You know, it’s not too often we’re at a loss for words when talking about the CFL, but damn, this feels like one of those rare times. Don’t get us wrong, Week 18 was more lit than a pop-up Blue Rodeo show at a random pub in Saskatoon. We went 2-1 and basically predicted everything down to a tee, even how we would lose in the Elks-Roughriders game. What flicks our Bics, though, is one week this league can be so predictable, and the following week, something totally random happens that makes us want to reexamine how we view specific teams.
In Week 19, we THINK we know what will happen, but as it goes for gambling on anything: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED (No, we didn’t just steal Julie Chen Moonves’ catchphrase).
To kick off the week, we get a potential Grey Cup preview between the Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Although we anticipate that both teams won’t put all their cards on the table, we expect this game to be a good one and set the tone for the weekend.
No one really cares about the Els-Stampeders game #SorryNotSorry, especially with a SOLID lineup of college football action. However, the game that caps off Saturday should be fun. Yup, the BC Lions do battle with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The contest should feature a bit of everything. Big passes, clutch defensive stops, and breathtaking special teams plays. Who wins? That’s a tough one, but our powers of intuitiveness are giving us some thoughts.
Plus, we’ve got some Thanksgiving Day football action. As an FYI to our American readers: Yes, we Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving a month early. Deal with it.
Before we give you our picks for this ever-so-exciting week of football action, take a peek at the latest CFL Grey Cup outright odds:
| Team | bet365 | Bet99 | NorthStar Bets |
| Montreal Alouettes | +190 | +165 | +175 |
| Winnipeg Blue Bombers | +210 | +200 | +200 |
| BC Lions | +450 | +465 | +450 |
| Saskatchewan Roughriders | +600 | +715 | +1100 |
| Toronto Argonauts | +750 | +740 | +1200 |
| Ottawa Redblacks | +850 | +1200 | +1600 |
| Hamilton Tiger-Cats | +3500 | +4000 | +5000 |
| Edmonton Elks | ELIMINATED | ELIMINATED | ELIMINATED |
| Calgary Stampeders | ELIMINATED | ELIMINATED | ELIMINATED |
Toronto Argonauts @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers – October 11
Best moneyline odds: Argonauts +171 @ Pinnacle, Blue Bombers -180 @ Betway
Best spread odds: Argonauts +4 (-110 @ TonyBet), Blue Bombers -3.5 (-108 @ Pinnacle)
Best over/under odds: Over 49.5 points (-110 @ NorthStar Bets), Under 50 points (-105 @ Pinnacle)
Y’know, in the Blink 182 song “Always,” where it goes: I’ve been here before a few times / And I’m quite aware we’re dying?
Our love for the Toronto Argonauts knows no boundaries. We picked them to win the Grey Cup. We’ve backed them countless times throughout the season, but lately, we’ve had difficulty trusting them. Yup, that’s even when we picked the Argos in previous betting previews. The offence and defence have been shaky. Not to mention, there have been some questionable playcalling decisions.
That said, we’re trying super hard to rekindle our admiration for the Argonauts. If there was ever a spot to win us back fully, it’s this week.
The Blue Bombers are one of the hottest teams in the CFL. They’ve beaten highly-regarded squads decisively. Everyone in the betting public LOVES Winnipeg. As such, some books have already had to move their lines from -3 to -4. That says something because most books have even increased their limits.
Some of our sharp sources have told CSB that they plan on HAMMERING the Argos’ spread, especially if it makes it to +4.5. One source even said that the “Argonauts are about to take the Blue Bombers to POUNDTOWN! Lock it in!”
Although we like Toronto this week, we’re probably not THAT confident. Nevertheless, this is a perfect spot to take the highbrow side and let the chips fall where they will.
Pick: Give us the Argonauts’ +4 (-110 @ TonyBet) point spread.
Bet on Argonauts vs. Blue Bombers
Edmonton Elks @ Calgary Stampeders – October 12
Best moneyline odds: Elks +107 @ Pinnacle, Stampeders -110 @ BetRivers
Best spread odds: Elks +1.5 (-110 @ Pinnacle), Stampeders -0.5 (-120 @ Bet99)
Best over/under odds: Over 51.5 points (-108 @ Pinnacle), Under 51.5 points (-106 @ Proline+)
Bruh, here’s the game no one cares about. The Elks made it look interesting for a bit there but succumbed to their fate. The Stampeders have been more underwhelming than your last Tinder date, who may or may not have catfished you.
As disappointing as these teams may be, we expect these lads to want to ball out and at least make this game enjoyable for the 100 bettors who decided to watch. As we’ve said all season long, we don’t really like either team’s defence, so there’s a good chance things might be loose.
If so, both offences can score points. Edmonton is probably more capable of scoring serious points. However, Calgary is due for a game in which they pile up touchdowns.
Both these teams are playing with nothing to lose, so let the fireworks show commence!
Pick: Give us the OVER 51.5 points (-108 @ Pinnacle).
BC Lions @ Saskatchewan Roughriders – October 12
Best moneyline odds: Lions -104 @ Pinnacle, Roughriders -110 @ NorthStar Bets
Best spread odds: Lions -1 (+100 @ Sports Interaction), Roughriders +1.5 (-130 @ Betway)
Best over/under odds: Over 50.5 points (-108 @ Pinnacle), Under 50.5 points (-103 @ Proline+)
Alright, we’ve reached the game that actually matters. Honestly, this game has the chance to be a barn burner. Both these teams have something to prove, and this is a great week to do it.
The Roughriders have been a team that’s been both loved and hated by the public. They couldn’t do anything right for lord knows how long. All of the sudden, they’re the darlings of the league. Heck, some analysts have been saying that Sasky is a dark horse team to win the Grey Cup.
On the other hand, ever since Nathan Rourke came back to BC, the Lions have been front-page news. Hell, they’ve become the Dallas Cowboys of the CFL. It’s flipping crazy how quickly people will jump on a team’s bandwagon. Unfortunately for those bandwagoners, their support has been met with mixed results and piss-poor performances.
Now, all those who jump on and off bandwagons are at a crossroads this week. Sasky is “on fire” in their eyes. BC hasn’t looked too hot, even in their win over Calgary last week. If it weren’t for the Lions’ defence making some clutch plays, BC probably wouldn’t cover their -7.5 spread.
Nevertheless, if you’re a loyal reader, you know where we fall in this game: The BC Lions. If the books actually thought Sasky was the better team, they would’ve put up a line that suggests so, like -2.5 or -3.
If our intuition leads us down the right path, the public will see getting the Roughriders at +1.5 on the spread as a gift. Plus, getting no points on BC’s spread is problematic for those bettors. In their minds, the Roughriders are the “right bet.”
We see things oppositely and strongly feel the sharps will, too.
Pick: Give us the Lions -104 ML @ Pinnacle.
Bet on Lions vs. Roughriders
Ottawa Redblacks @ Montreal Alouettes – October 14
Best moneyline odds: Redblacks +185 @ Betway, Alouettes -220 @ bet365
Best spread odds: Redblacks +5.5 (-112 @ TonyBet), Alouettes -4.5 (-110 @ BetMGM)
Best over/under odds: Over 48.5 points (-110 @ BetRivers), Under 48.5 points (-110 @ BetRivers)
Gobble, gobble. Happy (early) Thanksgiving, everyone!
The CFL has set us up with an exciting game to cap off Week 19.
Typically, we’d be ready to back the gosh-darned Ottawa Redblacks, but we’ve been told by our sharp sources that they’re going to ride with Montreal.
And you know what? That actually makes sense. The Als are PISSED OFF that they were on the CIGARETTES SO HARD that they let their last game against the Argonauts get away from them.
This week, they’re going to want to take out their anger on the field and the Redblacks are the perfect team to do that against. Ottawa has a terrible secondary, they can’t stop the run, and their offence has fallen off big time.
If the Als come to play, they should absolutely feast on the Redblacks. However, the Redblacks have been our kryptonite all season long, so don’t be surprised if these brothers come out and play their best game of the season against Montreal.
Pick: Nevertheless, we’re cautiously rolling with the Alouettes’ -4.5 (-110 @ BetMGM) point spread.
