Daniel Porter and the Edmonton Eskimos don't have to worry about needing a series of events to take place this weekend in order to qualify for the CFL's West Division playoffs.
Win in Regina on Saturday in their season finale and they're in.
It's really that simple as Porter and the Eskimos prepare to face a struggling Saskatchewan Roughriders squad that's lost four in a row. Edmonton (7-10) heads into the contest tied with the B.C. Lions for the third and final West playoff spot but holds the tie-breaker so the Lions must finish the season with more points in order to advance to the postseason.
"Yes, it really is that simple, but the truth of the matter is you have to play every game like it's a playoff game," Porter said in an interview Tuesday. "We've pretty much been in playoff mode lately so we already know how to play right now.
"We just have to play our game and come out with a win. We have a lot of weapons and if we use them to our advantage we'll have success. The key for us is to stay hungry and don't take this team lightly or for granted. … We have to stay with what we know and get the job done."
The Eskimos could find themselves in the playoffs before taking to the field at Mosaic Stadium. The Lions are in Hamilton on Saturday afternoon and need a tie or win against the Tiger-Cats to remain in postseason contention. A loss to the Tiger-Cats, who have already cemented second spot in the East, would leave the Lions last in the West Division.
Edmonton could be boosted by the return of quarterback Ricky Ray, who has missed two games with a muscle strain in his upper torso. Ray resumed working out with the starting offence Tuesday.
Reaching the playoffs would be sweet for an Edmonton team that was languishing with a league-worst 2-9 record after dropping a 31-14 decision to the Montreal Alouettes on Sept. 19. Since then, the Eskimos have won three in a row and five of their past six to climb back into postseason contention.
As an added incentive if the Eskimos reach the playoffs, they would have home-field advantage if they advanced to the Grey Cup. The CFL title game will be held Nov. 28 at Commonwealth Stadium.
B.C. was the last league team to win a championship at home, beating the Baltimore Stallions 26-23 at B.C. Place in the 1994 Grey Cup.
"I think if we get into the playoffs we could go to the Grey Cup," Porter said. "If we get to the Grey Cup we'd have home-field advantage so why not. … It would just be a great feeling.
"I've never had a ring in my life and this is the best opportunity I could get right here to do that so I might as well jump on it and do what I can. I have confidence in my team that we can get the job done. The thing is to get your foot in the door."
Porter has certainly contributed to Edmonton's resurgence. He originally joined the CFL club on its practice roster and didn't dress for his first game until Oct. 3.
Since then, he's appeared in five contests - three as a starter - and has amassed 450 yards rushing on 67 carries (6.7 yard average) to help ease the loss of Arkee Whitlock, who is on the injured list after finishing third in CFL rushing last year with 1,293 yards.
Porter has surpassed 100 yards rushing in three consecutive games, the first Eskimo to do so since John Avery in 2002.
"I have to give it up to my O-line because they're doing a great job up front and our receivers are blocking for me," Porter said. "It's just me going out and knowing what I'm capable of doing and have my O-line behind me. I'll always win if it's like that."
Unfortunately for the CFL, the Eskimos and Lions are the only clubs playing meaningful games in the final week of the regular season. The Alouettes and Calgary Stampeders have long cemented top spot in their respective divisions, with Saskatchewan and Hamilton having both clinched second place and home-field advantage for their respective conference semi-finals.
The Ticats know they'll be playing host to their archrivals, the Toronto Argonauts, on Nov. 14 at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
Calgary is in Winnipeg on Friday night to face the Blue Bombers, then B.C. and Hamilton as well as Edmonton and Saskatchewan square off Saturday. The regular season ends Sunday with Toronto in Montreal.