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3DownNation CFL picks: Redblacks seek sweep of winless Elks

by
3Down Staff
July 19, 2024

Week 7 in the CFL has arrived, which means it’s time for our contributors to make their picks straight-up and against the spread.

Our Montreal-based reporter, Pablo Herrera-Vergara, leads the picks standings straight-up at 18-6, though Ben Grant and Peter Klein are hot on his tail. Against the spread, there is a four-way tie for the top spot at 15-9, with Herrera-Vergara, Grant, Troy Durrell, and Santino Filos all sharing part of the lead..

Without further ado, here are our picks for Week 7 in the CFL.

Friday, July 19: Edmonton Elks at Ottawa Redblacks — 7:00 p.m. EDT

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The Elks made a major change after last week’s loss to Ottawa, firing head coach Chris Jones with offensive coordinator Jarious Jackson taking over on an interim basis. Jackson has made it clear that McLeod Bethel-Thompson will remain the team’s starting quarterback, though he hinted Tre Ford could become active in the offence in a rotational role. Meanwhile, the Redblacks look to improve to 4-2 for the first time since 2018, which was the last year they made the playoffs.

ABBOTT: Firing Jones on a short week when you just came off a 17-day break is historically poor personnel management. That should negate the burst of “new coach energy” most teams experience.

Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Edmonton.

BALLANTINE: Without Jones at the helm, a lot of players need to prove their worth. Elks get the “Keep me!” bump.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

DURRELL: Edmonton has gotten so close to their first win, one has got to come eventually.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

FILOSO: Edmonton gets a bump from the coaching change, but the Redblacks are still a better team overall.

Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.

GASSON: New coach bump for Edmonton.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

GRANT: I continue to believe Edmonton is the better team. I’m fully prepared to watch it burn me yet again.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Elks should have a boost of energy for this one.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

HODGE: The Elks get a bump following Chris Jones’ firing.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

HOSKINS: The Elks should be fired up for this one. I’ll give the bump to the new coach.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

KLEIN: I picked Edmonton last week. Now that one of their big problems is out of the way, I expect the Elks to at least give me a split.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Edmonton 8, Ottawa 2

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Edmonton 9, Ottawa 1

Photo courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders

Friday, July 19: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Saskatchewan Roughriders — 9:30 p.m. EDT

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This contest will mark the first of three meetings between the prairie rivals this season as Shea Patterson makes his third career start under centre without the benefit of Jermarcus Hardrick protecting his right side. Saskatchewan will debut its new obsidian green alternate uniforms during this matchup, but the Bombers hope the addition of a promising young pass rusher TyJuan Garbutt to the lineup will make it a dark day for a different reason.

ABBOTT: Shea Patterson’s receivers can’t inflate his stats forever. He’ll struggle against a Bombers team that’s finally finding their footing.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

BALLANTINE: If Harris was healthy, I’d be picking differently, but I think Winnipeg feasts on Patterson.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

DURRELL: The Riders’ defence is really good and could be the reason they win this game. However, the Bombers have seemingly turned a corner and I trust Zach Collaros more than Shea Patterson.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

FILOSO: I’m not quite sure the Bombers have turned the corner.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

GASSON: Outside of Labour Day, the Bombers have been a thorn for the Riders for years. If they don’t pull it out now, can they ever?

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

GRANT: This is a tough matchup for Winnipeg. I think they’ll have trouble scoring touchdowns. The Riders will do just enough to get it done.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Bombers seem to have turned the page on a rough beginning to the season. They’ve got something interesting going on.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

HODGE: The Blue Bombers are still struggling with turnovers, which have been the key to Saskatchewan’s success.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

HOSKINS: More film on Patterson gives the surging Bomber defence something to work with. Close one but I’ll say Winnipeg finds a way.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

KLEIN: The Riders’ injuries on the offensive line concern me, but I still think they have enough to exploit the issues the Bombers have had to start the season.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Winnipeg 5, Saskatchewan 5

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Winnipeg 5, Saskatchewan 5

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

Saturday, July 20: Toronto Argonauts at Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 7:00 p.m. EDT

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The Boatmen dominated their rivals from down the QEW last season, sweeping all four regular-season meetings by double-digit margins. Janarion Grant and Wynton McManis scored non-offensive touchdowns last week to power the team to an upset win over the Alouettes, while the Tabbies are still looking for their first win of the season. The last time we saw Hamilton play before last week’s bye, the team’s defence was shredded by Vernon Adams Jr., who had a career day at Tim Hortons Field.

ABBOTT: I’m not sure I know what the Ticats are as a team yet, but I definitely don’t trust them.