We’ve reached Week 17 in the CFL season, though fans might wish it was really a week later. With poor scheduling and load management ruining the highest-profile matchup this week, it is hard not to look ahead to next week’s West Division deciding clash between the Bombers and Lions — so long as both teams avoid falling into traps this week.
Our 3DownNation picks leaders are facing a similar dilemma, as neither J.C. Abbott (straight-up) nor Santino Filoso (against the spread) can afford to take their eye off the ball lest Joel Gasson capitalize on their mistakes.
If you think you have the chops to match our experts, try 3DownNation’s new Pick’em game. It’s free to play with a $50 Amazon gift card up for grabs each game. All residents of Canada and the U.S. are eligible to participate, excluding Quebec.
Friday, September 29: Toronto Argonauts at Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 8:00 p.m. EDT
Once billed as the potential game of the year, the CFL left the Grey Cup rematch out in the sun too long and will now have to watch it spoil. The runaway East Division leaders have taken the oars out of Chad Kelly’s hand for his playoff safety and a sold-out crowd at IG Field will instead be treated to rookie Cameron Dukes’ first career start. The Bombers won’t be resting anyone with the West Division crown still on the line and should be able to move the ball against a Toronto defence missing three key starters.
DUNK: Toronto doesn’t care about the outcome and Winnipeg does.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
HODGE: Toronto’s not even trying to win this game.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
ABBOTT: Toronto’s about to drop a Dukie at IG Field
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
BALLANTINE: It’s a shame this game is meaningless as we could have had a nice Grey Cup preview!
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
FILOSO: If you’re upset Toronto is resting starters, blame the league for not making this game the season opener.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
GASSON: Toronto is doing what’s best for them, winning the game doesn’t matter. History also suggests beating the Bombers doesn’t end well in the next meeting.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
GRANT: You can’t beat the Bombers at home unless the game means more to you than it does to them. With Cameron Dukes starting, I believe Toronto’s primary interest in this game is data collection. I’ll take Winnipeg by double digits.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
HOSKINS: Does the Argos’ depth keep it close? Probably not
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
KLEIN: If the Argos had trouble beating Calgary without Kelly, I can’t imagine a matchup with the Bombers fairs any different.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
MCGUIRE: This spread seems generous.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
SMITH: Argos fans are about to get a look at what life would be like if Chad Kelly got hurt. It won’t be pretty.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Winnipeg 11, Toronto 0
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Winnipeg 11, Toronto 0
Friday, September 29: Saskatchewan Roughriders at B.C. Lions — 10:30 p.m. EDT
It doesn’t take a particularly bold pundit to suggest that this week might have “trap game” potential for the Lions, but Saskatchewan’s win over B.C. in Week 11 should be enough to keep the home side honest. The Lions will get a big boost from the returns of receiver Dominique Rhymes and weakside linebacker Bo Lokombo, while the Riders will have safety Jayden Dalke back in the fold. Riding a three-game losing skid, Saskatchewan will need to prove they are legit playoff contenders to stop the rising tide of panic in Regina.
DUNK: Dominique Rhymes returns in a must-win game for B.C. to keep chances to host the West Final.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: LIONS.
HODGE: This could be Saskatchewan’s last chance to win back those who have jumped off the bandwagon.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
ABBOTT: Leave the Admiral Ackbar references at home, the Lions need to make a statement too much for this to be a trap.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
BALLANTINE: The Lions will be motivated by needing to keep pace with Winnipeg. The spread seems high though.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
FILOSO: No reason to overthink this, B.C. has been lights out at home this season.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: LIONS.
GASSON: Part of me wants to take the Riders cause they have these dumb wins sometimes but I can’t do it.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: LIONS.
GRANT: On paper, the Lions should win this game by double digits, but their last two home games haven’t gone very well. I think B.C. will pull it out, but don’t be surprised to see them trailing late.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
HOSKINS: Riders still spiralling. B.C. coming together. That’s a big spread but VA and company like that challenge
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: LIONS
KLEIN: Sasky has had some tough results lately but have shown up in some big spots this year. They don’t win but they keep it close.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
MCGUIRE: Riders need VA to have an off-night. He is due for that.
Straight-up: RIDERS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
SMITH: The Riders play down to bad teams and up to good teams. They will keep this close.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: B.C. 10, Saskatchewan 1
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Saskatchewan 7, B.C. 4
Saturday, September 30: Montreal Alouettes at Ottawa Redblacks — 4:00 p.m. EDT
The Montreal Alouettes have one guiding principle this season: we don’t lose to sub-.500 teams. If they keep that streak alive for an eighth victory, they’ll become the fourth CFL franchise to punch their ticket to the postseason. Meanwhile, Ottawa is fighting for their playoff lives and showed considerable signs of life last week. They are expected to have cornerback Money Hunter and middle linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox back for this contest, while Montreal could be without top receiver Austin Mack.
DUNK: Lots of positive energy in the nation’s capital right now.
Straight-up: REDBLACKS. Against the spread: REDBLACKS.
HODGE: Montreal’s yet to lose to a team that’s not Winnipeg, B.C. or Toronto.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
ABBOTT: The Redblacks finally saw the fruits of their labour pay off last week. I think they catch Montreal napping.
Straight-up: REDBLACKS. Against the spread: REDBLACKS.
BALLANTINE: Montreal is suddenly worried about retaining a home playoff game that seemed like a foregone conclusion a few weeks ago.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
FILOSO: Ottawa’s season is on the line, and as last week showed, they’re still buying what Dyce is selling
Straight-up: REDBLACKS. Against the spread: REDBLACKS.
GASSON: Montreal is not Saskatchewan.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
GRANT: Montreal won in Ottawa by a point last month, but it’s hard to beat the same team twice in their own building. Montreal is the better team but Ottawa takes this one by a field goal.
Straight-up: REDBLACKS. Against the spread: REDBLACKS.
HOSKINS: Montreal has been up and down all season. With that in mind, Ottawa finds a way at home.
Straight-up: REDBLACKS. Against the spread: REDBLACKS.
KLEIN: The Als just feel like the better team.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS
MCGUIRE: Redblacks have their mojo again. It doesn’t take much to beat Montreal.
Straight-up: REDBLACKS. Against the spread: REDBLACKS.
SMITH: The Als are 7-0 against teams with worse records than theirs.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Ottawa 6, Montreal 5
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Ottawa 6, Montreal 5
Saturday, September 30: Calgary Stampeders at Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 7:00 p.m. EDT
Carrie Underwood may be headed to Hamilton for Grey Cup week but neither of these teams can let Jesus take the wheel in their pursuit of joining her. The Tiger-Cats added veterans Jamal Davis II and Derel Walker this week as they look to lock up the third seed in the East, while a win from the Stampeders would go a long way toward reviving their crossover hopes. With centre Sean McEwen battling a foot injury and running back Ka’Deem Carey questionable due to illness, Calgary may have to get it done without some major pieces.
DUNK: Hamilton is hummin’ at the right time.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
HODGE: Calgary’s season is over.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
ABBOTT: Nothing warms my heart quite like seeing the Stampeders suck.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
BALLANTINE: Calgary can keep the dream alive with a win, something they’ve done a few times already.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
FILOSO: Flip a coin. Both teams have serious issues but give me the home squad I guess
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
GASSON: Hamilton should be highly motivated to end any crossover hopes.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
GRANT: Hamilton played terribly last week, but they’re a very capable team. They should be able to handle the Stampeders at home.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
HOSKINS: Ticats bounce back after last week. Calgary still can’t seem to find their way.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
KLEIN: After Calgary’s failure to show up last week in a big spot, I have no reason to think they’ll show up here.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
MCGUIRE: I’ve been looking for a reason all week to pick Calgary and still haven’t found one.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
SMITH: Hamilton isn’t a good team but Calgary is a bad one.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Hamilton 10, Calgary 1
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Hamilton 9, Calgary 2
Records to date (straight-up)
ABBOTT — 45-18
GASSON — 42-21
FILOSO — 42-21
HODGE — 41-22
GRANT — 40-23
DUNK — 39-24
SMITH — 39-24
KLEIN — 39-24
MCGUIRE — 37-26
HOSKINS — 37-26
BALLANTINE — 35-28
Records to date (against the spread)
FILOSO — 38-23-2
GASSON — 34-27-2
ABBOTT — 34-27-2
KLEIN — 33-28-2
GRANT — 31-30-2
DUNK — 31-30-2
SMITH — 31-30-2
HOSKINS — 30-31-2
MCGUIRE — 30-31-2
BALLANTINE — 29-32-2
HODGE — 27-34-2
