We’ve reached the final week of the 2023 CFL regular season and all the focus has already shifted to next week’s playoff showdowns, with the standings already set in stone. Just one team has something left to play for, with the first-place Toronto Argonauts just one win away from a historic milestone.
Everything is still up for grabs in our 3DownNation picks competition, as J.C. Abbott, Joel Gasson, Santino Filoso and John Hodge find themselves in a four-way tie for first place entering Week 21. Meanwhile, Filoso is one game ahead of Gasson in against-the-spread selections.
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 27: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Calgary Stampeders — 9:00 p.m. EDT
First place in the West Division has already been wrapped up in Winnipeg, which means it will be Dru Brown time this week as Zach Collaros puts his feet up. He’ll be far from the only one too, as the Bombers are scheduled to have 10 other starters sit out the finale. The third-place Stampeders aren’t taking quite such an extreme approach but don’t expect Reggie Begelton, Cameron Judge or Ka’Deem Carey to dirty their uniforms this week. The biggest storylines will be the return of CFL interception leader Demerio Houston in the Winnipeg secondary and whether Brady Oliveira can get the 20 yards he needs to crack 2,000 all-purpose before retiring to the bench.
DUNK: Winnipeg’s second and third stringers can beat Calgary.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
HODGE: Dru Brown is out to prove he’s a starter in this league.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
ABBOTT: What can Brown do for you? Win a meaningless game.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
BALLANTINE: I wish I cared about this game but even the coaches don’t.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
FILOSO: In a battle of backups, I’ll take the deeper team
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
GASSON: Dru Brown’s Matt Flynn game? Maybe.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
GRANT: Don’t get caught thinking this game is only about Dru Brown. Yes, he’ll be the best QB playing, but the Bombers will be THIN in Calgary.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
HOSKINS: Even with backups in, the Bombers will find a way to be ready for the playoffs.
Straight-up: BOMBERS Against the spread: BOMBERS
KLEIN: The Stamps will be looking to end the home portion of their schedule on a high note.
Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS.
MCGUIRE: The Bombers need to sharpen up a little before their bye week.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
SMITH: A playoff berth doesn’t make the Stamps any good.
Straight-up: BOMBERS. Against the spread: BOMBERS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Winnipeg 9, Calgary 2
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Winnipeg 9, Calgary 2
Saturday, October 28: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Montreal Alouettes — 4:00 p.m. EDT
Nothing saps the life out of a regular-season finale quite like a meaningless meeting between two teams that will see each other in the playoffs the next week. Expect rested starters on both sides and plenty of vanilla play calls, as neither team tries to tip their hand ahead of the East Semi-Final. How Hamilton manages Bo Levi Mitchell in this final tune-up opportunity might be the only source of intrigue.
DUNK: Hamilton hangs tough in Montreal.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: TICATS.
HODGE: In a meaningless game, I’ll take the squad with the better QB depth.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
ABBOTT: Do I have to watch this game?
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
BALLANTINE: Playbook, thy name is vanilla. Give me the home team.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
FILOSO: In a battle of backups, I’ll take the home team
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
GASSON: No one’s gonna show anything with the rematch looming.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
GRANT: Neither team is going to show anything at all, but Hamilton has far better depth — most of whom have had serious playing time this season due to injuries.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
HOSKINS: The Cats want to prove something before the rematch next week.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
KLEIN: I think the Ticats have better depth, so I’ll go with that.
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
MCGUIRE: The Alouettes will want to show off an 11-win season to their fans, whereas the Cats won’t care so much.
Straight-up: ALS. Against the spread: ALS.
SMITH: *Flips coin*
Straight-up: TICATS. Against the spread: TICATS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Hamilton 7, Montreal 4
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Hamilton 8, Montreal 3
Saturday, October 28: Toronto Argonauts at Ottawa Redblacks — 7:00 p.m. EDT
The book was closed on the Redblacks’ season a long time ago and there is nothing left at stake besides pride and solid game-tape. The Argos couldn’t be more opposite and while this game will not affect the standings, it could tie them with the 1989 Edmonton Football Team for the winningest season in CFL history. After an injury scare last week, they’ll need to accomplish that feat without quarterback Chad Kelly, with both Cameron Dukes and Bryan Scott expected to see time.
DUNK: Toronto sails to a single-season wins record.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: REDBLACKS.
HODGE: Toronto’s backups are better than Ottawa’s starters.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
ABBOTT: The Argos have a record to play for.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
BALLANTINE: The Argos have the motivation to play. That will be enough.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS
FILOSO: Ottawa will be looking to make a point with a rare home win. The Argos are focused on staying healthy.
Straight-up: REDBLACKS. Against the spread: REDBLACKS.
GASSON: Toronto might be able to win with a number of their third-stringers.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
GRANT: Both teams’ final score will be a prime number — never a great sign.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
HOSKINS: Argos roll to tie the best single season ever.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
KLEIN: Ottawa has nothing to rest for, so that has to count for something…right?
Straight-up: REDBLACKS. Against the spread: REDBLACKS.
MCGUIRE: Ottawa is really bad and Toronto has history on the line.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
SMITH: Toronto had their scare last week.
Straight-up: ARGOS. Against the spread: ARGOS.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Toronto 9, Ottawa 2
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Toronto 8, Ottawa 3
Records to date (straight-up)
ABBOTT — 53-25
GASSON — 53-25
FILOSO — 53-25
HODGE — 53-25
KLEIN — 51-27
GRANT — 51-27
DUNK — 50-28
SMITH — 50-28
HOSKINS — 48-30
BALLANTINE — 47-31
MCGUIRE — 44-34
Records to date (against the spread)
FILOSO — 46-30-2
GASSON — 45-31-2
KLEIN — 43-33-2
ABBOTT — 43-33-2
DUNK — 41-35-2
SMITH — 40-36-2
GRANT — 40-36-2
BALLANTINE — 40-36-2
MCGUIRE — 39-37-2
HODGE — 39-37-2
HOSKINS — 36-40-2
