Montreal looks dominant, Saskatchewan offers contrarian value, and Calgary-Hamilton could deliver the weekend's highest score
CFL bettors are likely still reeling from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ blowout 52-30 loss to the Calgary Stampeders last Friday, a game where the Bombers were the betting favorites going in.
Week 9 of the CFL season gets going tonight, with those same Bombers hosting the B.C. Lions. The Mike O’Shea-coached team showed defensive leaks last game, allowing explosive plays, and needs a bounce-back game tonight.
The Montreal Alouettes continue to show why they’re at the top of the pack this season, handling the Hamilton Tiger Cats at home last Sunday, 31-18.
The Edmonton Elks squeaked by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 36-34, and remain the biggest surprise of the season. They’re legitimate Grey Cup favourites.
In CFL betting at Betway:
B.C. Lions (1-5) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-3), tonight, 8:30 p.m. EST, Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg. At Betway, the Bombers are -334 on the Moneyline, the Lions +250. The Spread is Bombers -7.5 (-110) and the Lions +7.5 (-110). The Total is 53.5 (Over is -110, Under is -110).
The Lions are struggling offensively, and the Bombers are back home. They’ll be motivated after being embarrassed last week. That was the first time since 2015 they gave up 50 points at home.
B.C. is going to start Kaidon Salter at quarterback tonight, for the first time. Salter gave them a bit of a spark last week in the Lions’ game against the Toronto Argonauts (a 26-12 loss). He replaced starter Chase Brice with six minutes left and went 9-for-15 for 121 yards.
Will B.C. be able to generate any explosive plays on offence to overwhelm the Bombers’ defence? Can Winnipeg establish the run? The Bombers are starting Dru Brown at quarterback again tonight, his fourth start in a row, despite giving up four interceptions last week.
I am leaning Winnipeg -7.5 in this one.
Montreal Alouettes (6-1) at Ottawa RedBlacks (0-6), tomorrow, 7:30 p.m. EST, The Stadium at TD Place, Ottawa. At Betway, the Alouettes are big -300 Moneyline favourites, the RedBlacks +240. The Spread is Montreal -6.5 (-115), and Ottawa +6.5 (-105). The Total is 60.5 (Over -115, Under -105).
Pretty straightforward call – the Alouettes are the CFL’s most complete team this year.
Ottawa has been competitive in several games but has hurt itself with turnovers, costly penalties, and missed assignments. They’ve been hit by injuries, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
They also don’t run the ball very well, last in the CFL with 379 yards (63.2 yards per game), meaning teams can sit on the passing attack.
I am leaning Montreal -6.5 in this one.
Calgary Stampeders (3-4) at Hamilton Tiger Cats (3-4), Saturday, 3 p.m. EST, Hamilton Stadium, Hamilton. At Betway, the Stampeders are -200 Moneyline favourites, the Tiger Cats +175. The Spread is Calgary -4.5 (-105), and Hamilton +4.5 (-115). The Total is 60.5 (Over -105, Under -115).
The Tiger Cats have been a pleasant surprise this season, especially after quarterback Bo Mitchell went down with an ankle injury earlier in the year. Instead of panicking, they balanced their offence more around the run.
Calgary is coming off that dominating win over the Bombers. The Stampeders have an elite offence, leading the CFL in rushing yards (840 yards). They’re the highest-scoring team in the league, averaging 39.7 points per game.
This could easily turn into the highest-scoring game of the week. Calgary clears high totals regularly.
I don’t like the value on that Moneyline, so I am going to take the Over 60.5 (-105).
Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-2) at Edmonton Elks (6-1), Saturday, 7 p.m. EST, Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton. At Betway, the Roughriders are -125 Moneyline favourites, the Elks +105. The Spread is Saskatchewan -1.5 (-105), and Edmonton +1.5 (-115). The Total is 59.5 (Over -110, Under -110)
Calgary versus Hamilton is the tougher game to handicap. Saskatchewan versus Edmonton should be the game of the week from an entertaining perspective.
The Roughriders are looking for revenge after last week’s upset loss at home. Public bettors might pile onto the Elks since they’re 6-1, but I think Saskatchewan is a nice contrarian play with that revenge factor.
The previous meeting was decided late, and the Riders have solid ATS form as underdogs, with a strong offence capable of matching scores (third in the CFL in points scored, at 204, averaging 34.0 yards per game, and 2,537 yards in net offence, third in the league).
I am leaning Saskatchewan ATS.
