The Canadian Football League (CFL) is a long season, and the 2022 standings will take some twists and turns during that timeframe. With nine teams playing 18 games each, there is plenty of time for things to change and for teams to rally. Additionally, with six of the nine teams able to make the playoffs, teams can remain in the hunt until the very end of the year. Below you will find the standings for the 2022 CFL season and how the playoff picture stands if the season were to end today.
CFL standings
*Standings based on alphabetical order for teams who have yet to play a game.
East Division
1. Toronto Argonauts (6-5)
2. Montreal Alouettes (4-7)
3. Ottawa Redblacks (3-8)
4. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-9)
West Division
1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (11-1)
2. BC Lions (8-2)
3. Calgary Stampeders (7-4)
4. Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-6)
5. Edmonton Elks (3-9)
2022 CFL playoff picture
The CFL playoff situation is somewhat interesting with six of the nine teams making the playoffs. The playoffs take place over three rounds. The first round is the Division Semi-Finals, leading into the Division Finals, and then the Grey Cup game at the conclusion.
Three teams from each division can make the playoffs, with the top team in the division having a bye to the Division Finals. The second-placed team then hosts the third-placed team in the semi-final. However, there is an exception to that, referred to as the cross-over rule. If the fourth-place team in either division of the 2022 CFL standings has a better record than the third-placed team in the opposite division, then that team will enter the opposing divisions’ playoffs as the visiting team in the Division Semi-Finals.
The crossover rule last came into play in 2019. While Toronto finished third in the East Division, they won just four of their 18 games. That opened the door for Edmonton, who were 8-10 on the season and fourth in the West Division, to crossover into the East Division playoffs. Edmonton would go on to beat Montreal in the East Semi-Finals, before losing to Hamilton in the finals.
If the 2022 CFL season was to end today with the current standings, the shape of the playoffs would be:
*Playoff picture below is an example based on alphabetical order until teams have played games.
East Division
Division Semi-Finals
Roughriders (c/o) at Alouettes
Division Finals
SF winner at Argonauts
West Division
Division Semi-Finals
Stampeders at Lions
Division Finals
SF winner at Blue Bombers
