The B.C. Lions presently have what the Ottawa Redblacks covet -- the CFL's final playoff spot.

The teams meet Friday night in a crucial matchup in Ottawa, where B.C. (5-6) can all but end the Redblacks' chances of repeating last year's playoff berth.

Ottawa (3-8) was hoping to contend for the East title but has been its own worst enemy, often coloring its efforts with costly penalties and crucial mental mistakes. A 30-20 home loss to Edmonton on Aug. 22 saw it trail 20-7 at halftime.

In the last three games, the Redblacks have fallen behind by a combined 65-29 at the break.

"We can't allow ourselves to get down the number of points we have and it's three weeks in a row," coach Bob Dyce said. "Every time you do that, it gets tougher and tougher to come back. It's hard to play a perfect

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