Eskimos down Stampeders 45-31, led by Mike Reilly and the superb offence

The Edmonton Eskimos drew plaudits mostly for their defence this season, but their offence was almost as good in many categories, and it was the key element in their 45-31 win over the Calgary Stampeders in Sunday's West Final. Quarterback Mike Reilly's return to the lineup from injury in September helped Edmonton get the best of Calgary for the first time in 13 matches, and Reilly was vital to the Eskimos' eight-game winning streak to end the year with a 14-4 record and host the West Final. He came up big again Sunday, throwing for 370 yards and three touchdowns and giving Edmonton their first Grey Cup appearance since 2005.

Reilly has played quite well over the past few years, but he's faced some struggles staying on the field, and he hasn't always been the most efficient. On Sunday, he addressed both of those issues. It wasn't just the yardage or TD total that was impressive, it was the command he displayed; he completed 31 of 39 passes (79.5 per cent) with three touchdowns and no interceptions, and several of those were on dazzling darts. Reilly did a lot on the ground, too, using his legs to escape pressure and also rushing seven times for 30 yards and two touchdowns. He was the essential piece for the Eskimos Sunday, and he delivered a showing that was one of the best quarterbacking performances we saw all year.

This was about more than Reilly, of course. His receivers made great plays, with Derel Walker catching 11 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown, Kenny Stafford hauling in three for 76 and a TD, and Adarius Bowman adding six receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown. The offensive line was good all day, often giving Reilly a good amount of space to work with, and running back Akeem Shavers had some important runs, collecting 40 rushing yards overall on nine carries. The Eskimos were also good in short-yardage, with QB Jordan Lynch converting on a fake field goal early and the team picking up an essential third-and-one gamble late. Moreover, the defence played generally well too, beating the Stampeders' inexperienced line and putting Calgary QB Bo Levi Mitchell under pressure frequently. The defence let their foot off the gas a bit in the fourth quarter, allowing 16 late Calgary points that made this closer than it should have been (which could have been 24 if not for a hands-to-the-face penalty that nullified another TD), but they were pretty good overall as well. (They also had at least two touchdowns taken away by poor officiating.)

Still, this was Reilly's day and Reilly's game. He's led Edmonton to their first Grey Cup appearance post-Ricky Ray, and the performance he gave Sunday was right up there with some of the best we've seen from Ray and other Eskimo legends over the years. The East Division champion Redblacks will pose a stiff test, but Calgary's defence was good too, and Reilly methodically took it apart Sunday. If he can keep this momentum going and perform well next week, he may well be remembered with some of Edmonton's very best.