Week 4 of the 2024 CFL regular season has arrived, bringing with it a full slate of games.
Riding a two-game winning streak, the Lions are heavy home favourites against the winless Elks, while the Alouettes are road favourites in a battle of undefeated teams at BMO Field. Winnipeg is favoured to win in Calgary on Saturday despite being off to an 0-3 start, while the Redblacks are short home favourites against the reeling Tiger-Cats.
Without further ado, here are our picks for Week 4 in the CFL.
Thursday, June 27: Edmonton Elks at B.C. Lions — 10:00 p.m. EDT
The Elks got an exceptional performance from McLeod Bethel-Thompson last week as he threw for 342 yards and four touchdowns against his old team, though it still wasn’t enough to get Edmonton its first win of the regular season. They’re now having to fly to the west coast on a short week to take on the Lions, who looked sharp in a 26-24 win over Winnipeg as Vernon Adams Jr. and Alexander Hollins connected seven times for 215 yards and two touchdowns.
ABBOTT: The Elks have played everyone close this year, but they’ll be exhausted playing against a team that’s beaten them by a combined score of 265-82 in their last seven meetings. This could get ugly.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
BALLANTINE: After a few heart attack weeks to start the season, the Elks won’t be able to keep it as close against the Lions.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
DURRELL: Edmonton has shown they can play with some good teams. I think they’ll do enough to cover the large spread.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Edmonton.
FILOSO: Edmonton has to win eventually, right? Plus, with a banged-up Vernon Adams Jr., I’m not sure how much I trust the Lions’ offence.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
GASSON: MBT is right to complain about short weeks. While it’s not the most egregious one the league has scheduled, it’s a problem nonetheless.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
GRANT: I’m expecting a blowout. Edmonton could easily be 3-0, but their third straight demoralising loss followed by an absurd cross-country trip on a short week will be too much to overcome against a very good Lions team.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
HERRERA-VERGARA: I feel like this will end badly for the Elks. They are on a short week and the Lions are playing at home.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
HODGE: McLeod Bethel-Thompson was right: playing on short weeks is really hard.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
HOSKINS: The Elks have hung in there with the top teams but can’t find a finish. On a short week, on the road, against another top team will likely mean more of the same.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Edmonton.
KLEIN: Edmonton has hung around in their games this year but on the road in B.C. is different than playing the Argos at BMO. I expect them to find that out the hard way.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: B.C. 9, Edmonton 1.
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: B.C. 7, Edmonton 3.
Friday, June 28: Montreal Alouettes at Toronto Argonauts — 7:30 p.m. EDT
This matchup of undefeated teams will be their first since last year’s East Final when the Alouettes shocked Toronto, winning 38-17 to advance to the 110th Grey Cup in Hamilton. Montreal’s defence has remained dominant ever since and Cody Fajardo is off to an M.O.P.-like start to the season, throwing seven touchdown passes in three wins. The Argos haven’t shown any signs of missing Chad Kelly as Cameron Dukes is the CFL’s only starting quarterback who has yet to throw an interception this season.
ABBOTT: Cameron Dukes has been impressive through two games, but a young quarterback should be an amuse-bouche for this Alouettes defence.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
BALLANTINE: The Alouettes haven’t lost since signing Darnell Sankey. As good as Toronto has looked, the streak continues.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
DURRELL: I’ve been really impressed with Toronto through their first two games but Montreal is a juggernaut right now.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
FILOSO: Montreal is the best team in the league and playing with the kind of swagger that doesn’t go away when a series or two goes wrong. However, picking against Toronto at home is foolish.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
GASSON: This should be a heck of a football game — we could call it the “no one believes in us bowl.” Someone will be right. Take the home team.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
GRANT: These teams are fairly even and Toronto is excellent at home, but with two extra days to prepare, the Alouettes should be able to pull this one off.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Toronto.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Alouettes have shown they are the best team with a dominant performance last week. Cameron Dukes hasn’t faced a defence like Noel Thorpe’s.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
HODGE: The Argonauts are a very good team but I’m fully aboard the Alouettes hype train right now.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
HOSKINS: This will be the best defence Toronto has had to face yet. It’ll be close but I’ll give the edge to that defence.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
KLEIN: Cameron Dukes has been a fun story for the Argonauts through two weeks, but this Montreal defence is on another level.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Montreal 8, Toronto 2.
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Montreal 7, Toronto 3.
Saturday, June 29: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Calgary Stampeders — 7:00 p.m. EDT
The Blue Bombers are 0-3 for the first time since 2012, yet oddmakers have made them the favourite to win this one with Calgary coming off a bye week. Winnipeg’s offence finally got going in last week’s win over the Lions but the defence collapsed, allowing 500 yards of offence in a close loss. The club will also be without two-time CFL all-star receiver Dalton Schoen, who is expected to hit the six-game injured list.
ABBOTT: The Bombers will need to course correct at some point, but I’m not certain Zach Collaros has anyone to throw to this week.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
BALLANTINE: The Bombers haven’t been good this year with Schoen. Without him, they’ll struggle even more.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
DURRELL: Winnipeg showed signs of life last week against B.C. but the injury bug will keep the Bombers from getting their first win.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
FILOSO: There was a time when Calgary off the bye was automatic. Let’s see if that’s true again.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
GASSON: Winnipeg is too beat up with a QB who hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass. Calgary is fairly improved over last year.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
GRANT: It still feels weird picking against the Blue Bombers, but they haven’t given me a reason not to, and Calgary is coming off a bye.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Blue Bombers have a lot of injuries and the Stamps are coming off a bye.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
HODGE: Injuries be damned, I can’t see Winnipeg starting 0-4.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
HOSKINS: Winnipeg continues to suffer on the injured list. Calgary comes off the bye week, so I’ll give the rested team the edge.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
KLEIN: Winnipeg showed signs of life last week, I think they get the job done on the road. Calgary is improved but still don’t think they can match Winnipeg if the Bombers are on.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Calgary 8, Winnipeg 2.
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Calgary 8, Winnipeg 2.
Sunday, June 30: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ottawa Redblacks — 7:00 p.m. EDT
Bo Levi Mitchell regressed badly last week following two impressive performances to open the season, tossing three interceptions in a blowout loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Redblacks were also embarrassed in Week 3 as they trailed the Alouettes 30-1 at halftime, finishing the game with four turnovers and allowing 486 yards of offence. Hamilton needs to win this game to avoid falling to 0-4 for the first time since 2022.
ABBOTT: No James Butler, no victory. It’s that simple.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
BALLANTINE: I’m unsure if the Ticats arranged for a hand transplant for their receiving corps, but they have to catch the ball eventually, right? Right?
Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.
DURRELL: Hamilton can’t fall into an 0-4 hole, so I would imagine they’re desperate — but I like Ottawa at home.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
FILOSO: Two desperate teams but this is a game that Ottawa just has to have.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
GASSON: Both teams have much to prove. Both appear to be better at home based on small sample sizes.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
GRANT: I don’t trust either team, but Ottawa is a slightly better squad on paper, so I’ll go with them.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
HERRERA-VERGARA: Ottawa should bounce back after a tough game in Montreal. Bo Levi Mitchell’s train derailed last week and is playing on the road once again.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
HODGE: These teams both need a big bounce back after last week’s disappointment. The Tiger-Cats are the more desperate team.
Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.
HOSKINS: Hamilton has shown moments but then find ways to lose. The Redblacks get the win at home.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
KLEIN: Neither defence has looked all that good. If this breaks down into a wild west shootout, I’ll take the veteran gunslinger.
Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Ottawa 7, Hamilton 3.
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Ottawa 7, Hamilton 3.
Records to date (straight-up)
FILOSO — 10-2
GRANT — 10-2
KLEIN — 10-2
HERRERA-VERGARA — 9-3
DURRELL — 8-4
GASSON — 8-4
HOSKINS — 8-4
ABBOTT — 7-5
BALLANTINE — 6-6
HODGE — 6-6
Records to date (against the spread)
GRANT — 9-3
KLEIN — 9-3
FILOSO — 7-5
GASSON — 7-5
HERRERA-VERGARA — 7-5
HOSKINS — 7-5
ABBOTT — 6-6
DURRELL — 6-6
HODGE — 5-7
BALLANTINE — 4-8
