2023 Grey Cup: What's the story for CFL teams as they wrap up the first half?

With nine games under their belts, most CFL teams have nine more to play before the playoffs kick off. While there are a few exceptions, we are essentially at the season's midpoint, assessing each of the nine teams to see who still has a shot at raising the coveted trophy come November 19.

There's still plenty of CFL action ahead, with betting odds available at all the usual outlets for those who want to get in on the excitement. best betting sites in Canada Three teams have managed to notch up seven victories so far this season, while one team languishes at 0-9, leaving its supporters hoping for some miracle or diversion to cheer for. free spins The defending Grey Cup champs are part of the Eastern Division's four squads, which has been somewhat predictable in the first half by maintaining a fairly one-sided dynamic.

Playing at home has not been kind to the Tiger-Cats, who hold a 1-3 record at Tim Hortons Field and are 3-5 overall. Only the winless Edmonton Elks have scored fewer points, a situation Hamilton must improve in the latter half of the season.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Though the Tiger-Cats reached the Grey Cup Final in four of the past nine seasons, they lost each time, including in 2019 at their home ground. The drought dates back to 1999, making it the CFL's longest run without a championship.

The 2023 final returns to Tim Hortons Field, but at this point, it seems Hamilton's fans have little to cheer for since the team has not shown the form needed to end their long-standing dry spell.

After a decisive win against the Roughriders, Montreal finds itself at 5-3. They've been solid yet unspectacular, handling teams they're expected to beat but not making a dent against the CFL's powerhouses.

Montreal Alouettes

The dynamic duo of Cody Fajardo and Austin Mack has ignited the offense, with Mack hauling in several 30-yard or more catches and racking up yards post-catch, making him one of the top receivers. On defense, Ciante Evans has led the way with interceptions.

Back in 2010, the Alouettes made it to their third consecutive Grey Cup Final, clinching the win for consecutive titles. Since then, over a decade has passed without a return to the deciding game. As the second strongest in a weak Eastern Division, they should reach the playoffs, where the slate will be wiped clean.

Scoring hasn't been a sore spot for Ottawa this season, but allowing points has definitely been troublesome. With a 3-6 record, they're at the bottom of the east, amassing 207 points which rank next to three teams all sitting on seven wins.

Ottawa Redblacks

Ottawa has been one of the few to defeat Winnipeg this season, earning an overtime victory in week 6. They were 1-3 before that game, but the win didn’t spark an upward trend, leading to just one more victory in their following four matches.

While Justin Hardy has been busy receiving, fans have seen more than enough of Lewis Ward kicking field goals—though executed well. Only playing for pride remains, leaving little room for optimism in the second half.

On a promising start, the defending Grey Cup champs stand strong with a 7-1 record, undefeated both at home and within their division, solidifying their lead in the east.

Toronto Argonauts

Their only loss thus far came in week 9 at Calgary, managing only seven points—a rare dip in their otherwise exceptional season. Winnipeg is the only team to rack up more points, while only BC and Montreal have been tougher defensively.

Chad Kelly has adeptly kept the offense rolling, while Robertson Daniel has shone defensively. The Argos look unbeatable in the east, and their week 17 match against Winnipeg—rematch of the 2022 final—will reveal if they can secure two consecutive Grey Cup victories.

Things are more congested at the top among the five western teams than they are in the east, setting the stage for some crucial matches as we move into the fall.

The Lions have had a stellar season so far, sitting at 7-2 alongside the Blue Bombers. In week 3, they left Winnipeg victorious but came crashing down in week 9 at IG Field with a 14-50 loss.

BC Lions

Their only other defeat was against Toronto, who lead the east, but supporters should be content with this record. Closing the first half with a straightforward win against Calgary, all focus now turns to October 7's decisive match as Winnipeg heads into town.

Defensive tenacity has been their cornerstone, allowing the CFL's fewest points—153—despite conceding 50 in a single game. Mathieu Betts has led with more than a sack per game.

A triumph over the Toronto Argonauts stands as a bright spot in an otherwise frustrating 3-6 season, with an even 2-2 versus the east, but only 1-4 within their own division.

Calgary Stampeders

Overtime losses at home to the Roughriders in week 3 and the Redblacks in week 7 turned potential wins into defeats. Still, they could play spoiler in this season's concluding stretch.

Both Reggie Begelton and Tre Odoms-Dukes rank among the league's top in receptions, while Micah Awe and Mike Rose shore up the other side of the ball. Challenging games against Winnipeg and Toronto lie ahead, though they'll also face the 0-9 Elks twice.

Post-merger, the team's raked in 11 Grey Cup wins but currently finds itself struggling at 0-9. The loss against Winnipeg epitomized their frailty—up 15-0 first quarter and 22-10 at halftime, only to falter, scoring just seven second-half points.

Edmonton Elks

Fans remain wary for the second half, hoping the team turns around and earns a semblance of respectability in their standings.

Three receivers have notched 80 yards or more touchdowns this season, offering fans some delight. AC Leonard, in his Elk debut season, ranks among league leaders in sacks—small positives to grasp in an otherwise faltering team.

The Roughriders stand 4-5 midway through, needing effort in games ahead. Two wins came at the expense of the 0-9 Elks, while their other two were narrow victories against Calgary and Ottawa.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Unfortunately, the first half concluded with a dispiriting loss at Montreal; they scored three points through three quarters before adding nine in the final segment, falling too far behind.

The offense is one-dimensional, heavily reliant on Shawn Bane Jnr, with Tevin Jones following close behind. It hasn't translated into victories, with defensive struggles compounding issues.

Blue Bombers supporters, whose team holds a 7-2 record, are optimistic about a fourth consecutive Grey Cup Final appearance. Offense has been their strong suit, putting up an impressive 278 points over their nine games.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Dalton Schoen is Collaros's primary target in yards, with Nic Demski and Drew Wolitarsky keeping up in touchdowns, rendering their receiving core a real challenge for defenses.

On defense, they've been less imposing, conceding 190 points. As they move towards playoffs, they'll need to stiffen that side of the ball given how successfully they've been steamrolling offensively, marking them as strong contenders.

Amid the current scene, only three teams stand out as major Grey Cup contenders. Toronto Argonauts appear to have solid control over the east, while Winnipeg Blue Bombers and BC Lions, both at 7-2 and with a season split, make the west more competitive.

Others might entertain hopes of reaching the playoffs, yet dreams of Grey Cup glory grow slimmer with time. Elks, without a single victory, are out of contention, but among the mid-level teams, who can turn it around?

Montreal Alouettes seem most poised for a strong latter half. With defense championing championships, their stout performance and fewer points allowed, second only to the Lions, spell promise.

One potential shocker could be the Calgary Stampeders. At 3-6, they've been somewhat unlucky with their record. They're prepared to face tough matches soon, notably their double encounters against the 0-9 Elks, which could spark a revitalizing run.

Having played in the last three Grey Cups, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers boast this season’s most robust offense. Despite small setbacks, they still look like the team to beat.

2023 Grey Cup: How did the CFL teams perform during the first half of the season?

We've reached the midway mark of the CFL regular season, so let's delve into the performance of all nine teams as we set our sights on the big event, the 2023 Grey Cup, scheduled for November 19.

With approximately nine games under their belts and an equal number to go, CFL teams are marching toward the playoffs. While there are a few anomalies, generally speaking, we've hit the halfway line. We're taking a closer look at how each of the nine teams stacks up as they all pursue the dream of hoisting the trophy come November 19.