It’s another week, which means it’s time for another round of picks from our contributors for the Week 19 slate.
While the teams are slowly slotting into their postseason places, there is still plenty of meat left on the bone in the lead up to Turkey Day. One team can carve themselves a playoff ticket with a victory, while two others can pour on some gravy with hosting duties.
In our picks competition, Santino Filoso has just jumped back in front with a 43-25-2 record straight-up. He’s also managed to tie Ben Grant against the spread, with both sitting at 40-30 for the year.
Here are our picks for Week 18 in the CFL.
Photo courtesy: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Friday, Oct. 11: Toronto Argonauts at Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 8:30 p.m. EDT
This inter-divisional matchup carries significant playoff implications, as the Argonauts are looking to clinch a playoff spot with a victory and the Bombers have a chance to secure the top seed in the West. Brady Oliveira has been red-hot throughout Winnipeg’s eight-game winning streak but could be tested by Toronto’s top-ranked run defence. Meanwhile, Chad Kelly will look to figure out a Bombers secondary that is leading the pack in pass defence.
ABBOTT: Toronto is just too inconsistent to bet on a road upset of this magnitude.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
BALLANTINE: Winnipeg needs one more to clinch home field for the playoffs, then they can rest.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
DURRELL: Bombers continue to roll at home.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
FILOSO: Both teams have plenty to play for. Give me the home team in a close one.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Toronto.
GASSON: Winnipeg is rolling and Toronto isn’t great on the road.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
GRANT: Betting against Winnipeg at home rarely makes sense, but the Argos are coming off a bye. They need this one more and they’re one of the few teams in the CFL who match up well against the Blue Bombers.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Argos are playing very well lately. They’l want to book their spot in the playoffs while Winnipeg is cruising.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
HODGE: The Argos keep it close but the Blue Bombers are red hot.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Toronto.
HOSKINS: Winnipeg clinches home-field advantage at home.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
KLEIN: Winnipeg is on fire, I think their defence limits Kelly enough to get the win.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Winnipeg 8, Toronto 2
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Winnipeg 6, Toronto 4
Photo: Larry MacDougal/3DownNation. All rights reserved.
Saturday, Oct. 12: Edmonton Elks at Calgary Stampeders — 3:00 p.m. EDT
There is nothing left to play for except pride in the province of Alberta, as both teams were eliminated from playoff contention last week. Edmonton has a chance to pull off a sweep of the season series but will face a third different quarterback after combining for nine interceptions against Jake Maier and Logan Bonner in the Labour Day home-and-home. Matthew Shiltz is expected to get the nod as P.J. Walker waits to get his feet wet, but he won’t be the only quarterback switch. The Elks will go back to mobile Canadian Tre Ford for a final few games of audition for franchise QB status, though Jarret Doege could also receive time.
ABBOTT: The Elks still have pride and their heads held high. The Stampeders have their suitcases pre-packed.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
BALLANTINE: It’s weird to have so little feeling entering a Battle of Alberta. Both teams in ‘show-me’ mode.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
DURRELL: This is just another chance for fans to watch Tre Ford this season.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
FILOSO: In Ford I (continue to) Trust.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
GASSON: Hopefully, Tre Ford does something fun. That’s about all that matters here.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
GRANT: Edmonton deserved a better fate this season. They’re the more talented team in this matchup and I expect them to finish the season with a few strong showings.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Tre Ford effect will be enough for the Elks to beat Calgary
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
HODGE: The Elks run all over their provincial rivals.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
HOSKINS: Ford won’t solve all the issues but luckily, it’s against Calgary.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
KLEIN: Calgary can’t stop the run. Edmonton likes to run. You see where I’m going with this.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Edmonton 9, Calgary 1
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Edmonton 9, Calgary 1
Photo courtesy: Jamie Douglas/B.C. Lions
Saturday, Oct. 12: B.C. Lions at Saskatchewan Roughriders — 7:00 p.m. EDT
Second-place in the West Division could be all but decided in Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, as the Riders look to triple their one-point lead in the standings. B.C. has been stagnant offensively and has gone three games without a passing touchdown from Nathan Rourke, but could have difference makers like left tackle Jarell Broxton, fullback David Mackie, and receiver Alexander Hollins back in the lineup. Saskatchewan has been clipping along thanks to some excellent recent play from Trevor Harris but will also receive a boost from the return of running back A.J. Ouellette.
ABBOTT: Will this finally stop Rider Nation from calling me a homer? Unlikely.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
BALLANTINE: B.C. needs to prove to themselves that they can put something together against another playoff team before the season winds down.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
DURRELL: B.C. hasn’t impressed me over the last number of weeks while Saskatchewan looks like they’ve been able to get the wheels back on their season.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
FILOSO: The Lions desperately want a home playoff game, which makes this a must-win.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
GASSON: Can B.C.’s offence suddenly turn it around? I don’t know.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
GRANT: These teams are heading in different directions. The Lions should be able to keep it close, but not close enough.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Riders are rolling while the Lions are still trying to get solutions.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
HODGE: The Riders stay hot with their home crowd behind them.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
HOSKINS: Lions have been less impressive lately and Riders are finding ways to win
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
KLEIN: Saskatchewan is getting back on track and that defence is for real.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchwan.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Saskatchewan 8, B.C. 2
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Saskatchewan 8, B.C. 2
Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com
Monday, Oct. 14: Ottawa Redblacks at Montreal Alouettes — 1:00 p.m. EDT
Your Thanksgiving Day amuse-bouche features two playoff teams in search of ‘get-right’ games, as Ottawa has lost each of their last three and Montreal have only won once in their last four games. Redblacks’ quarterback Dru Brown is still nursing an ankle injury and could give Jeremiah Masoli another opportunity to start, while Cody Fajardo is expected to play despite missing the start of the week due to the birth of his second son. An evolving injury report will have a big influence here, with the likes of Jovan Santos-Knox and Austin Mack potentially returning and others like Mustafa Johnson and Justin Hardy possibly out.
ABBOTT: I expect Jason Maas to have his group tuned in and turned around.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
BALLANTINE: Ottawa needs it more. Montreal has nothing to play for.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
DURRELL: Meaningless game for Montreal while Ottawa is chasing a home playoff game.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
FILOSO: The Redblacks’ organization is desperate to lock down a home playoff game, whereas nothing really matters for Montreal until the East Final.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
GASSON: Both teams haven’t been at their best lately. I’ll go with the home team.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
GRANT: This might be Montreal’s final “show” for their home fans before packing things up and waiting for the East Final. I’m expecting another blow out.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Als will show why they are the best of the East.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
HODGE: The Alouettes get their mojo back.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
HOSKINS: Montreal shows why they are tops in the East.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
KLEIN: Ottawa has had major issues with Montreal all year. I see no reason why that would change here.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Montreal 7, Ottawa 3
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Montreal 7, Ottawa 3
Records to date (straight-up)
FILOSO — 43-25-2
GRANT — 42-26-2
GASSON — 41-27-2
HOSKINS — 40-28-2
ABBOTT — 39-29-2
HERRERA-VERGARA — 38-30-2
DURRELL — 37-31-2
KLEIN — 37-31-2
HODGE — 34-34-2
BALLANTINE — 33-35-2
Records to date (against the spread)
GRANT — 40-30
FILOSO — 40-30
GASSON — 38-32
HODGE — 36-34
DURRELL — 36-34
HOSKINS — 35-35
HERRERA-VERGARA — 33-37
ABBOTT — 33-37
KLEIN — 31-39
BALLANTINE — 30-40
