It’s another week so that means it’s time for another round of picks from our contributors for the Week 16 slate.
You know it’s a juicy week of games when the Battle of Ontario is the ugly step-child of the schedule. The Redblacks and Alouettes will meet in a clash of top teams, while two struggling West Division teams look to right the ship and two surging ones look to keep the good times rolling.
In our picks competition, Santino Filoso maintains a sizeable lead straight-up with a record of 38-19-2. He remains on top against the spread as well, though Ben Grant is closing fast after a perfect Week 15.
Here are our picks for Week 16 in the CFL.
Friday, Sep. 20: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Toronto Argonauts — 7:00 p.m. EDT
The Tiger-Cats (4-8) have had a difficult 2024 season but two things have given the fanbase hope: back-to-back upset victories and a pair of wins over the rival Argos (7-6). They’ll look to make it three in a row in both categories this week but will have to do it without all-star defensive tackle Casey Sayles and blossoming young running back Greg Bell. Toronto, meanwhile, will get back a stud DT of their own in Jared Brinkman, as well as superstar linebacker Wynton McManis. Just don’t expect any return fireworks with Janarion Grant sitting out this week.
ABBOTT: A complete sweep by an underdog feels unlikely but this spread is dangerous.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Hamilton.
BALLANTINE: In this league, anyone can be great and anyone can be terrible on any given week. I’ll take the upset.
Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.
DURRELL: The Ticats won the season series, but it’s hard to beat a team three times in a season.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
FILOSO: The Argos are rolling now, but that’s a silly spread.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Hamilton.
GASSON: Who the heck knows?
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Hamilton.
GRANT: The Argos are a better team, and after losing twice to their rivals, I think Hamilton has Toronto’s full attention.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Argos should win this one, especially following their last two losses against Hamilton
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
HODGE: The Tiger-Cats can’t sweep the Argonauts this season – can they?
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Hamilton.
HOSKINS: Hamilton continues to make the East interesting.
Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.
KLEIN: I can’t imagine telling my June self that I’d say this, but Chris Jones has Hamilton’s defence playing well. Not well enough to win, but well enough to keep this close.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Hamilton.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Toronto 8, Hamilton 2
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Hamilton 7, Toronto 3
Friday, Sep. 20: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Calgary Stampeders — 9:30 p.m. EDT
One way or another, a long winless streak will end at McMahon — unless these two teams find another way to tie. The Riders (5-7-1) haven’t tasted victory in seven games and will be without their best player, boundary halfback Rolan Milligan Jr., as he spends time with family after the birth of his daughter on Tuesday. The Stampeders (4-8-1) are winless in their last five and remain without answers, despite a promising draw against the Alouettes last Saturday. This game will mark the Saskatchewan debut of running back Ryquell Armstead, who was cut by Ottawa earlier this season for his undisciplined play.
ABBOTT: Corey Mace has attempted to send a message to his team this week. I think they’ll hear it.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
BALLANTINE: There are fewer changes this week for the Stamps against a team that is clearly rattled in the Riders. The game-time decision for McEwen could be a huge factor.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
DURRELL: I genuinely have no clue who will win this game.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
FILOSO: Flip a coin if you want, but the Riders need it more.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
GASSON: Your guess is as good as mine.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
GRANT: There was a feeling of urgency from Coach Mace this week and I expect his players to respond.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Riders have no choice but to start winning. They have the edge in this one.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
HODGE: The Riders seem to want it a little more.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
HOSKINS: After last week, “Hey Siri, flip a coin.”
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
KLEIN: The real analysis is just a shoulder-shrug emoji, but I still think the Riders are a better team. I know that hasn’t mattered a lot lately but it’s the best I’ve got.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Saskatchewan 9, Calgary 1
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Saskatchewan 9, Calgary 1
Saturday, Sep. 21: Montreal Alouettes at Ottawa Redblacks — 3:00 p.m. EDT
The Redblacks (8-4-1) may be home underdogs against the top-ranked Alouettes (10-2-1) but they still hold control of their fate, with a clear path to first-place in the East Division if they can sweep their remaining games against Montreal. That could be a lot harder now that their top defensive playmaker, strong-side linebacker Adarius Pickett, has been lost for the season. The Alouettes know a thing or two about that due to the state of their offensive arsenal but could have safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy and defensive end Lwal Uguak back in the lineup for this one.
ABBOTT: The Alouettes can all but lock up first place with a win.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
BALLANTINE: It’s a good thing my job isn’t completely reliant on this.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
DURRELL: Neither team looked particularly good last week, but I’m trusting the better team here.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
FILOSO: Dyce’s squad has more to prove. The Redblacks remain undefeated at home.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
GASSON: Who knows?
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
GRANT: This will be a “get right” game for Montreal, leaving Ottawa with some difficult questions to answer.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
HERRERA-VERGARA: This is the type of game that the Als need to right the ship. There is a lot on the line on Saturday, Montreal will be ready.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
HODGE: The Redblacks are tough at home and know how to bounce back from a bad game.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
HOSKINS: Ottawa should win at home but that’s a lot of injuries to overcome.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
KLEIN: Montreal’s defence caused the Redblacks fits earlier this year. Last week showed Ottawa hasn’t exactly ironed those turnover issues out.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Montreal 8, Ottawa 2
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Montreal 8, Ottawa 2
Saturday, Sep. 21: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Edmonton Elks — 7:00 p.m. EDT
Call it the Ford Bowl, as quarterback Tre Ford will get the start for Edmonton against his identical twin brother Tyrell, Winnipeg’s top cornerback, for the very first time. The Elks (5-8) are the easy pick as the hottest team in the CFL but won’t have two key offensive weapons, running back Javon Leake and Canadian receiver Hergy Mayala. The Bombers (7-6) have also been on a tear since their atrocious start and could get future Hall of Fame left tackle Stanley Bryant back in the trenches.
ABBOTT: I am a convert to the church of Tre Ford and my saviour has risen.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
BALLANTINE: No Bighill and Ford is starting. Feel like the line could move by kickoff.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
DURRELL: The Bombers have seemingly figured out some of their early season problems but Tre Ford could be the difference here.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
FILOSO: In Ford I trust.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
GASSON: Flipping a coin seems as reliable.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
GRANT: I like how Edmonton matches up against this version of the Bombers. I expect the Elks to be up late, but can they hold on?
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
HERRERA-VERGARA: Tre Ford hasn’t played a full game in a while, and the Bombers usually have the answer to mobile quarterbacks.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
HODGE: The Blue Bombers have fared well against mobile quarterbacks this season.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
HOSKINS: Tre Ford returns to the lineup and continues to create magic. Edmonton fans get to go home happy again.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
KLEIN: If I’ve said it once this season, I’ve said it a thousand times: anytime you can get Edmonton as a home dog, you have to take it.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Edmonton 8, Winnipeg 2
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Edmonton 8, Winnipeg 2
Records to date (straight-up)
FILOSO — 38-19-2
GASSON — 35-22-2
GRANT — 35-22-2
ABBOTT — 32-25-2
HERRERA-VERGARA — 32-25-2
HOSKINS — 32-25-2
DURRELL — 31-26-2
KLEIN — 30-27-2
BALLANTINE — 28-29-2
HODGE — 27-30-2
Records to date (against the spread)
FILOSO — 36-23
GRANT — 35-24
DURRELL — 31-28
GASSON — 31-28
HERRERA-VERGARA — 29-30
HODGE — 29-30
HOSKINS — 28-31
BALLANTINE — 25-34
KLEIN — 24-35
ABBOTT — 24-35
