3 players who could help their team succeed in the West final

Only one team has beaten Calgary when it mattered, and it was way back in Week 1.

That team was the BC Lions, and that's who stands in the way of the Stampeders as they try to return to the Grey Cup after winning it all in 2014.

These X factors could be the difference for their respective teams:

DaVaris Daniels - Stampeders

Losing two of their top four receivers from a year ago, the Stampeders found a new star in rookie DeVaris Daniels, who hauled in 74 passes for 885 yards and a team-leading nine touchdowns.

His 17.4 yards per catch were second in the league among qualifiers, showing his ability to get behind defences and giving Bo Levi Mitchell a new weapon with speed to burn.

The Lions possess the league's best defence in yards against per game. In his first career playoff appearance, the Stampeders will look to Daniels to step up on the big stage and pick up big chunks of yardage at a time.

Jeremiah Johnson - Lions

Running back Jeremiah Johnson finished fifth in the CFL in rushing with 809 yards, also adding seven touchdowns. However, in two games against the Stampeders this season, Johnson rushed for just 97 combined yards and was held out of the end zone.

In his last four games, Johnson has rushed for 359 yards, including 110 and a touchdown in the Western semifinal against Winnipeg. If the Lions want to control the clock and keep the Stampeders' explosive offence on the sideline, Johnson will have to move the chains for BC.

He'll also be needed in pass protection, helping to stay in and block against the Stampeders' pass-rushers - they got to the quarterback 52 times this year, tied for the most in the CFL.

Ja'Gared Davis - Stampeders

The Stampeders led the CFL in scoring defence while tying for the most sacks. The Lions possess the third-best scoring offense, and a good way to neutralize that is by pressuring the quarterback.

Rookie defensive lineman Ja'Gared Davis finished second on the team in sacks with seven, but he also added three forced fumbles, recovered another for a touchdown, and had an interception.

His playmaking ability may be overshadowed by Charleston Hughes and his league-leading 16 sacks in 2016, but if the Lions focus on stopping Hughes, that could allow Davis to run loose.