Who will be crowned champions at the 113th Grey Cup?

Who will be crowned champions at the 113th Grey Cup?

The road to the 113th Grey Cup is never straightforward. Every season in the Canadian Football League delivers its twists — breakout stars, mid-season slumps, quarterback controversies and late playoff surges. By the time November arrives, narratives have shifted and momentum often matters just as much as talent.

So who will be crowned champions this time around? The answer lies in three key areas: quarterback play, defensive resilience and postseason composure.

Quarterbacks decide championships

In the CFL, elite quarterbacking remains the clearest path to a Grey Cup parade. Teams with experienced signal-callers who limit turnovers and thrive under pressure historically give themselves the best chance.

Clubs like the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have built recent success around stability at quarterback and a system that maximises efficiency. Meanwhile, perennial contenders such as the Toronto Argonauts and the Montreal Alouettesunderstand how critical it is to peak at the right time behind centre.

If a rising star catches fire late in the season, however, the balance of power can shift quickly.

Defence wins tight games

The Grey Cup is often a one-possession contest. When margins are thin, red-zone stops, disciplined coverage and situational awareness separate champions from runners-up.

Teams built on physical defensive fronts — the kind that can disrupt passing lanes and collapse pockets — tend to travel well in the playoffs. Add a secondary capable of forcing turnovers, and you have a formula that consistently reaches the final weekend.

Momentum and belief

Perhaps the most underrated ingredient is timing. The CFL postseason rewards teams that are healthy, confident and unified. A squad that finds rhythm in October can ride that wave straight through the division final and into the Grey Cup spotlight.

The championship stage also demands composure. Veterans who have “been there before” often provide the calming presence required when the stakes are highest.

The prediction factor

At this stage, naming a definitive champion would be premature. Injuries, trades and tactical adjustments will reshape the landscape in the months ahead. But history suggests that the eventual winners will check three boxes:

• Elite or in-form quarterback play

• A defence capable of closing games

• Momentum entering the playoffs

Who will be crowned champions at the 113th Grey Cup? The team that masters all three when it matters most.

And in the CFL, that answer often isn’t clear until the final whistle blows.