TORONTO — The final third of the season is here and it’s crunch time for all nine teams across the CFL.

The Stampeders are emerging with a legitimate shot at tying the Eskimos’ mark of 16 wins in a season set in 1989. With only East opponents remaining, can the Stamps close out their 2016 campaign with the best record in CFL history at 16-1-1?

In Toronto, the Argos appear primed to go to Drew Willy at quarterback — but three weeks after being acquired, is the former Blue Bomber the answer at quarterback for the Boatmen moving forward?

Last but not least, the Bombers just had their seven-game winning streak ended by Calgary. Still, sitting tied for second in the West, will the Bombers track down a home playoff game come November?

Fall football is here and the excitement is ramping up! We ask the tough questions, you answer in The Weekly Say.

Here are nine pressing questions for Week 15:

1. Will the Stampeders finish 16-1-1?

The Stampeders continue to be really, really good, but could they be entering rarefied air?

After a thrilling last-second win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Stampeders are five wins away from finishing with the best record of all-time.

The Eskimos currently hold those bragging rights for their 16-2 season in 1989. But if the Stampeders can topple each of their five remaining opponents — Montreal and Toronto twice each and Hamilton once — they’ve finish 16-1-1, one point ahead of Edmonton’s memorable 1989 season.

It’s worth mentioning that the Esks did not go on to win the Grey Cup that season, but for now we ask: will the Stampeders close out their season with five more wins and finish 16-1-1?

Fan Poll Will the Stampeders finish 16-1-1? Yes Vote No Vote

2. Will the Bombers earn a home playoff game?



A last-second loss to Calgary may still sting for Bombers fans, but they shouldn’t let it damper their mood long. Winnipeg has still won seven of its last eight and has a chance to climb in the West Division standings, notably ahead of the BC Lions for second place.

The race for second place is a pivotal one for the Bombers over the next five games because finishing second or better means a home playoff game. A BC-Winnipeg playoff matchup appears likely at this point but if that’s what happens, getting home field would provide a major advantage to whichever team finishes higher in the standings.

The Bombers face a tough road the rest of the way with games against Edmonton, BC (X2) and Ottawa (X2) — can the Bombers close out strong and play at Investors Group Field come November?

Fan Poll Will the Bombers earn a home playoff game? Yes Vote No Vote

3. Is Drew Willy the long-term answer in Toronto?

Set to start his first game as an Argo, Drew Willy is getting a new opportunity in the Canadian Football League to be a starting quarterback after his time ran out in Winnipeg.

Willy showed some glimpses in the second half of a loss against Ottawa, throwing a touchdown pass to Kevin Elliott despite not getting first-team reps or any familiarity with his receivers in practice.

Many say Willy has the tools to be an upper-echelon quarterback, while Head Coach Scott Milanovich very clearly wanted the former Bomber and Roughrider under centre for his team.

Now, as he heads under centre for a team in need of a long-term answer at football’s most pivotal position, can Willy get redemption for how things went in Winnipeg?

Fan Poll Is Drew Willy the Argos' long-term answer at QB? Yes Vote No Vote

4. Where will the Ticats finish in the East?

It’s basically a week to week question at this point, but so far the East Division race has offered no clarity as to who will finish where.

An Ottawa win over Toronto combined with the Ticats’ loss in Saskatchewan puts Hamilton a point back of first place, yet the Tabbies have the favourable schedule with four of their final five games at home.

The Ticats were the division favourite entering the season by many many accounts, but this season have struggled with continuity on both sides of the ball. Injuries and new players have played a role, while the offence continues to adapt to first-year offensive coordinator Stef Ptaszek and Zach Collaros continues working his way back from a season-ending knee injury in 2015.

Known for slumping out of the gate and then heating up at the right time, will the Ticats fly or falter down the stretch in the fight for the East?

Fan Poll Where will the Ticats finish in the East? 1st Vote 2nd Vote 3rd Vote 4th Vote

5. Has the Eskimos’ defence rounded into form?

Do the Eskimos have a championship-calibre defence?

There was the thought that with the Brandyn Thompson signing and some more time under first-year defensive coordinator Mike Benevides, the Esks’ defence would get on track as the season progressed.

There appears to be some truth to that, as the Esks’ defence responded to an early deficit and put plenty of pressure on Jonathon Jennings, forcing two interceptions — including a critical one late in the game — to earn a much-needed Week 14 victory.

While some ups and downs continue, has the Eskimos’ defence rounded into form?

Fan Poll Has the Esks' defence rounded into form? Yes Vote No, not there yet Vote

6. Will the Alouettes win Jacques Chapdelaine’s first game?

All the talk out of Montreal has been positive since Jim Popp stepped aside as head coach and Jacques Chapdelaine was hired. But can the boost in psyche change the Alouettes’ fortunes over the remainder of the season?

The Als’ season is still alive with matchups against Toronto, Edmonton, Saskatchewan, Calgary, BC and Hamilton in the wings, but coming back to make the playoffs will be tough with three games to make up on the Esks, who currently hold a crossover position.

As much as Chapdelaine’s club would love to make the playoffs, winning football starts with a single victory. That can happen Sunday afternoon against Drew Willy and the Argos, but will the Alouettes follow through?

Fan Poll Will Jacques Chapdelaine win his head coaching debut? Yes Vote No Vote

7. Has Jonathon Jennings met expectations this season?

Jonathon Jennings continues to be one of the league’s most exciting players to watch this season, while he certainly hasn’t been affected by any kind of sophomore slump.

The Lions at 8-4 under Jennings’ leadership while Head Coach and General Manager Wally Buono continues singing the young quarterback’s praises.

Jennings’ two interceptions against Edmonton likely led to a loss, but that’s what you get with one of the league’s biggest playmakers — especially one who’s still learning at a mere 24 years old.

Sure, the Lions’ starting pivot could be more consistent, but has he met expectations through the 2016 season thus far?

Fan Poll Has Jonathon Jennings met expectations in 2016? He's exceeded expectations Vote He has met expectations Vote He has not met expectations Vote

8. Who will finish with more wins — the Riders or Alouettes?

It wasn’t long ago that at 1-10, the Saskatchewan Roughriders appeared to be entrenched as the CFL’s worst team in 2016.

Chris Jones has since gotten this team playing pretty good ball, following up a series of close losses that could have gone either way with last-second wins.

Jones’ squad has played well over the last five games or so, but recently it’s added something new to its arsenal: the ability to pull out close results.

The Riders have now reached 3-10 while in Montreal, which sits 3-9, the Als have looked for a shakeup with the hiring of Jacques Chapdelaine — last year the Riders’ offensive coordinator.

Which team will finish with more wins in 2016?

Fan Poll Which team will finish with more wins in 2016? Montreal Alouettes Vote Saskatchewan Roughriders Vote

9. How will the REDBLACKS finish the final third of their season?

Every team but Calgary and arguably BC has been unpredictable throughout the 2016 CFL season. The Ottawa REDBLACKS are no exception.

A win over Toronto in Week 14 helped the REDBLACKS get back over .500 and into first in the East, but hanging on to top spot won’t be easy.

Ottawa finishes its season schedule with games against BC, Saskatchewan, Hamilton (X2) and Winnipeg (X2), and will likely need at least a split against Hamilton to take the East.

With road games still at BC, Hamilton and Winnipeg, how will Ottawa finish a year after appearing in the Grey Cup Championship?