3DownNation CFL picks: will Montreal ‘kill’ the Argos?

The CFL is back for the second week of the 2022 regular season with a full slate of games on the docket.

3DownNation contributors Justin Dunk, John Hodge, JC Abbott, Ryan Ballantine, Santino Filoso, Joel Gasson, Jonathan Hudson, Mike Ludwig, Brendan McGuire, and Josh Smith have also returned with another year of weekly game picks — for better or for worse.

Six of our ten contributors started off the season with a flawless 4-0 record, while Santino Filoso went perfect against the spread. Our spreads are courtesy of a variety of sportsbooks in Ontario, see below

Thursday, June 16

Montreal Alouettes at Toronto Argonauts () – 7:30 p.m. EDT

Alouettes team owner Gary Stern thinks his team will “kill” the Argos despite being without star running back William Stanback as he underwent surgery to repair a broken ankle. The Argos spent last week on the sidelines with a bye and will look to get off to a strong start with Brandon Banks, Andrew Harris, and Ja’Gared Davis making their Toronto debuts.

DUNK: Montreal’s best player is sidelined and Toronto has added top-tier talent. 

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

HODGE: Toronto got a week to sit back and watch film, while Montreal will miss William Stanback in the backfield.

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

ABBOTT: Without Stanback to hammer the rock, Adams will need to carry more of the load offensively and the Argos will have ample opportunity to show off shiny new pass rusher Ja’Gared Davis.

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

BALLANTINE: I want Gary Stern to be vindicated for being so publicly behind his team. Injuries to Eric Rogers and Juwan Brescacin help Montreal win. 

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

FILOSO: In five career starts vs. Montreal, McLeod Bethel-Thompson is 1-4. His second win comes Thursday night.

Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ALS.

GASSON: Having played last week and looking decent at times will give the Als an advantage.

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

HUDSON: Having played in Week 1 makes me think Montreal will start hot and ride that to a win.

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

LUDWIG: Toronto has the advantage if they don’t feed Andrew Harris too many carries.

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

MCGUIRE: Vernon Adams Jr. is his own running back

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

SMITH: Like Ballantine, I want Gary Stern to have his words be backed up. Unlike Ballantine, I do not think his team has the guys to do it especially with Stanback out.

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

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Toronto 6, Montreal 4

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Toronto 5, Montreal 5

Friday, June 17

Winnipeg Blue Bombers () at Ottawa Redblacks – 7:30 p.m. EDT

The teams opened the first half of a home-and-home at IG Field last week with the Blue Bombers completing a 19-17 comeback on the strength of a late field goal from Marc Liegghio. Ottawa led the game in a number of key statistical categories despite the loss, including offensive yards and time of possession.

DUNK: Winnipeg was flat at home last week, Ottawa will be rocking.

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

HODGE: Picking Ottawa as a home underdog against the spread is a no-brainer here. Heck, I’ll even take them straight-up.

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

ABBOTT: The Bombers looked vulnerable last week and Ottawa won’t make the same costly mistakes twice.

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

BALLANTINE: How a week has changed things! Winnipeg won’t let this one be as close after nearly coughing it up last week. 

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

FILOSO: If Ottawa knew how to use their timeouts, they would have won last week.

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

GASSON: Going with my gut. Ottawa gets on the board.

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

HUDSON: Reason says Winnipeg but Ottawa showed the potential for an upset is there.

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

LUDWIG: Who would’ve thought picking Winnipeg over Ottawa would be contrarian?

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

MCGUIRE: Winnipeg can even win with the other quarterback if they need to. They took Ottawa lightly once, but not twice.

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

SMITH: Ottawa was the better team last week and the home crowd puts them over in this one.

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

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Ottawa 7, Winnipeg 3

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Ottawa 7, Winnipeg 3

Saturday, June 18

Calgary Stampeders at Hamilton Tiger-Cats () – 6:30 p.m. EDT

Bo Levi Mitchell appears set to start for Calgary despite suffering an ankle injury late against Montreal in Week 1. The Ticats are looking to get back on track after the offence sputtered to just 13 points in Week 1 at Mosaic Stadium. We’ll have to wait for depth charts on Friday to see if the club plans to make any personnel changes ahead of their home-opener.

DUNK: Something is off with the Tiger-Cats and Bo Levi Mitchell has lots to prove. 

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

HODGE: Calgary’s pass rush is not as good as Saskatchewan’s – expect Dane Evans to get more time to operate.

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

ABBOTT: I can’t in good conscience bet on a team with an offensive line that looked as bad as the Ticats’ last week. Mike Rose will give centre Alex Fontana fits.

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

BALLANTINE: Calgary’s defence had Vernon Adams Jr. scrambling all night and Dane Evans isn’t as mobile. Sack attack allows Calgary to win on the road. 

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

FILOSO: Neither of these teams were overly impressive last week, but Calgary’s defensive line is better than Hamilton’s offensive line.

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

GASSON: Neither team was super inspiring last week but one definitely looked worse.

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

HUDSON: Hamilton’s offensive depth and injuries concern me short term.

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

LUDWIG: Not confident in either team — especially the quarterbacks — but the tiny edge to Hamilton seems right.

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

MCGUIRE: Homefield advantage matters in a pick ‘em game like this.

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

SMITH: The Ticats need to take care of business this week against the Stamps with Winnipeg looming next week.

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

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Calgary 6, Hamilton 4

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Calgary 6, Hamilton 4

Saturday, June 18

Saskatchewan Roughriders () at Edmonton Elks – 9:30 p.m. EDT

The Riders terrorized Dane Evans last week, recording eights sacks and five takeaways en route to a 30-13 victory over Hamilton. The Elks, meanwhile, had a disastrous season-opener against B.C. in which they allowed 59 points and committed four turnovers. Edmonton did not win at home last season, finishing a miserable 0-7.

DUNK: It will get worse before the Elks get better. 

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

HODGE: It’s impossible to trust Edmonton after their performance against B.C. last week. Yikes.

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

ABBOTT: They’ll be more competitive than last week, but Edmonton just doesn’t have the horses to beat a strong Riders team right now.

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

BALLANTINE: Is this the spread for the whole game or just the first quarter? 

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

FILOSO: Back-to-back blowouts will turn up the heat in Edmonton.

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

GASSON: Frankly, I thought the spread would be higher. 

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

HUDSON: The Elks didn’t even look like they were trying to win in Week 1.

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

LUDWIG: The straight-up pick is disappointingly easy. Against the spread is influenced by vague hopes of writing about a winning team for once.

Straight-up: RIDERS. Against the spread: ELKS.

MCGUIRE: This is the stinker of the week. Maybe even the season.

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

SMITH: The Riders weren’t overly impressive a week ago until very late in the game but they might put up 30 by halftime against this sad-sack Elks squad.

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

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Saskatchewan 10, Edmonton 0

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Saskatchewan 9, Edmonton 1

Records to date (straight-up)

BALLANTINE — 4-0
DUNK — 4-0
GASSON — 4-0
HODGE — 4-0
HUDSON — 4-0
MCGUIRE — 4-0
FILOSO — 3-1
LUDWIG — 3-1
SMITH — 3-1
ABBOTT — 2-2

Records to date (against the spread)

FILOSO — 4-0
BALLANTINE — 3-1
GASSON — 3-1
HODGE — 3-1
HUDSON — 3-1
ABBOTT — 2-2
DUNK — 2-2
LUDWIG — 2-2
MCGUIRE — 2-2
SMITH — 2-2

Best CFL sportsbooks in Ontario