The Denver Broncos recently earned a 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. The showpiece event of the NFL season attracted plenty of attention and it got us thinking – who will win the CFL’s Grey Cup next year?
In 2015, the Edmonton Eskimos came from 13-0 down to beat the Ottawa Redblacks and claim their first Grey Cup triumph in over a decade. On that day, Mike Reilly was absolutely phenomenal and was named the Grey Cup MVP after completing 21 of his 35 passes for 269 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Looking ahead to next season, it’s hard to see the Eskimos slipping too far down the CFL pecking order. Edmonton are a strong franchise and have enjoyed plenty of success throughout their illustrious, long-standing history. Although they went ten years since their previous Grey Cup triumph, they have always been there or thereabouts and it was only a matter of time before the Eskimos had their hands back on the crown.
Can they follow up 2015’s victory and defend their crown in 2016? Perhaps both Denver and Edmonton will defend their respective Super Bowl and CFL trophies next year and, at the time of writing, the Broncos are at odds of 14/1 in the US sports betting while the Eskimos are 19/4 to hit their targets.
“Edmonton Eskimos” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by mastermaq
It could be argued that Edmonton have two main competitors for the Grey Cup next season – the Calgary Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts. Calgary last won the Grey Cup in 2014 but have already started to build a squad to challenge for the title in 2016. They have signed free agents Bakari Grant and Taylor Reed – two players with plenty of CFL experience and pedigree. Meanwhile, they managed to re-sign running back Jerome Messam, who topped over 1,000 rushing yards last season. If Calgary are going to pip Edmonton to the title, they will need an efficient running and passing game.
However, the Argonauts may be the team to watch in 2016. They are the most successful side in CFL history and are desperate to get their hands back on the Grey Cup after last winning the trophy in 2012. Toronto have certainly adopted an aggressive, ‘win now’ approach this offseason, signing a number of experienced veterans – including a deal for 33-year-old offensive lineman Josh Bourke. Bourke will provide some much-needed protection for Argonauts quarterback Ricky Ray. Their signal caller isn’t getting any younger either and, at the ripe age of 37, Toronto are under pressure to go all the way this year.
As of 12th February, these three sides are way ahead of the rest and one of Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto will win Canadian football’s top accolade this year. It won’t be easy but Edmonton have the tools to mastermind a second successive Grey Cup victory this season, as long as they avoid any long-term injuries to their influential stars. Only two teams (Argonauts 1996 and 1997, Montreal Alouettes 2009 and 2010) have managed to defend their crown in the last twenty years but, with a bit of luck, the Eskimos may go all the way and ensure the Grey Cup remains in Edmonton.
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
