Hamilton @ Ottawa preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 27, 2018 ) Ottawa 30, Hamilton 13

The Ottawa Redblacks host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Division Final on Sunday. The Redblacks won all three meetings with the Tiger-Cats in the regular season, including a home-and-home sweep during the final stretch, to clinch the East Division title and earn home field advantage for the playoffs as they aim for their third Grey Cup appearance in the last four years.

"They know a lot about us, we know a lot about them and it's going to come down to one football game," Ottawa coach Rick Campbell told reporters. "We've played a lot of big games and close games against these guys so it's becoming a rivalry which is good." Hamilton is in a confident mood following a 48-8 rout of the BC Lions in the Eastern Semifinal last Sunday. The Tiger-Cats limped into the semifinal with three consecutive losses, but scored on their first three possessions against the Lions - the first team do so in the playoffs in 33 years - en route to one of their most lopsided postseason wins in franchise history, and hope to advance to their first Grey Cup since 2014. "Ottawa is definitely a great opponent and we have yet to beat them this year and playing at their place is going to be a tall task," Hamilton defensive end Adrian Tracy told reporters. "But we enjoy challenges and I think the coaching staff will have us prepared and ready to play."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPNews

ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (9-10): Jeremiah Masoli had a playoff debut to remember as he completed 14-of-19 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns. Bralon Addison stepped up in the absence of injured wide receivers Brandon Banks (shoulder), Jalen Sanders (knee), Chris Williams (Achilles) and Terrence Toliver (undisclosed) as the former Oregon Duck hauled in five passes for 124 yards against the Lions. Defensive back Jumal Rolle was a late scratch for the Eastern Semifinal after suffering a cut to his Achilles and will miss Sunday's clash with wide receiver Terrell Sinkfield, who played cornerback in the NFL, likely to take his spot.

ABOUT THE REDBLACKS (11-7): Safety Antoine Pruneau, who recorded 50 tackles and one interception in 2018, is ready to return to the lineup after breaking his thumb, which caused him to miss the final five games of the regular season. Offensive lineman Nolan MacMillan, who recently came off the six-game injured list, could also return to the fold after being out of action since early October. Trevor Harris completed 70-of-97 passes for 836 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions against Hamilton in the regular season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ottawa outscored Hamilton 86-59 in the regular season.

2. Masoli has thrown 15 touchdown passes in his last six games.

3. Redblacks WR Brad Sinopoli led the league in receptions (116) during the season.

PREDICTION: Tiger-Cats 28, Redblacks 24