The CFL playoff field is now set after 21 gruelling weeks of regular-season play, setting up three straight weeks of incredible football in November.
It all gets started this Saturday with the Division Semi-Finals when the Ottawa Redblacks visit the Toronto Argonauts. Following that East Division tilt, the BC Lions will visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The victor of the Ottawa-Toronto game will move on to play the Alouettes in Montreal in the Eastern Final next weekend, while the winner of BC-Saskatchewan will travel to Winnipeg to play the Blue Bombers in the Western Final.
Let’s take a look at the latest Grey Cup outright odds now that the playoff field is set:
| Team | Outright odds |
| Montreal Alouettes | +160 |
| Winnipeg Blue Bombers | +200 |
| Toronto Argonauts | +500 |
| Saskatchewan Roughriders | +650 |
| BC Lions | +1200 |
| Ottawa Redblacks | +2000 |
Ottawa Redblacks @ Toronto Argonauts – Nov. 2
Best moneyline odds: Argonauts -263 @ Betway, Redblacks +255 @ bet365
Best spread odds: Argonauts -6 (-110) @ Sports Interaction, Redblacks +6.5 (-115) @ Betway
Best over/under odds: Over 51.5 points (-110) @ Betway, Under 52.5 (-110) @ Sports Interaction
These two teams split their season series, with the home team prevailing and covering the spread in each game. The teams obliterated the low-50s totals in those games, combining to score a whopping 147 points across the two contests.
Toronto enters the playoffs on a high note, snatching wins in three of its last four games to claim home-field advantage in this contest. The Argos’ only loss during that stretch was in a meaningless game to Edmonton in the final week of the regular season, but they still managed to cover the spread for the fourth consecutive game.
Ottawa, meanwhile, has backed its way into the playoffs for the first time in six years as losers of five of its last six regular-season games.
These teams play contrasting styles, as Toronto is one of the top rushing teams in the league while Ottawa boasts one of the best passing attacks. Both teams have mediocre defences and the ability to get after the quarterback, as Toronto led the league with 48 sacks and Ottawa finished second with 40.
Best bet: Ottawa exploded for 25 points in the final quarter of the last meeting between these teams in Week 20 at BMO Field to give the Argos a scare in what looked like a lopsided game in favour of Toronto entering the fourth quarter. That should give the Redblacks some confidence and momentum entering this playoff matchup on the same field. I think the Argos win this game outright, but it should be a one-score game. Shop around throughout the week and try to grab the Redblacks at the key number of +7 if the line moves to give you some protection. One sportsbook had Ottawa as long as +8.5 for a brief period of time on early Wednesday morning before the line moved back to +6.
BC Lions @ Saskatchewan Roughriders – Nov. 2
Best moneyline odds: Roughriders -167 @ Betway, Lions +155 @ bet365
Best spread odds: Roughriders -3 (-112) @ Pinnacle, Lions +4 (-118) @ TonyBet
Best over/under odds: Over 50.5 points (-110) @ Sports Interaction, Under 51.5 (-125) @ BetVictor
These teams split their regular-season series at one game apiece, with the home team winning and covering the spread in each contest. However, the Roughriders sent a serious message with a lopsided 39-8 beatdown of the Lions in Week 19. BC took the first meeting by a score of 35-20 back in Week 6 with Vernon Adams Jr. guiding the offence.
Saskatchewan’s defence has been stout this year, holding the opposition to 24.1 points per game (third-best in the CFL) and a league-best 80.3 yards on the ground per game. The Riders also led the CFL in the takeaway/giveaway department during the regular season with a +26 mark, mostly because of the 24 interceptions generated by the defence.
The Lions are hoping the switch back to Vernon Adams Jr. at quarterback will revive their offence to its potent early-season levels. Adams Jr. was under centre for BC’s Week 20 victory over Montreal and he threw for 385 yards and two touchdowns while being intercepted twice. The mid-season acquisition of Nathan Rourke has been a failed experiment to this point, but don’t be surprised if the Lions turn to him if Adams Jr. struggles early in this one.
Best bet: Lions +4 (-118 @ TonyBet). Adams Jr. will be playing with a chip on his shoulder now that he’s won back his starting job and his mobility will test Saskatchewan’s tenacious defence. BC might not win this one outright, but it should be a three-point game either way.
