It’s another week so that means it’s time for another round of picks from our contributors for the Week 14 slate.
All four of this week’s matchups have heavy implications for the playoff race, as the Riders will look to claw back into first place in the West against their rival Bombers — if the B.C. Lions can’t steal it first. The Redblacks and Argos will both look to bounce back from bad losses in a battle that could help decide second in the East, while the Elks look to prove their legitimacy by sending the Stampeders to the basement.
Santino Filoso’s dominance atop our picks can almost be taken for granted at this stage, though others have not been so lucky. John Hodge is currently taking up the rear of the straight-up race as the only sub-.500 picker at 25-26-1, while J.C. Abbott and Peter Klein are a truly abysmal 21-31 against the spread.
Here are our picks for Week 14 in the CFL.
Friday, Sep. 6: B.C. Lions at Montreal Alouetts — 7:30 p.m. EDT
Nathan Rourke finally found his mojo last week in Touchdown Pacific but could have a much more difficult time staying upright in Montreal after losing two starting offensive linemen to the six-game injured list. Meanwhile, the Alouettes are well-rested coming off a bye, though will not have the services of star receiver Austin Mack after he suffered an injury in practice. Flying under the radar is the return of running back William Stanback, who will look to continue his recent tear against the team that cast him aside this offseason.
ABBOTT: The Alouettes are just a better team, but Rourke’s resurgence gives me hope for a backdoor cover.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: B.C.
BALLANTINE: The Lions looked sharp last week but they are going cross-country to play against a very good team. Look for Montreal to send a pre-Grey Cup message.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
DURRELL: The Lions looked improved last week but it’s tough to see Montreal falling off anytime soon.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
FILOSO: This might be the game of the season. Rourke seems all the way back but I hate picking against the Alouettes at home.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: B.C.
GASSON: This should be a dandy. Have the Lions turned the corner?
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
GRANT: With equal rest at a neutral site, I’d take the Lions with the way they’re playing. I just can’t see Montreal losing coming off a bye at home.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: B.C.
HERRERA-VERGARA: Coming off a bye and playing at home are two major advantages for the Als. It should help Montreal to win the game
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: B.C.
HODGE: Nathan Rourke will keep it close but the Lions’ patchwork offensive line scares me.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: B.C.
HOSKINS: B.C. looked so much better last week but they are travelling three time zones on a shorter week… against the Grey Cup champs off a bye.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
KLEIN: If Rourke really is back then this could be a real message to the rest of the league. But, Montreal at home is likely too much to overcome.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: B.C.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Montreal 9, B.C. 1
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: B.C. 7, Montreal 3
Saturday, Sep. 7: Toronto Argonauts at Ottawa Redblacks — 1:00 p.m. EDT
The Argonauts were shell-shocked in last week’s Labour Day Classic, while the Redblacks got a taste of their own medicine against the Lions. Ottawa will add top pass rusher Bryce Carter and electric returner DeVonte Dedmon to their already extensive list of serious injuries, though the questionable status of all-star halfback DaShaun Amos on the other side could be a boost to the passing attack. Whoever wins this game will have a big leg up for a home playoff game, as Toronto looks to prove they’re in contention and the Redblacks try to pull away.
ABBOTT: I may not like Chad Kelly, but I expect him to take a step forward after a bad loss.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
BALLANTINE: The Redblacks will look to get back to form and put even more distance between themselves and the Argos.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
DURRELL: Ottawa bounces back to continue their undefeated streak at home.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
FILOSO: The Redblacks bounce back to remain undefeated at home
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
GASSON: Ottawa is good at home and Toronto isn’t good on the road.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
GRANT: Ottawa is closer to being the team we saw in Victoria and the team that got blown away in Montreal than they are the team that has gone undefeated at home.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
HERRERA-VERGARA: Toronto has a lot to prove after last week’s disaster in Hamilton. They should be ready to go.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
HODGE: The Argonauts aren’t ready to give up on second place in the East Division.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
HOSKINS: Ottawa recovers after a tough game out west.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
KLEIN: There aren’t a lot of stats or recent games that validate this, but I just think the Argos are a better team.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Ottawa 6, Toronto 4
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Ottawa 6, Toronto 4
Saturday, Sep. 7: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 3:00 p.m. EDT
Winnipeg was running away with the Labour Day Classic in the first half until QB Zach Collaros exited the ball game following a shot to the head from Miles Brown. The Bombers held on for a tight road win, Brown was fined by the CFL, and Collaros is expected to start this week, but there is still extra malice bubbling beneath the surface of this Banjo Bowl. With the Riders winless in their last six, it is now or never for this team to figure it out.
ABBOTT: This series was always going to be a split. Corey Mace’s defence steps up in the most hostile of environments.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
BALLANTINE: The last few years the Riders waited until after Labour Day to go into a slump. Got there much faster this season.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
DURRELL: The Bombers are rolling right now.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
FILOSO: Saskatchewan couldn’t win at home last week, so I don’t see them getting the W this week either
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
GASSON: The Riders are due for a Banjo Bowl win but I can’t bring myself to do it.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
GRANT: In a computer simulation, Winnipeg would win this game at least 80 percent of the time. On a human level, it’s extremely difficult to beat your biggest rival in back-to-back weeks.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
HERRERA-VERGARA: Beating an opponent twice in two weeks is a big challenge, and I think the Riders will finally find a way to win a game.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
HODGE: If you can’t win the Labour Day Classic, you can’t win the Banjo Bowl.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
HOSKINS: This is never an easy game for the Riders. Winnipeg continues to climb the standings
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
KLEIN: The Riders haven’t won on the road since Week 2, Winnipeg hasn’t lost at home since Week 3. Neither of those trends will stop this week.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Saskatchewan 7, Winnipeg 3
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Saskatchewan 7, Winnipeg 3
Saturday, Sep. 7: Calgary Stampeders at Edmonton Elks — 7:00 p.m. EDT
The Elks eviscerated the Stampeders through the air last week in a lopsided Labour Day victory, leading to two very different dilemmas. Edmonton must decide if the time is right to re-insert the athletic Tre Ford or roll with veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson after one of the best performances of his career. Calgary, on the other hand, will be deciding whether benching Jake Maier in favour of the unproven Logan Bonner is the right play following his dismal four-interception outing.
ABBOTT: The Stampeders should be sent to the glue factory.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
BALLANTINE: Every time I think the Stamps are done of late, they win to keep the dream alive.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
DURRELL: I said last week that Edmonton would win if Tre Ford played. They didn’t even need Tre Ford.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
FILOSO: The vibes are off in Calgary, whereas the Elks keep finding ways to win
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
GASSON: The end is near for Calgary.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
GRANT: The Elks are a much better team, but this will be tight. Calgary is too well-coached to come out flat in this situation.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Calgary.
HERRERA-VERGARA: Calgary just isn’t good enough.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
HODGE: The Elks have fully turned this thing around.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
HOSKINS: For the first time in 20 years, Edmonton sweeps the week.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
KLEIN: I’ve seen exactly zero evidence to believe that this is the week the Stamps get their first road win of the year.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Edmonton 9, Calgary 1
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Edmonton 8, Calgary 2
Records to date (straight-up)
FILOSO — 35-16-1
GRANT — 32-19-1
ABBOTT — 31-20-1
HERRERA-VERGARA — 31-20-1
GASSON — 31-20-1
HOSKINS — 29-22-1
DURRELL — 28-23-1
KLEIN — 28-23-1
BALLANTINE — 26-25-1
HODGE — 25-26-1
Records to date (against the spread)
FILOSO — 31-21
GRANT — 31-21
DURRELL — 28-24
GASSON — 27-25
HERRERA-VERGARA — 27-25
HOSKINS — 25-27
HODGE — 24-28
BALLANTINE — 22-30
KLEIN — 21-31
ABBOTT — 21-31
