The BC Lions secured their fifth consecutive Canadian Football League playoff berth on Friday, October 9, 2026, with a 41-20 win over the Ottawa REDBLACKS at BC Place in Vancouver. The victory capped a remarkable turnaround. B.C. started the season 1-5 and has now won nine of its last 10 games.

One more win in the final two regular-season games would secure a home playoff game in Vancouver.

Rourke drives six-touchdown attack

Nathan Rourke completed 25 of 31 passes for 360 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He threw touchdown passes to Keon Hatcher Sr., Stanley Berryhill III and Jevon Cottoy.

Zander Horvath added two rushing touchdowns. James Butler scored once and finished with 141 yards from scrimmage. The Lions scored six touchdowns after failing to reach the end zone in their previous win over Toronto.

  • Rourke: 25 completions on 31 attempts, 360 yards and three touchdowns
  • Horvath: two rushing touchdowns
  • Butler: 141 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown
  • B.C.: four forced turnovers, including two strip sacks, a fumble recovery and a fourth-quarter interception

Defence seals the result

Ottawa remained within three points in the third quarter. B.C. then pulled away late, using four takeaways to close out the win.

The result moved the Lions to 10-6 and left them four points ahead of Saskatchewan and Calgary for second place in the West Division, according to the Lions’ game report. A win in either of B.C.’s final two regular-season games would secure home-field advantage for its opening playoff game.

October brings a different kind of pressure

The Lions lost five straight games during the season’s opening six weeks. That left little margin for error. Their current run has changed the question from whether they would reach the postseason to where they will begin it.

B.C. visits the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, October 17. Calgary is also fighting for a playoff place, making the game a direct test of both postseason qualification and home-field positioning.

The Lions’ turnaround is now complete in one respect. They are back in the playoffs for a fifth straight season. The next two games will determine whether that run begins at BC Place.

Source: BC Lions game recap.