The Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League have the longest play-off streak in North American pro sports - the last time they missed the playoffs was in 1971 - 34 straight play-off appearences.
But now they’re sitting in the basement of the CFL West, with a 4-9 record. They’ve not won on the road yet this year. And they just had the dubious distinction of losing a home and away tandem to the Hamilton Ti-Cats, previously the worst team in the CFL, making the Esks and Ti-Cats tied for that dubious distinction. The Edmonton fans booed them off the field on Friday at the end of their second loss to the Ti-Cats. The media has been increasingly doubtful about their chances: Reality is setting in for the Esks
The Esks two games back of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who are currently in third place, but who today pulled a win out of the hat against the BC Lions, who had been the top team in the CFL.
The Esks play the Riders at Regina next week - could be the decisive game for their play-off hopes.
So, can the Esks pull it off and somehow limp into the playoffs?