will]

I did some (very) rough calculations in team records in hosting Division Finals (since 1982). I chose that because it is when the Argos came out of their "dark ages."

Argos: 7-8
Hamilton: 5-0
Montreal: 7-3
Ottawa: 3-0
Winnipeg: 8-2
Edmonton: 5-4
Calgary: 8-8
Saskatchewan: 1-1
BC: 5-6

It is notable that the Argos, Lions and Stampeders have hosted the most amount of divisional finals, but their records in said games aren't the best.

[paulwoods13]

I am interested in hearing from others... do you think the crowd noise yesterday was as loud as it could have been?? For so many of our games, with only 14K in attendance, it seemed like the crowd noise was deafening, for lack of a better word. And I thought that we would rock the house yesterday, yet at times, even early in the game it didn't seem as loud as it could have been.

IMO the early pick six really took the wind out of the crowd's sails. We got nice and loud after all the sacks, but otherwise I think too many of us were biting our nails for too much of the game.

I didn't catch which team won the toss, but if we won it, IMO we should have deferred and forced Mtl to start with the ball. A big early stop by the defence (which was the strongest and most reliable aspect of this team all season) would have got the crowd super revved up. Instead we engineer a nice drive and then suffer the terrible deflation of a 106-yard pick six. That play, the strip sack immediately after McFadden's pick and the KO return TD were the three primary causes of this defeat, IMO. Kelly obviously played a terrible game, but it was still a winnable game if we had gone into halftime having just accomplished something positive. Even down 14 points in the fourth, I believed we could win -- until that KO return TD.

[Argo57]

IMO the early pick six really took the wind out of the crowd's sails. We got nice and loud after all the sacks, but otherwise I think too many of us were biting our nails for too much of the game.

I didn't catch which team won the toss, but if we won it, IMO we should have deferred and forced Mtl to start with the ball. A big early stop by the defence (which was the strongest and most reliable aspect of this team all season) would have got the crowd super revved up. Instead we engineer a nice drive and then suffer the terrible deflation of a 106-yard pick six. That play, the strip sack immediately after McFadden's pick and the KO return TD were the three primary causes of this defeat, IMO. Kelly obviously played a terrible game, but it was still a winnable game if we had gone into halftime having just accomplished something positive. Even down 14 points in the fourth, I believed we could win -- until that KO return TD.

Well summed up Paul, I’d also add in getting stuffed on the 3rd down plays which gave up getting points and killed momentum.

[Will]

This did not make a difference overall, but there was a 2nd and short play near the goal line (where Kelly was stopped on 3rd down) where the DJ kept playing music right up to the snap. Not a good look.

[ArgoGabe22]

This did not make a difference overall, but there was a 2nd and short play near the goal line (where Kelly was stopped on 3rd down) where the DJ kept playing music right up to the snap. Not a good look.

Having alumni to get the crowd to get loud when the Argos were on offence was a bit awkward.

[ArgoRavi]

IMO the early pick six really took the wind out of the crowd's sails. We got nice and loud after all the sacks, but otherwise I think too many of us were biting our nails for too much of the game.

I didn't catch which team won the toss, but if we won it, IMO we should have deferred and forced Mtl to start with the ball. A big early stop by the defence (which was the strongest and most reliable aspect of this team all season) would have got the crowd super revved up. Instead we engineer a nice drive and then suffer the terrible deflation of a 106-yard pick six. That play, the strip sack immediately after McFadden's pick and the KO return TD were the three primary causes of this defeat, IMO. Kelly obviously played a terrible game, but it was still a winnable game if we had gone into halftime having just accomplished something positive. Even down 14 points in the fourth, I believed we could win -- until that KO return TD.

Montreal won the coin toss and deferred to the 2nd half. The Argos' opening offensive drive looked like so many this season though until Kelly's mistake. If they score a TD there, this game unfolds much differently IMO.

[Argo57]

Montreal won the coin toss and deferred to the 2nd half. The Argos' opening offensive drive looked like so many this season though until Kelly's mistake. If they score a TD there, this game unfolds much differently IMO.

Thats how I see it Ravi, the TSN turning point happened two minutes into the game.
If they score Kelly and the O get some confidence and momentum for the balance of the game instead of the 14 point swing that happened as a result of that play.
Unfortunately Kelly looked indecisive and rattled the rest of the game.

[ArgoGabe22]

Thats how I see it Ravi, the TSN turning point happened two minutes into the game.
If they score Kelly and the O get some confidence and momentum for the balance of the game instead of the 14 point swing that happened as a result of that play.
Unfortunately Kelly looked indecisive and rattled the rest of the game.

Which made it super frustrating. Being down 7-0 did not scare me at all and should not of scared anyone. Defence did their job and got the ball back. I really don't know where this sense of panic was coming from. It should have never crept in this early. I can't comment on what happens on the sidelines but Chad really needed to just calm down. I wonder if putting in Dukes for a series or two would allow him to just see what Montreal was doing. Dinwiddie needed to tell him to just throw it away or eat it up. They were always somewhat still in the game.

[Argo57]

Which made it super frustrating. Being down 7-0 did not scare me at all and should not of scared anyone. Defence did their job and got the ball back. I really don't know where this sense of panic was coming from. It should have never crept in this early. I can't comment on what happens on the sidelines but Chad really needed to just calm down. I wonder if putting in Dukes for a series or two would allow him to just see what Montreal was doing. Dinwiddie needed to tell him to just throw it away or eat it up. They were always somewhat still in the game.

It was the most frustrating/disappointing Argo loss in recent memory.
A dominant and entertaining 16-2 season flushed down the toilet with 60 minutes of horrible football.

[paulwoods13]

I did some (very) rough calculations in team records in hosting Division Finals (since 1982). I chose that because it is when the Argos came out of their "dark ages."

Argos: 7-8
Hamilton: 5-0
Montreal: 7-3
Ottawa: 3-0
Winnipeg: 8-2
Edmonton: 5-4
Calgary: 8-8
Saskatchewan: 1-1
BC: 5-6

It is notable that the Argos, Lions and Stampeders have hosted the most amount of divisional finals, but their records in said games aren't the best.

Our record in finals is in sharp contrast with our record in Grey Cups over that same span (8-2, winning the last seven in a row). IMO losing the division final is way more crushing than losing the Grey Cup, although I don't have much personal evidence to base this on. I was not paying close attention in 1971, I left the 1982 GC feeling disappointed but thrilled that the team had been so entertaining and successful just one year after going 2-14, and I was not at all upset about losing the greatest Grey Cup ever played, in 1987.

[TrueBlueGuy]

It was the most frustrating/disappointing Argo loss in recent memory.
A dominant and entertaining 16-2 season flushed down the toilet with 60 minutes of horrible football.

It is very tough to lose a home playoff game, but it is worse when you lose because of Unforced Errors. Just look at the INT's. the bog first one, just toss it out of bounds. Look at the Ento pick six, Chad has AJ uncovered on the left side about two yards over the line of scrimmage, but he was WIDE OPEN, and of course all you posters know so well what cross-body throws will usually do for you.

[TrueBlueGuy]

Our Defence was fairly good, but did not do well keeping Cody from running up the middle. Montreal's offense is not exceptional, it is just average.
Although yes it's true the Als have now won 7-straight, I can't see them scoring more than 20 points on the Winnipeg D.

[paulwoods13]

It is very tough to lose a home playoff game, but it is worse when you lose because of Unforced Errors. Just look at the INT's. the bog first one, just toss it out of bounds.

Or better still, don't call that particular play. They were running effectively with Ouellette, and 10 yards out is a good spot for the QB to take off himself. Or call a pass into the end zone. RD made some really poor play calls in the 2021 Eastern Final in the red zone, and yesterday's opening drive was reminiscent of that, IMO.

[TheHammer]

IMO the early pick six really took the wind out of the crowd's sails. We got nice and loud after all the sacks, but otherwise I think too many of us were biting our nails for too much of the game.

I didn't catch which team won the toss, but if we won it, IMO we should have deferred and forced Mtl to start with the ball. A big early stop by the defence (which was the strongest and most reliable aspect of this team all season) would have got the crowd super revved up. Instead we engineer a nice drive and then suffer the terrible deflation of a 106-yard pick six. That play, the strip sack immediately after McFadden's pick and the KO return TD were the three primary causes of this defeat, IMO. Kelly obviously played a terrible game, but it was still a winnable game if we had gone into halftime having just accomplished something positive. Even down 14 points in the fourth, I believed we could win -- until that KO return TD.

That Oakman penalty negating the field goal and leading to a TD sucked for you guys, too.

[TheHammer]

Our record in finals is in sharp contrast with our record in Grey Cups over that same span (8-2, winning the last seven in a row). IMO losing the division final is way more crushing than losing the Grey Cup, although I don't have much personal evidence to base this on. I was not paying close attention in 1971, I left the 1982 GC feeling disappointed but thrilled that the team had been so entertaining and successful just one year after going 2-14, and I was not at all upset about losing the greatest Grey Cup ever played, in 1987.

The entire Ticat fanbase (including myself) would like a word.

[Argo57]

The entire Ticat fanbase (including myself) would like a word.

I hear you, Hamilton should have won the 2021 Grey Cup highlighted by some incredibly dumb coaching decisions and bad luck.
My son (an avid Ticat supporter) still laments that loss so your point is well taken.