We’re set for a four-game slate in Week 5 of the Canadian Football League season, and below are our predictions for two of those contests.
[metabet_core_odds_board site_id=”3downnation” league=”cfl” market=”spread” hide_consensus=”yes”]
Week 5 CFL betting odds and picks: Best bets for Calgary vs. Winnipeg, Montreal vs. B.C.
We’re back to a four-game slate in Week 5 following a compact but noteworthy Week 4 that included instances of teams recording their first win and suffering their first loss. We’ll hone in on a pair of games that include a matchup between two squads trying to bounce back from particularly disappointing defeats.
Friday, July 7: Calgary Stampeders at Winnipeg Blue Bombers – 8:30 p.m. EDT
[metabet_core_game_tile query=”531021″ size=”350×300″ site_id=”3downnation”]
The post-Bo Levi Mitchell Era in Calgary — which essentially kicked off down the stretch last season — has gotten off to somewhat of an uneven start in 2023. The Stampeders have opened the season 1-2, but they have just a minus-two point differential thus far.
Calgary has averaged a respectable 22.3 points per game, but Mitchell’s successor Jake Maier has completed just 57.7 percent of his passes while generating a two-to-five touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Maier should be helped by the projected return of Reggie Begelton (ribs) for this game as well as the addition of Marken Michel following a four-year stint in the NFL. But, he’s likely to be without downfield threat Luther Hakunavanhu (hip) and just lost top target Malik Henry (Achilles) for the season.
Meanwhile, Winnipeg has been able to pressure the passer consistently, tying with the Lions for the league lead with 14 sacks while already causing 10 turnovers.
After being surprisingly limited to six points by the Lions in their most recent game at IG Field, the Bombers should come out with a focus on a fast start.
Winnipeg’s deep offensive arsenal should be able to establish a solid first-half home lead, especially considering the Stamps are surrendering the third-most yards of net offence (368.3) and second-most offensive plays per game (58.3) while applying only average pressure (six sacks in three games).
With home-field advantage lending a hand, I like the chances of the Bombers going into halftime ahead by at least five due to a combination of their offence and Maier potentially short-circuiting a drive or two with a turnover.
The Pick: Blue Bombers First Half -4.5 (-110 or better)
[n-cta id=betmgm-sportsbook-on]
Click here to play free CFL pick’em games
Sunday, July 9: Montreal Alouettes at B.C. Lions – 7:00 p.m. EDT
[metabet_core_game_tile query=”531023″ size=”350×300″ site_id=”3downnation”]
The Alouettes have an impressive plus-19 point differential, but they’re averaging a modest 20.0 points per game after being limited to just a field goal in a Week 4 loss to the Blue Bombers.
Cody Fajardo has built a productive connection with targets Kaion Julien-Grant and Austin Mack. However, Montreal gets a tough assignment in Week 5 against a Lions team trying to atone for a crushing 45-24 Week 4 loss to the Argonauts.
A pick-six and a punt return touchdown accounted for two of Toronto’s scores in that game, so B.C.’s defence wasn’t as porous as that final score would imply. In fact, the Lions still check in allowing the fewest yards of net offence (241.0) and the second-fewest points (16.5) per game.
B.C. is also tied with the Blue Bombers for the league lead with 14 sacks. Meanwhile, Montreal has conceded the second-most sacks (15) despite Fajardo still possessing some solid mobility.
On the offensive side, Adams has plenty of weapons even if Lucky Whitehead (hamstring) misses another game.
Keon Hatcher, Dominique Rhymes, Alexander Hollins, and Justin McInnis have all had their moments thus far (UPDATE: Lucky Whitehead will also return to action from his hamstring injury). Lead back Taquan Mizzell is capable of excelling as both a runner and receiver (UPDATE: Mizzell will not play due to a knee injury, leaving Shaun Shivers as the starting running back)
Montreal is a touchdown underdog and has scored 19 and three points in two of its games thus far. With B.C. -230 home favourites and out for atonement, I’ll take the -4 first-half line as opposed to dealing with the trickier full-game figure.
The Pick: Lions First Half -4 (-110 or better)
[n-cta id=betrivers-sportsbook-on]
