Quarterback injuries loom over Week 14 as surging B.C. challenges Montreal and Winnipeg visits Saskatchewan
Labour Day Weekend has always been a high-water mark during the professional football season for me, and that includes the NFL. The traditional Labour Day CFL game between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the hated Toronto Argonauts at old Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton’s east end was always a must-attend in my youth.
Week 14 starts tomorrow in Montreal with the Alouettes (9-2) hosting the red-hot B.C. Lions (6-5), at 7:30 p.m. EST. Sunday sees the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-5) travel to Saskatchewan to play the Roughriders (7-4) at 7 p.m. EST.
And on Labour Day, as per tradition, the Argos (5-6) play the Ticats (4-8) in Hamilton at 2:30 p.m. EST, followed by the Edmonton Eskimos (8-3) in Calgary to take on the Stampeders (5-6) at 6 p.m. EST.
In CFL betting at Betway this morning, the Alouettes are -170 on the moneyline, with the Lions at +150. Montreal is a 3.5-point favourite at +100, while B.C. is +3.5 at -120. The total is 60.5, with the over at -115 and the under at -105.
The Roughriders are -225 on the moneyline, with the Bombers at +185. Saskatchewan is a 4.5-point favourite at -115, while Winnipeg is +4.5 at -105. The total is 57.5, with the over at -105 and the under at -115.
The Argos are -200 on the moneyline, with the Ticats at +165. Toronto is a 3.5-point favourite at -115, while Hamilton is +3.5 at -105. The total is 58.5, with the over and under at -110.
The Elks are -125 on the moneyline, with the Stampeders at +105. Edmonton is a 1.5-point favourite at -105, while Calgary is +1.5 at -115. The total is 58.5, with the over and under at -110.
Clearly, the sportsbook sees the Lions as a threat against the Als, with the +3.5 spread suggesting they expect the Lions to keep the game within a field goal. The Lions have been rolling since quarterback Nathan Rourke returned from injury. In just nine games, he already sits sixth in the CFL in passing – 2,784 yards, with 13 TDs.
Winnipeg looks dangerous again, and Montreal QB Davis Alexander’s health (he briefly left last weekend’s game against Winnipeg with a lower-body problem) could impact the line as we get closer to kickoff.
Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who missed last weekend’s 28-23 win over Hamilton with a head injury, is the most important injury development to monitor for the Edmonton game.
The Argos are the clear favourites to go into Steeltown and punch out a win, with -3.5 at -115 showing the market considers Toronto marginally more likely to cover.
I like the Elks at -1.5 versus Calgary (-105), since they are rested after a week off and have the CFL’s stingiest defence, allowing 279 points in 11 games; plus, they are more stable at QB with the Adams Jr. situation.
And call me a home-team lover, but Hamilton at +3.5 (-105) gives me the shade I need against a Toronto team that’s sloppy poppy, explosive yet unreliable (QB leads the league with 17 interceptions), plus they are 3-6 away from home.
I also don’t see an offence blowout in Montreal, so I’m leaning Under 60.5 (-105) in that one, especially factoring in Alexander’s health status. Both teams have solid defences – B.C. is second in the CFL with 291 points allowed, while Montreal is fourth with 307.
