Eskimos look to clinch West with 8th straight win

With a win Sunday, the Edmonton Eskimos can clinch their first West Division title since 2005.

The only thing standing in the way is the East Division's basement-dwelling Montreal Alouettes. On paper, the West-leading Eskimos should have no problem with Montreal, but with the crossover playoff spot still up for grabs, expect an inspired effort from the Als.

There isn't a hotter club in the CFL than the 13-4 Eskimos, who enter Sunday's matchup on a seven-game winning streak. While the team has been impressive across the board during its undefeated run, the play of quarterback Mike Reilly has been the key.

The sixth-year man out of Central Washington returned to the starting lineup Sept. 12 in the club's 27-16 win over Calgary, and the Eskimos haven't lost since. Reilly has thrown for 11 touchdowns during the winning streak, which has also seen slotback Adarius Bowman emerge as the No. 1 option, averaging over 200 yards receiving the last two games.

The offensive outburst, combined with the league's stingiest defence, has the Eskimos primed to win the West and obtain the valuable first-round playoff bye.

The Alouettes have lost four of their last five games, and are barely hanging on in the race for the crossover spot. They sit at 6-10, along with the BC Lions, and are one game up on Winnipeg with one week remaining.

Edmonton faced the Alouettes on Aug. 13 in Montreal, edging the Als 15-12.