We’ve reached Week 16 in the CFL season and everybody remains in the playoff race, though some teams are hanging on by the slimmest of margins.
When it comes to our picks, all eyes will be on Joel Gasson down the stretch. Saskatchewan’s favourite native son sits second place in both straight-up and against-the-spread selections, breathing down the necks of leaders J.C. Abbott and Santino Filoso.
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Friday, September 22: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Ottawa Redblacks — 7:00 p.m. EDT
The Riders can feel their grasp on the playoffs slipping away after two straight losses and won’t get any comfort with stars like Jamal Morrow and Anthony Lanier II out of the lineup. Fortunately for them, nothing cures a losing streak like a visit to Ottawa, where close defeats have become the calling card of Bob Dyce’s team. The Redblacks have now dropped seven in a row and can no longer count on clutch kicks with Lewis Ward lost for the season, while their linebacking corps could also be a question mark come kickoff.
DUNK: The Redblacks need a win badly, the streak has to end at some point.
Straight-up: REDBLACKS. Against the spread: REDBLACKS.
HODGE: As stated last week, Ottawa has no idea how to close out games.
Straight-up: RIDERS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
ABBOTT: After last week’s loss, there can’t be much fight left in these Redblacks.
Straight-up: RIDERS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
BALLANTINE: As much as the Stamps fan in me would love to see the Riders drop one, it’s not going to be this week
Straight-up: RIDERS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
FILOSO: Saskatchewan has three receivers in the CFL’s top 10 for yardage, and Ottawa’s secondary can’t stop a nosebleed.
Straight-up: RIDERS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
GASSON: If the Riders find a way to lose this one, it’s panic time.
Straight-up: RIDERS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
GRANT: Ottawa should be able to win this, but I’m off the Redblacks until they show me they can close out a game.
Straight-up: RIDERS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
HOSKINS: I want to pick RedBlacks in solidarity with their beleaguered fanbase, but I just can’t. Sorry, RNation.
Straight-up: RIDERS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
KLEIN: Good spot for the Riders to get back on track.
Straight-up: RIDERS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
MCGUIRE: A perfect bounce-back night for Saskatchewan to rise above the bar set so low by last year’s win total.
Straight-up: RIDERS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
SMITH: It’s do-or-die time for Ottawa.
Straight-up: REDBLACKS. Against the spread: REDBLACKS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Saskatchewan 9, Ottawa 2
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Saskatchewan 9, Ottawa 2
Friday, September 22: B.C. Lions at Edmonton Elks — 9:30 p.m. EDT
Both sides are healthy for this matchup with serious playoff implications, as the Lions can become the third team to clinch a postseason berth with a victory and the Elks need a win to stay alive. Recent history skews in B.C.’s favour, as they made CFL history earlier in the year by shutting out Edmonton twice in the same season and have won by a combined margin of 228-53 in the last six meetings. However, the two-headed monster of Tre Ford and Kevin Brown on the ground now plays into the weaknesses of Ryan Phillips’ defence — though handling Vernon Adams Jr.’s aerial strikes won’t be any easier for the Elks.
DUNK: Tre Ford got that it factor.
Straight-up: ELKS. Against the spread: ELKS.
HODGE: Edmonton keeps it close but B.C. has their eyes set on first place in the West.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: ELKS.
ABBOTT: This is a different Elks team than the one B.C. shutout twice this year. The Edmonton ground game will make it interesting.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: ELKS.
BALLANTINE: The Elks are improving, but the Lions are still at a different level.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: LIONS.
FILOSO: I’ll continue to rock with Tre Ford. The Lions were getting blown out last week until the Redblacks completely fell apart.
Straight-up: ELKS. Against the spread: ELKS.
GASSON: Edmonton can beat teams in their league. Three teams aren’t and one of them is B.C.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: LIONS.
GRANT: B.C. has absolutely owned Edmonton this season. Tre Ford will keep it closer than their previous two matchups, but one player can’t close this big a gap on his own.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: LIONS.
HOSKINS: B.C. has trouble against the run. Edmonton’s secondary isgetting better against the pass. I’ll be a homer and say the Elks find payback for the earlier shutouts
Straight-up: ELKS. Against the spread: ELKS.
KLEIN: The Elks have improved a lot but not to B.C.’s level.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: LIONS.
MCGUIRE: Sooner or later, teams are going to start boxing Tre Ford in and it will make life harder for the Elks. Not just yet though.
Straight-up: ELKS. Against the spread: ELKS.
SMITH: One thing is for certain, the Elks won’t get shut out this time.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: ELKS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: B.C. 7, Edmonton 4
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Edmonton 7, B.C. 4
Saturday, September 23: Montreal Alouettes at Calgary Stampeders — 4:00 p.m. EDT
To this stage, the Montreal Alouettes have been an indicator of perfect equilibrium in the CFL: 0-7 against teams above .500 and 6-0 against teams below .500. That formula will be tested this week by the Stampeders, who have been lethal coming off a bye in the Dave Dickenson era. Both teams are expected to have their starting running backs return to the lineup in Ka’Deem Carey and William Stanback, but neither can afford to drop this contest in their respective playoff races.
DUNK: Calgary’s season is on the line.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
HODGE: Montreal has yet to lose to a team that’s not B.C., Winnipeg or Toronto.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
ABBOTT: The math doesn’t lie; Montreal eats sub .500 teams for breakfast.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
BALLANTINE: Calgary keeps their faint playoff dreams alive with a win this week.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
FILOSO: Montreal wins the games they’re supposed to win. This is one of those
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
GASSON: Someone has to win. Though if any game is to tie, it might be this one. Slight edge to the home team.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
GRANT: I think Montreal is a slightly better team, but being at home and coming off a bye should be enough to shift the balance in Calgary’s favour.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
HOSKINS: Calgary off a bye week is usually deadly. This time, they just squeak by.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
Klein: A frustrating stretch for the Stamps gets more frustrating.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
MCGUIRE: This will be a great game. More proof the Alouettes are who we thought they were!
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
SMITH: Trust the team coming off a bye, no matter how bad they might seem.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Calgary 7, Montreal 4
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Calgary 7, Montreal 4
Saturday, September 22: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Toronto Argonauts — 7:00 p.m. EDT
The QEW rivalry has been rather lopsided as of late and Toronto has an opportunity to sweep the season series with a victory at home. However, the Ticats have been surging thanks to new offensive coordinator Scott Milanovich and quarterback Taylor Powell, rattling off upset wins in three of the last four games. Hamilton has plenty left on the line as a playoff hopeful, while Toronto has clinched first place and will be resting bodies already, including running back A.J. Ouellette.
DUNK: It’s that time of year where Orlondo Steinauer has his team coming on strong.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
HODGE: Hamilton keeps it close but Toronto sweeps the season series.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: TICATS.
ABBOTT: Sweeping a season series is tough enough. Now motivate yourself to do it when there is nothing to play for.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
BALLANTINE: The spread is just too high. The Argos win comfortably, but the Ticats cover in garbage time.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: TICATS.
FILOSO: The only thing that will keep this close is how many starters Toronto chooses to rest.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: TICATS.
GASSON: Argos get caught after clinching everything against a team trending upward.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
GRANT: If there’s no discernible letdown from Toronto this week, they’re not human. With Hamilton rolling, this should be close. I foresee another come-from-behind Argos victory.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: TICATS.
HOSKINS: That’s a big spread when one team is managing players’ health and one is desperately wanting a playoff spot. Ticats keep it close but Argos win.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: TICATS.
KLEIN: Toronto might take their foot off the gas at some point but they won’t do that against Hamilton.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
MCGUIRE: The good ship Argo will keep its foot on the gas but the Cats will make them earn it.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: TICATS.
SMITH: Clinched or not, it’s too early for the Argos to truly consider resting people.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Toronto 8, Hamilton 3
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Hamilton 9, Toronto 2
Records to date (straight-up)
ABBOTT — 43-16
GASSON — 41-18
FILOSO — 40-19
GRANT — 38-21
HODGE — 38-21
DUNK — 38-21
SMITH — 36-23
KLEIN — 36-23
MCGUIRE — 36-23
HOSKINS — 36-23
BALLANTINE — 33-26
Records to date (against the spread)
FILOSO — 37-20-2
GASSON — 33-24-2
ABBOTT — 33-24-2
KLEIN — 30-27-2
GRANT — 30-27-2
DUNK — 30-27-2
HOSKINS — 30-27-2
MCGUIRE — 30-27-2
SMITH — 29-28-2
BALLANTINE — 28-29-2
HODGE — 26-31-2
