Worst-ever teams to make/win the Grey Cup?

[74_75_78_79_]

Of course with the CFL always allowing most teams to make the playoffs each year, it allows the possibility of a not just below-500 team, but a well-below such team, to actually “catch fire” and either make the GC or actually win it!

To the CFL knowers in here, who would you say were the weaker teams to either appear in or even win the Grey Cup?

Thanks in-advance and, though this is a pro football site, an extra thanks if you can throw such participants or winners of the Vanier Cup as well.

Yes, college Canadian ball allowing an even greater % of teams to make the National tourney. Practically every team; why even have a regular season? I said it many times…less than half get in and I may actually follow BOTH!

[Reaser]

Ottawa won their first Grey Cup as the REDBLACKS in 2016 with a losing record. They seemed better than their record during the season to me, though.

Teams with losing records won in back-to-back years in 2000 & 2001, those teams didn't seem better than their records despite eventually winning the Grey Cup.

Still say nothing can surpass the Washington Valor in Arena Football in 2018 -- went 2-10, lost their first playoff game, won the Arena Bowl.

[CSKreager]

1981 Ottawa Rough Riders, who made the Grey Cup despite a 5-11 record

But the East was so bad they finished 2nd (MTL was 3-13, TOR 2-12)

[JohnH19]

Then the 5-11 Rough Riders almost pulled off the upset of the century when they lost the Grey Cup 26-23 to 14-1-1 Edmonton. Ottawa led 20-1 at halftime and the Eskimos won it on a FG with three seconds left.

In 2001, the 8-10 Calgary Stampeders beat the 14-4 Winnipeg Blue Bombers 27-19. I wish I could forget that one.

[Brian wolf]

What was the spread on that Ottawa-Edmonton game? Sounds like the fixwasin ...

[Retro Rider]

Not much was expected from the Montreal Alouettes in 1970. The Als had posted a combined record of 7-31-4 over the previous three seasons. Following a third place finish, the Alouettes entered the 1970 Eastern Conference Playoffs with a record of 7-6-1. They had recorded just one win in their final six games. Montreal finished as the lowest scoring team in the East but did feature a powerful 1-2 punch at running back with fullback Dennis Duncan and future Washington Redskin Moses Denson (Denson averaged 7.1 yards per carry in 1970).

Montreal did have some talent on offense with future Hall of Famer's Terry Evanshen at wide receiver, Peter Dalla Riva at tight end and Ed George at tackle. They were led by QB Sonny Wade who ranked 6th in the CFL in passing with a 52.1 passer rating (1970 was not a great year statistically for CFL QB's). Wade had a whopping 9.6% interception percentage rate with 31 picks and 14 TD passes. During the years 1969-1972 Wade threw 43 TD passes and 114 interceptions (9.3 INT. %)!

Montreal's real strength was on defense and that unit would shine during the 1970 post season. Their defensive secondary was particularly strong with the likes of future Hall of Famer Gene Gaines, Al Phaneuf (9 INT's), Richie Davis (6 INT's - missed post season due to injury) and Co-Captain Larry Fairholm. The Alouettes featured Eastern All-Star's Charlie Collins and Mike Widger at linebacker along with future great Mark Kosmos. Steve Smear earned CFL All-Star recognition at defensive end.

Prior to the start of the Eastern Conference Semi-Final, first year head coach Sam Etcheverry suspended star running back Duncan and WR Bob McCarthy for the remainder of the season after they had violated team rules for a second time. Both men had been out on the town drinking on the night before the Als' regular season finale against Hamilton. The game ended in an 18-18 tie and that result cost Montreal home field advantage in the East Semi-Final.

Montreal disposed of Toronto in the ESF by a score of 16-7, then eliminated the Hamilton Tiger Cats in the two game East Final by scores of 32-22 and 11-4.

The 1970 Grey Cup (aka Sod Bowl) was played on a wet field at CNE Stadium in Toronto. During the game huge chunks of turf came loose from the natural grass surface (Calgary head coach Jim Duncan called the playing field a disgrace). The Alouettes defense stymied the Calgary Stampeders offense limiting them to just 10 points. When it was over the Alouettes had won 23-10. QB Sonny Wade was named Player of the Game going 16/34 for 159 yards with 3 INT's & 1 TD pass. Halfback Moses Denson threw a 10 yard TD pass on a play where he was nearly tackled for a loss and Bruce Van Ness did a credible job filling in for the suspended Dennis Duncan. It was Montreal's first championship since Frank Filchock led them to the title in 1949.

The remainder of the Sam Etcheverry coaching era was not as successful. Following their triumphant 1970 season, the Alouettes went back to their losing ways in 1971 & 1972, finishing with records of 6-8 and 4-10 respectively. Etcheverry was replaced by Marv Levy in 1973.

Here's a 2022 list of the five weakest teams that won the Grey Cup over a 35 year period:
https://3downnation.com/2022/12/27/stol ... -35-years/

[Retro Rider]

What was the spread on that Ottawa-Edmonton game? Sounds like the fixwasin ...

Edmonton was a 22 1/2 point favorite. This is a pretty good recap as told by members of that 1981 Ottawa club:

The Loss
https://youtu.be/nQ-tw8Yw7bI?si=KX546895xhbPvbdL

[JohnH19]

What was the spread on that Ottawa-Edmonton game? Sounds like the fixwasin ...

The point spread was 22.5.

J.C. Watts had a good first half for Ottawa.

[Brian wolf]

Gabriel got screwed on that offsetting penalty for Ottawa.

[Bryan]

What was the spread on that Ottawa-Edmonton game? Sounds like the fixwasin ...

Edmonton was a 22 1/2 point favorite. This is a pretty good recap as told by members of that 1981 Ottawa club:

The Loss
https://youtu.be/nQ-tw8Yw7bI?si=KX546895xhbPvbdL

That was a good watch. Thanks for sharing.