We’re set for a four-game slate in Week 12 of the Canadian Football League season and below are our predictions for two of those contests.
Week 12 CFL betting odds and picks: Best bets for Calgary vs. Toronto, Ottawa vs. Edmonton
We’re honing in first this week on two teams headed in diametrically opposite directions, the Stampeders and Argonauts, followed by a clash between two of the CFL’s most vulnerable defences in those of the Redblacks and the Elks.
Friday, August 25: Calgary Stampeders at Toronto Argonauts – 7:30 p.m. EDT
The Stampeders are reeling at 3-7 and quarterback Jake Maier, in particular, has been spiralling lately. The struggling signal-caller has thrown for under 200 yards in three straight games, and he last threw a touchdown pass a month ago.
Calgary did get Ka’Deem Carey back from a toe injury two games ago, but the veteran running back has missed the first two days of practice this week with a quadriceps injury. The same holds true for receiver Tommylee Lewis, who’s seen a nice jump in involvement on offence recently but is now dealing with a wrist issue.
To make matters worse, the Stamps will be playing with a rest disadvantage on the road in this matchup. The Argos had a Week 11 bye, while Calgary was in action on Friday, Aug. 18 and suffered a heartbreaking 19-18 loss to a Zach Collaros-less Blue Bombers squad.
Toronto has an unblemished 4-0 mark at home this season and a 7-1 record overall. Chad Kelly is a leading candidate for MOP honours, scoring 18 total TDs in eight games. Kelly is also set to get Damonte Coxie back from an ankle injury after the talented wideout practiced in full the first two days of the week.
There’s too much of a talent/performance gap at play here for the host Argos not to win going away, in my view. That holds true even if Maier is pulled for Tommy Stevens, especially considering both Carey and Lewis appear headed for absences.
The Pick: Argonauts -9.5 or less (-115 or better)
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Sunday, August 27: Ottawa Redblacks at Edmonton Elks – 7:00 p.m. EDT
The Elks finally broke the win-column ice in Week 11, tripping up the Tiger-Cats by a 24-10 score on the road. Edmonton’s infamous home losing streak persists, however, and that therefore becomes the Elks’ next benchmark to try and reach this week.
Tre Ford has been solid at quarterback over the last two weeks and figures to only get more comfortable. He’s already completed 73.5 percent of his passes for 363 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He also carried 10 times for 110 yards and another score.
Ford has an excellent matchup in this game, as the Redblacks’ defence has been the biggest pass funnel in the CFL with a league-high 326.7 passing yards per game allowed. The Redblacks have also unsurprisingly yielded the most big plays through the air, giving up a league-high 27 completions of 30 yards or greater.
On the other side, Ottawa’s own highly mobile quarterback, Dustin Crum, and the rest of his offence also have very bright prospects.
Edmonton has conceded a league-high 392.6 opponent net offensive yards per game and 7.1 yards per play. The Elks continue to be the league’s most generous rush defence (143.1 RYPG allowed at 6.0 yards per carry) and are also surrendering 264.4 passing yards per game and 9.6 yards per completion.
Considering the defensive struggles of both teams and the fact the Redblacks also appear set to get Bralon Addison (Achilles) on the field for his team/season debut, I like the chances of some points piling up.
The Pick: Over 45.5 points or less (-110 or better)
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