Whether your team made it or not

Watchful eye: Top 25 players to watch in the playoffs
Whether your team made it or not, the playoffs truly are the most wonderful time of the year. That time is now in the CFL, and with so many storylines entering next weekend’s Semi-Final matchups it appears that we’re in for a special three weeks.So many things go into the making of a Grey Cup winner, especially in a league where the champion is not necessarily the best team on paper, but instead the one that’s hot at just the right time. There’s something to be said for the unpredictability of the sport and those who play it, and that comes into play now more than any other time. When everything’s suddenly on the line, some players rise to the occasion and relish the opportunity to be a hero, when others you’d expect to don’t.With the regular season and all of its past accomplishments in the rearview mirror, those who come up big under pressure end up making the difference between going home early, and holding up that trophy.Here is a list of the top 25 players to watch between now and Nov. 24th, when the 101st Grey Cup will be played out in Regina, Saskatchewan. 25. Tyron Brackenridge – Safety, Saskatchewan RoughridersIn the playoffs the hits get harder, and in the cold weather they hurt more. That doesn’t bode well for ball carriers facing the Rider defence, as ‘T-Brack’ is among the hardest hitters in the league. Since moving from linebacker to safety at the start of this year his impact has only grown, so don’t expect that to change in the playoffs. 24. Jeff Fuller – Wide Receiver, Calgary StampedersHe’s only 23 and not far-removed from his college football days at Texas A&M, but with Marquay McDaniel to miss out for the playoffs after being injured in the regular season finale, suddenly this six-foot-four dynamo is a crucial part of the Stamps’ offence. Will he rise to the challenge of being one of Kevin Glenn’s go-to guys?23. Taj Smith – Wide Receiver, Saskatchewan RoughridersHe followed up an impressive rookie season with an excellent sophomore season, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark and establishing himself as one of the most explosive receivers in the league. Smith is the deep threat on this offence and can change the entire game on just a single play. Defences beware.22. Patrick Watkins – Defensive Back, Toronto ArgonautsOne of very few constants on a defence that changed weekly,Arizona Cardinals Jersey, Watkins remains one of the most dynamic defensive backs in the league. His athleticism and towering frame allow him to hold some of the game’s top offensive playmakers at bay, while he’s also shown a tendency to make big plays when the game is on the line – as made evident by his 10 interceptions in two seasons.21. Stefan Logan – Running Back, BC LionsEven at 32, Logan remains one of the most explosive game-changing running backs in the league. He returned late in the season to form a dynamic duo with non-import back Andrew Harris, and in their two games they’ve combined for 363 yards. Logan has seemingly injected life into a running game that had trouble through most of 2013.20. Chad Kackert – Running Back, Toronto ArgonautsWhile injured through most of 2013, it’s impossible to leave out the MVP of last year’s Grey Cup. Kackert may not be Jon Cornish or Kory Sheets, but he’s still one of the biggest game-breakers in the Argo offence given his ability to make plays out of the backfield – not just as a runner but as a receiver.19. Marcus Ball – Linebacker, Toronto ArgonautsThe sparkplug of the Argo defence, Ball was a huge part of the team’s run to the Grey Cup last season. He’s one of the quickest guys to the football in the league, which makes him one of those players Defensive Coordinator Chris Jones covets and a player to watch in these playoffs.18. Chip Cox – Linebacker, Montreal AlouettesWith 114 tackles this season, Cox was the CFL’s tackle leader. But more than that, he’s a huge playmaker on a defence that’s built on sending pressure to the quarterback and forcing turnovers. You can expect to see this defensive MOP candidate all over the field any time the Als defence is out there.17. Juwan Simpson – Linebacker, Calgary StampedersThree straight linebackers on the list, but you can’t say enough about Simpson’s role in his team’s success over the past two seasons. The 29-year-old is the glue that holds this defence together, and will play a pivotal role in going up against a marquee rushing attack in either the Lions or the Riders.16. Duron Carter – Wide Receiver, Montreal AlouettesUntil Dan Hawkins was dismissed as head coach, Carter wasn’t even on the Alouettes’ radar. Now all of a sudden he’s one of the most explosive receivers in the CFL, with 909 yards and five touchdowns in a shortened season. If this team is going to get to the Grey Cup, it’s hard to imagine this 22-year-old burner not being part of the reason.15. Troy Smith – Quarterback, Montreal AlouettesIt’s hard to believe that Smith, not even on the roster to start the regular season,Cheap NFL Jerseys, is about to start his first career CFL playoff game. Despite his experience though the former Heisman Trophy-winner and NFL draft pick is definitely one to watch, as he’s thrown for 884 yards and nine touchdown passes in limited action and possesses big-time arm strength and the ability to run.14. Kevin Glenn – Quarterback, Calgary StampedersPerhaps Drew Tate should be on this list given his ability to find a way off the bench into games, but Glenn has earned the nod as the team’s starting quarterback for the playoffs and while he’s not the flashiest of quarterbacks, he simply knows how to win football games. At 34 years old he’s enjoyed a career season in 2013, and would love to cap that off with a championship.13. Andy Fantuz – Slotback, Hamilton Tiger-CatsDespite starting on the shelf due to injury, Fantuz still finished second on the team in receiving yards with 896 this season. He’s the go-to guy for Henry Burris and his understanding of Kent Austin’s complex offence makes him a vital part of what the Ticats want to do when they have the football.12. Chad Owens – Slotback, Toronto ArgonautsInjuries cooled off a magnificent start to the season for last year’s Most Outstanding Player, but Owens appears to be getting healthy at just the right time and should be able to resume his role as a go-to player in the offence and as a kick returner. There’s a reason he was recently voted ‘biggest threat to score’ in the 2013 TSN Player Poll.11. Weston Dressler – Slotback, Saskatchewan RoughridersArguably the most consistent pass-catcher in the league, Dressler’s role could expand even more as the status of Chris Getzlaf’s health remains very much in the air. He’s quick and reliable over the middle of the field and will be the number one target of quarterback Darian Durant throughout the playoffs.10. Nick Moore – Slotback, BC LionsWhile the addition of Emmanuel Arceneaux took headlines in the off-season, Moore took the league by storm in his first full season as a starter, finishing third in the league with 1,105 receiving yards to go with six touchdowns. He’s part of the new generation of receivers in BC, and will play a pivotal role in his team’s playoff success.9. C.J. Gable – Running Back, Hamilton Tiger-CatsA virtual unknown coming into the season, Gable quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic dual-threat running backs in the league, finishing among rushers with 782 yards on the ground to go along with 598 receiving yards. The Ticats line up a bevy of weapons on their offence, but if teams don’t pay special attention to Gable they could pay dearly.8. S.J. Green – Slotback, Montreal AlouettesArguably the league’s most dynamic receiver over the past half-decade, Green is virtually impossible to stop when on his game. If the ball goes anywhere in his vicinity there’s a good chance he’ll pull it in, making him a nightmare for defences to cover. Add to that a quarterback in Troy Smith who isn’t afraid to go vertical, and suddenly the Als’ offence looks explosive once again.7. Charleston Hughes – Defensive End, Calgary StampedersIt’s hard to fathom a defensive player being up there with the likes of S.J. Green and C.J. Gable, but that’s just the kind of impact this year’s sack leader has made this season. Hughes’ 18 sacks led the Stampeders to a league-best 63 sacks in 2013, meaning he’ll have to be a focal point for offensive coordinators in the post-season.6. Henry Burris – Quarterback, Hamilton Tiger-CatsBurris started the year on fire, putting himself on pace to reach a career-high in passing yards. As he slowed down later in the season and also finished the year with 19 interceptions, it remains true to say the only person who can stop the 38-year-old is himself. The question on everyone’s mind now is which Hank will show up in the playoffs? 5. Travis Lulay – Quarterback, BC LionsIt’s not a stretch to say the Lions’ post-season hopes rest on the throwing shoulder of Lulay, even if he isn’t the confirmed starter yet for the Semi-Final in Regina on Nov. 10. Lulay was after all the MOP in 2011 and the reason the Lions won that year, his return could easily put this team over the top. 4. Kory Sheets – Running Back, Saskatchewan RoughridersHe says he’s the best running back in the CFL, and despite being outdueled by Jon Cornish throughout the regular season he’ll get a chance to prove his claim once and for all in the playoffs. When Sheets was at the absolute top of his game this season, the Riders were impossible to stop. They’ll hope he can get back to that form starting this upcoming weekend.3. Ricky Ray – Quarterback, Toronto ArgonautsIf not for being sidelined with two separate injuries for half the season, Ray may have been a shoe-in for MOP this season. He set CFL records for completion percentage and quarterback rating this season, and is heading into the playoffs well-rested and also coming off a career game against the Bombers. Sit back and enjoy one of the game’s best ever go to work.2. Jon Cornish – Running Back, Calgary StampedersHe’s one of the most vibrant personalities off the field, but on it Cornish is just plain hard to stop. It’s no secret that the Stampeders focus their offence on the run game, and they’ve got the right horse to do it as Cornish is simply the best. After breaking his own single-season rushing record for a non-import, the 28-year-old sets his sights on a Grey Cup Championship.1. Darian Durant – Quarterback, Saskatchewan RoughridersThere may not be a more polarizing figure in the league, particularly for Roughriders fans. Durant is consistently one of the top passers in the league, and this season had a career-year with 31 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions. But while he has two Grey Cup appearances next to his name, he’s still in search of his first ring. The Riders seem to have all the pieces needed to get to the Grey Cup at home and win it, which means all of the pressure is on this guy to get the job done.