CFL Week 14 Odds, Betting Preview: Home Is Where The Lines Are

Depending on the team, there are either six or seven games to go in the CFL season. This time of year is crunch time for those looking to make a late push toward a playoff position. It also gives us a clear indication of who will be the top contenders come Grey Cup time.

The Week 14 slate features a couple of solid games and a few battles of also-rans. Let’s get into the schedule with a deeper look at each matchup!

Here’s a look at the latest CFL Grey Cup outright odds, followed by our bet365 Week 13 betting preview:

Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ Ottawa Redblacks (-4.0, 47.5 o/u)

About the Tiger-Cats (4-7 SU, 4-7 ATS, 4-7 o/u): Though the season has been anything but a success, Hamilton has owned the Redblacks this year. When these two teams meet, the scores have been low, hitting the under each time.

James Butler is third in the CFL in rushing right now with 701 yards, thanks largely to a pair of 110+ yard games against BC and Edmonton. The Tiger-Cats will need a strong rushing attack to keep the Redblacks down once again.

About the Redblacks (3-8 SU, 4-7 ATS, 6-5 o/u): It has been a rough go for the Redblacks this year, who had the week off during Labour Day weekend. Given the fact that they lost five in a row before the break, it was desperately needed.

The bad news is they host a Hamilton team they’ve already lost to twice. Ottawa is 0-5 against the division, not a good sign if they hope to get back into the playoff chase. Dustin Crum continues to have the most up-and-down season in the league. He went 17/26 for 172 yards and no touchdowns in the 30-20 loss to Edmonton.

Betting trends:

• Ottawa has lost five in a row, failing to cover the spread in four of them while also hitting the over in their last four games.
• Hamilton has been equally cold, losing four of six while coming under their totals in five of their last six games.

Pick: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (+4.0)

Montreal Alouettes @ Toronto Argonauts (-10.5, 52.5 o/u)

About the Alouettes (6-5 SU, 5-6 ATS, 7-4 o/u): Montreal is trending in the wrong direction after winning four straight, losing back-to-back games against BC and Winnipeg. The Alouettes have been one of the streakiest teams in the league this year so far.

Quarterback Cody Fajardo has been part of the problem. Sure, he’s fifth in the CFL with 2,305 passing yards but he has just 7 touchdown passes to 8 interceptions. When he’s on, Montreal is very good. When he’s not, it’s an uphill battle.

About the Argonauts (9-1 SU, 8-2 ATS, 6-4 o/u): Aside from a Week 9 loss to Calgary, it has been smooth sailing for the Argos. The offense has been dominant, scoring at least 31 points in every game this season aside from the loss.

The Argos have a balanced attack as well. Chad Kelly is fourth in passing yards (2,578) and third in touchdowns (18). Running back A.J. Ouellette is second in the league in rushing yards (710). With that kind of balance, defenses haven’t been able to keep up all year long.

Betting trends:

• The under is 6-1 in the past seven meetings.
• The under is 5-0 in the past five meetings between the teams in Montreal.

Pick: Montreal Alouettes (+10.5)

Saskatchewan Roughriders @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-8.5, 48.0 o/u)

About the Roughriders (6-5 SU, 5-5-1 ATS, 7-4 o/u): Don’t look now, but the Roughriders are hot at the moment. They’ve won three in a row, including a thrilling overtime win against the Blue Bombers in Week 13. The win puts them in striking distance of BC in the West, just a pair of games back.

The Roughriders have a strong passing attack thanks to receivers Tevin Jones (695 yards) and Shawn Bane (689 yards) placing in the top 10, with Samuel Emilus (630 yards) just on the outside. The Bombers had their hands full last week and will again this week.

About the Blue Bombers (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS, 7-5 o/u): The Bombers are second of the favourites to win the Grey Cup this year but just had their first slipup in six games, a thrilling overtime loss to the Roughriders last week. The Blue Bomber defense has been dominant this season, giving up 30 points for the first time since a Week 6 loss against the Redblacks (31-28, also overtime).

Quarterback Zach Collaros has had an outstanding season so far. He is currently third in the league with 2,817 yards and leads with 22 touchdowns. The 10 interceptions – third in the league – are concerning but he’s had far more good than bad.

Betting trends:

• Second on the Grey Cup odds list, the Blue Bombers have been an over team of late, hitting the mark in five of their last seven games (covering just twice in that span).
• Like the Bombers, the Roughriders have also been an over machine of late, hitting their last four (three of which have been wins).
• Roughriders beat the Blue Bombers 32-30 on September 3rd in overtime.

Pick: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-8.5)

Calgary Stampeders @ Edmonton Elks (-2.0, 48.5 o/u)

About the Stampeders (4-8 SU, 6-6 ATS, 5-6-1 o/u): All is far from well in Calgary, where a late flurry was needed to beat the Elks 35-31 a week ago. It was needed to prevent the Stampeders from going completely into the abyss, having lost five of their previous six games.

Despite the struggles to walk away with a victory, quarterback Jake Meier has had himself a season. He leads the CFL in passing yards with 3,100 but also leads in interceptions with 13. His up-and-down nature underscores the failures of the Stampeders this season.

About the Elks (2-10 SU, 5-7 ATS, 5-7 o/u): The Elks are the worst team in the CFL. If there is anything that underscores the point, it is the fact that they snapped a 22-game home losing streak only recently by beating the Redblacks.

Running back Kevin Brown has been a bright spot, currently fourth in the league with 686 rushing yards. He has had 89 yards or better in three of his last four contests, with his low coming ironically enough in the game where the home losing streak was snapped.

Betting trends:

• Despite being 2-10, the Elks have at least been fun to watch, hitting the over in three of their last four games.
• Though the Stampeders are just 4-8 on the year, they have covered the spread in four of their last five games despite just winning twice outright.

Pick: Calgary Stampeders (+1.5)