BC @ Hamilton preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 29, 2018 ) BC 10, Hamilton 40

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the BC Lions in the East Division semifinal Sunday. The Tiger-Cats limp into the postseason losers of three consecutive games, including back-to-back defeats to the Ottawa Redblacks that dashed their dreams of a division title, and hope to rediscover their mojo by knocking off the Lions for the second time in six weeks following a 40-10 victory Sept. 29.

"We're still in the position we had wanted to be in," Hamilton coach June Jones told reporters. "We've got a home playoff game with a chance to go to Ottawa for the Eastern Final." BC won six of its last nine regular-season games to return to the playoffs after a one-year absence. Quarterback Travis Lulay returned from a shoulder injury in mid-October to lead the Lions to vital wins over the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos that clinched a postseason berth, and the 10-year veteran hopes to guide the club to their second division final appearance in the last three seasons. "We know what we're capable of and we know it's going to take a good effort to give ourselves a chance to win," Lulay told reporters. "There are six teams left and the team that finds a way to outplay their opponent is going to be a champion."

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

ABOUT THE LIONS (9-9): Tyrell Sutton gained 15 yards on five carries in the 26-9 loss to Calgary before leaving the game with a sore leg, but is expected to play Sunday while defensive end Claudell Louis is questionable after suffering a foot injury. All-star linebacker Solomon Elimimian has missed the last 14 games with a wrist injury, but returned to practice and a decision on his availability will be made later in the week. "He's very close to playing," BC coach Wally Buono told reporters. "He's going to practice again tomorrow, he's going to work on Thursday and we'll hopefully make a decision then."

ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (8-10): Jeremiah Masoli, who set a franchise record for most 300-yard games in a single season with 12, is set to make his playoff debut after the former Oregon Ducks quarterback was among numerous starters rested in the 30-28 loss to the Montreal Alouettes in Week 21. Hamilton added linebacker Dillon Grondin and wide receiver John Diarse, who attended training camp with the Denver Broncos in the summer, to the practice squad Tuesday. Safety Mike Daly made the nine-man shortlist for the Jake Gaudaur Veterans Award, which is given annually to the Canadian who best demonstrates the virtues of Canada's war veterans.

EXTRA POINTS

1. West Division teams have won four of the last six crossover playoff games.

2. Hamilton is 1-6 in games decided by 10 or fewer points.

3. BC dropped seven of its nine regular-season road games.

PREDICTION: Tiger-Cats 27, Lions 24