CFL SIM: STAMPS CLOSE REGULAR SEASON BEATING RIDERS 11-5

CALGARY – Canada’s Game of the Week in Week 21 of the 2020 CFL SIM season didn’t feature even one touchdown, but it came down to the final play. In the end, the Calgary Stampeders eked out an 11-5 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders at virtual McMahon Stadium to cap their season at 13-5, and take the #1 seed in the overall standings.

In a computer-simulated game on Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football, Saskatchewan entered the game with a 10-7 record and needed a victory to clinch the #2 overall seed.

In a game broadcast on Facebook Live, the offenses were stuck in park for most of the night. A Calgary safety gave the Riders a 2-0 lead after the first quarter. A 48-yard Rene Parades field goal at 10:01 of the second quarter gave the Stamps a brief 3-2 lead however another Stamps safety put Saskatchewan up 4-3 at the break.

The live halftime show performance featured Prince Albert singer Katelyn Lehner.

The Riders conceded a safety at 8:03 of the third quarter and another Parades field goal – from 23 yards – gave Calgary an 8-4 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Saskatchewan kicker Brett Lauther scored a rouge on a 50-yard missed field goal at 10:01, and another Parades field goal with 3:09 remaining put the game away. The Riders had the chance to win the game with a last-minute touchdown drive however they turned the ball over on downs deep in Calgary territory in the waning seconds.

Saskatchewan lost the turnover battle 3-0 while quarterback Cody Fajardo out-duelled his counterpart Bo Levi Mitchell in the passing department. Fajardo threw for 258 yards to win the 2020 passing crown just barely over Mitchell who tossed for 159 yards.

At 10-8, the Riders need to await the outcome of the Edmonton (9-8) at Toronto (9-8) contest to see if they’ll finish second. A couple of other teams face must-win scenarios as BC (8-9) visits Hamilton (6-11) and Winnipeg (8-9) travels to Montreal (5-12).

The 2020 CFL SIM Playoffs will feature a Top 6 format with the top two teams getting a bye on division semifinal weekend. The 3rd-place finisher will face the 6th seed and #4 plays #5.

(Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football/Nelson Hackewich)