Playoff football has arrived, and the intensity is about to skyrocket.

With the stakes rising and elimination games afoot, key elements in a winning recipe mean that much more.

Here are three things that will decide who moves on in both the Eastern and Western Semi-Finals.

Weekly Predictor: Who wins the Division Semi-Finals?

Who has the edge in the Western Semi-Final?

Who has the edge in the Eastern Semi-Final?

3 PFF stats that stand out from Week 21

6 stats that could loom large in the Division Semi-Finals

WESTERN SEMI-FINAL | SASKATCHEWAN AT BC

THE MEN IN THE MIDDLE

This game features a tremendous match-up of imposing middle linebackers, each of which can take over the mood of a game with a little domination.

BC’s Darnell Sankey and Saskatchewan’s Jameer Thurman are each of their team’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award winners and for very good reasons.

Sankey was best in the CFL in total defensive plays with 136, including 114 tackles and an incredible 12 pass knockdowns.

Thurman was not far behind, tied for fourth with 112 total defensive plays, including 101 tackles, three sacks and five tackles for loss.

If one of these men has a super-charged day, he is capable of almost singlehandedly swinging the result.

RECEIVERS BALLING OUT

Each of these teams has a very formidable air........

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