We’ve reached Week 19 of the CFL season and one important narrative around the league has already been dispelled. With the dreadful Roughriders and moribund Stampeders clashing for the inside track on the final playoff spot, you sure can’t say the West Division is better anymore.
The same might be true of 3DownNation‘s picks leader J.C. Abbott, who has witnessed a once impressive lead over the competition dwindle to just one game due to poor performance down the stretch. Santino Filoso remains on top against the spread though he is now in a tie with Peter Klein, who rocketed up the standings with a stunning performance last week.
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, October 13: B.C. Lions at Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 7:00 p.m. EDT
There is no hotter team in the CFL right now than the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who are cruising after winning five of their last seven games — a streak that was kickstarted by an upset win over the Lions. Meanwhile, B.C. is reeling after their second-half collapse against Winnipeg last week and could see their dreams of a home West Final go up in smoke with another loss. The road favourites will be without their top back Taquan Mizzell while Hamilton will debut some late-season additions in the receiving corps, namely former all-star Derel Walker. The game will also mark Bo Levi Mitchell’s first start at home since joining the club in the offseason and he is expected to see more time than the one quarter he played in Week 18.
DUNK: Hamilton is feeling a home playoff game.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
HODGE: Hamilton’s rising but B.C. still has a shot at first place.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: TICATS.
ABBOTT: This Lions team could be in for an emotional letdown.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
BALLANTINE: The Ticats have beaten everyone but Toronto since before Labour Day and have more at stake here.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
FILOSO: The Ticats are getting hot at the right time, but B.C. desperately wants to play the West Final at home.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: TICATS.
GASSON: It’s a long trip east and Hamilton is trending upwards.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
GRANT: Hamilton is playing very good football right now and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Lions get off to a late start given the emotional impact of last week’s loss.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
HOSKINS: The Lions want to bounce back after last week. I’ll take BC to do just that.
Straight-up: LIONS Against the spread: LIONS
KLEIN: I think the Lions bounce back from a tough loss last week.
Straight-up: LIONS. Against the spread: LIONS.
MCGUIRE: The Tabbies know the secret sauce to expose the Leos’ run defence. Plus, they have more to play for than the Lions do, who will almost certainly finish right where they are, no matter what.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
SMITH: This Ticats team is a better one than the one that beat the Lions by 17 earlier this year.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Hamilton 8, B.C. 3
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Hamilton 9, B.C. 2
Friday, October 13: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Calgary Stampeders — 9:30 p.m. EDT
It might be a matchup that is embarrassing to the concept of playoff races, but the Stampeders and Riders have substantial stakes in this head-to-head matchup. If they can overcome last week’s disgusting home loss — their words, not ours — and stop their five-game losing streak, Saskatchewan will clinch a postseason berth and eliminate their opponent. If they lose, Calgary will have won the season series with a game in hand and have a clear path to usurp third place in the West. Working against the Stamps are some significant absences, including top target Reggie Begelton, though the Riders will also have a Derrick Moncrief-shaped hole on defence.
DUNK: Neither team deserves to be a favourite but the Stampeders HAVE to win this game.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
HODGE: Saskatchewan won’t win another game this year.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
ABBOTT: Failure feels inevitable for the Riders at this point.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
BALLANTINE: No Mills and no Begelton would give me hesitation if the Riders didn’t look like they’ve completely quit already.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
FILOSO: Calgary’s injuries are concerning, but after the egg Saskatchewan laid last week, I have no faith in them.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
GASSON: last week was the test. The Riders failed miserably.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
GRANT: Can I pick a tie? I don’t have faith in either of these teams, but one of them has to fall into the final playoff spot. I’m leaning towards Calgary, where there seems to be slightly less pressure on the staff.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
HOSKINS: Can both teams lose? I’ll take the Stamps only because it’s against a Rider team that looks lost.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
KLEIN: There was a time when this would be the marquee matchup of the season. This is not that time. I think the Riders disappoint slightly less than Calgary.
Straight-up: RIDERS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
MCGUIRE: I see no fight left in this Riders squad. They’ve already rolled over. Expect Calgary’s run game to have a field day.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
SMITH: Ugh. Give me the home team, I guess.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: RIDERS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Calgary 10, Saskatchewan 1
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Calgary 8, Saskatchewan 3
Saturday, October 14: Montreal Alouettes at Edmonton Elks — 4:00 p.m. EDT
Edmonton may already be eliminated from the playoffs but Montreal could still have something to play for, with a chance to clinch a home playoff game with a victory. Of course, that could already be decided with a Hamilton loss the day before but at this point in the season, you take the storylines you can get. The Alouettes still have yet to lose to a team under .500 and will be getting running back William Stanback back from illness, while Edmonton continues to be riddled with injuries on the defensive side of the ball.
DUNK: Something about Tre Ford.
Straight-up: ELKS. Against the spread: ELKS.
HODGE: Montreal is still undefeated against every team that’s not B.C., Winnipeg, and Toronto.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
ABBOTT: Montreal is true neutral. Edmonton is chaotic evil.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
BALLANTINE: Ford isn’t surprising anyone anymore and despite his near superhuman ability to escape the rush, the team around him still isn’t very good.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
FILOSO: Montreal needs it more.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
GASSON: The Als don’t lose to bad teams.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
GRANT: Montreal is rolling right now and I’m tired of losing every time I pick against them. They’re a better team than Edmonton.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
HOSKINS: Als will likely feast on the Elks O-Line. Maas wins his return to Commonwealth as a head coach.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
KLEIN: Edmonton has found a lot to build on but the Als are simply better.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
MCGUIRE: Cody Fajardo and Chris Jones do not like each other. Expect the Elks to have a brilliant game plan to neutralize him.
Straight-up: ELKS. Against the spread: ELKS.
SMITH: Als can clinch second with a win while the Elks have nothing left to play for but pride.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Montreal 9, Edmonton 2
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Montreal 9, Edmonton 2
Saturday, October 14: Ottawa Redblacks at Toronto Argonauts — 7:00 p.m. EDT
The situation appears to be getting tense in Ottawa, with another playoff-less season already etched in the history books. Toronto has nothing to play for in a different capacity, though they keep winning despite wrapping up first place in the East weeks ago. The Argos are certain to be resting starters again this week, notably running back A.J. Ouellette, though their plan at quarterback keeps an air of mystery around this game.
There is no available betting line for this game.
DUNK: Chad Kelly starts = Toronto win.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
HODGE: If Ottawa didn’t bother showing up with a chance at the playoffs, why would they show up now?
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
ABBOTT: I’m just going to stop picking against the Argos…
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
BALLANTINE: Oh, no thank you.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
FILOSO: The Redblacks had no fight in recent weeks when the games still mattered and we’ve seen Toronto’s backups play hard. No need to overthink this one.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
GASSON: If Saskatchewan and Calgary weren’t playing, this might be the worst game of the week.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
GRANT: Toronto can play at a high level no matter who they have out there and Ottawa is in a free fall.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
HOSKINS: an unfortunate way to end a late weekend of CFL games, unless you’re an Argos fan
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
KLEIN: I don’t think the Argos could sit enough starters for me to pick Ottawa
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
MCGUIRE: Bob Dyce looks and sounds like a head coach in over his head but he seems to surprise right when you’re ready to give up on him. I’m tossing a Hail Mary on this game!
Straight-up: REDBLACKS. Against the spread: REDBLACKS.
SMITH: Unless the Argos swap rosters with the University of Toronto, there is no reason to pick against them.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Toronto 10, Ottawa 1
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Toronto 10, Ottawa 1
Records to date (straight-up)
ABBOTT — 49-22
GASSON — 48-23
FILOSO — 47-24
HODGE — 47-24
KLEIN — 46-25
DUNK — 46-25
GRANT — 45-26
SMITH — 45-26
HOSKINS — 42-29
MCGUIRE — 41-30
BALLANTINE — 41-30
Records to date (against the spread)
FILOSO — 40-29-2
KLEIN — 40-29-2
GASSON — 39-30-2
ABBOTT — 38-31-2
SMITH — 36-33-2
GRANT — 36-33-2
DUNK — 36-33-2
MCGUIRE — 36-33-2
BALLANTINE — 35-34-2
HOSKINS — 33-36-2
HODGE — 33-36-2
