It’s another week, which means it’s time for another round of picks from our contributors for the Week 17 slate.
This week should have a lot of influence on the playoff picture, as the Alouettes have a chance to clinch first place in the East with a win or an Ottawa loss. The Redblacks can secure a playoff berth themselves in a couple of ways, while Winnipeg could become the first West Division team to officially join the party.
In our picks competition, Santino Filoso maintains a two-game lead straight-up with a record of 39-22-2, though he was off on three of the four games last week. He remains on top against the spread as well, moving to 38-25 with an even split.
Here are our picks for Week 17 in the CFL.
Friday, Sep. 27: Edmonton Elks at Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 8:00 p.m. EDT
The Blue Bombers took it to Edmonton last week with a masterful defensive game plan but the Elks are changing things up at the quarterback position by benching Tre Ford and re-inserting McLeod Bethel-Thompson. While the hope is an improved passing game will spark an upset in the hostile confines of Princess Auto Stadium, neither team will want to ignore their rushing attacks after Brady Oliveira and Justin Rankin combined for 284 yards last week.
ABBOTT: It will be closer than last week, but not close enough.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
BALLANTINE: Winnipeg is rolling while Edmonton is still sorting things out.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
DURRELL: The Bombers are tough to beat at home but I think Edmonton keeps this close.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Edmonton.
FILOSO: There might not be a hotter team in the CFL than the Bombers right now.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
GASSON: The Bombers are all the way back and will be tough to beat.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
GRANT: I really like this Elks team, but Winnipeg has only lost five games at home since the 2018 season. The Bombers will get it done, but not without a fight.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Edmonton.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The return of MBT will be the difference for Edmonton.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
HODGE: If the Elks couldn’t beat the Blue Bombers in Edmonton, they’re not beating them in Winnipeg.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
HOSKINS: Edmonton puts up a better fight but the Bombers just find ways to beat them.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Edmonton.
KLEIN: It doesn’t exactly get easier to play in Winnipeg as the year goes on. Edmonton puts up a good fight but Bombers prevail again.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Winnipeg 9, Edmonton 1
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Winnipeg 6, Edmonton 4
Friday, Sep. 27: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at B.C. Lions — 10:30 p.m. EDT
The Lions are sticking with Nathan Rourke coming out of their bye week and will hope to get back above .500 at home, despite the loss of number two receiver Alexander Hollins. What once looked like a cupcake game doesn’t feel so easy anymore, as the Ticats have their backs against the wall and are on an impressive three-game winning streak. They’ll also have the benefit of their best interior pass rusher, Casey Sayles, back in the lineup — something the B.C. offensive line has struggled to deal with.
ABBOTT: The Lions win but has nobody in Vegas watched the Ticats lately?
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Hamilton.
BALLANTINE: Hamilton has won at unexpected times this season. A TD spread would certainly be an unexpected win.
Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton
DURRELL: Hamilton has gotten hot but it may be too little too late. Coming off an embarrassing loss, Rourke and company will want to right the ship.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Hamilton.
FILOSO: The Lions haven’t looked great recently, but a bit of bye-week magic should set them straight.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
GASSON: Late-night games for East teams are tough. B.C. has been given a chance to breathe and reset.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
GRANT: The Tiger-Cats are playing smart football offensively and they’ll put up points, but off a bye following an embarrassing loss, I’ll take the Rourkes.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Hamilton.
HERRERA-VERGARA: Nathan Rourke has a lot to prove and will respond accordingly.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
HODGE: The Tiger-Cats should keep this one close but it’s hard to image the Lions losing a second straight home game to an East Division team.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Hamilton.
HOSKINS: This is a bounce-back game for B.C. but Hamilton keeps it close.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Hamilton.
KLEIN: Hamilton is rolling but the Lions defence is getting better and healthier at the right time.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: B.C. 9, Hamilton 1
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Hamilton 6, B.C. 4
Saturday, Sep. 28: Ottawa Redblacks at Saskatchewan Roughriders — 3:00 p.m. EDT
This one is packed with a surprising number of storylines as Jeremiah Masoli will get the start for Ottawa over an injured Dru Brown and make his return to Saskatchewan for the first time since Garrett Marino blew out his knee in 2022. Even more eyes will be on Riders’ running back Ryquell Armstead, who is fresh off a 200-yard outing and facing the team that cut him just weeks ago. With Anthony Lanier II and Rolan Milligan Jr. both expected to return versus the banged-up Redblacks, the visitors should be in for a test at Mosaic.
ABBOTT: Ottawa just doesn’t have the bodies to keep up right now.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
BALLANTINE: Masoli came in and torched Calgary earlier this season. He could do the same this week.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
DURRELL: Riders got off the snide last week but I like Ottawa in this one.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
FILOSO: Saskatchewan barely snapped their skid last week, whereas the Redblacks hung in with Montreal. No need to overthink this one.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
GASSON: This is a game the Riders have to win. Ottawa is on the ropes coming to town.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
GRANT: This was a slugfest last time and it will be again, but these teams are heading in different directions.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Redblacks are going through a tough time while the Riders are playing better.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
HODGE: The Riders are starting to get healthy on defence and the Redblacks are super banged up.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
HOSKINS: The Riders are starting to find their groove again.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
KLEIN: The Redblacks are having issues on offence and defence, while the Riders seem to have figured at least some of their issues out.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Saskatchewan 7, Ottawa 3
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Saskatchewan 7, Ottawa 3
Saturday, Sep. 28: Montreal Alouettes at Toronto Argonauts — 7:00 p.m. EDT
Toronto and Montreal have already traded wins this year but Chad Kelly hasn’t seen the Alouettes come to town since last year’s East Final — the site of his infamous collapse and beginning of his latest fall from grace. In fitting fashion, Marc-Antoine Dequoy, who sparked that upset with his pick-six, is likely to return to the lineup at the scene of the crime. Montreal may need a similar defensive spark, as they’ve struggled to generate much on offence lately.
ABBOTT: Kelly might be extra motivated for this one… or he might collapse again.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
BALLANTINE: Why is this spread this small? Seems like easy money.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
DURRELL: Montreal has slowed a bit recently from the juggernaut they were early in the season, but they’re still the best team in the league for a reason.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
FILOSO: The Alouettes can’t afford to take their foot off the gas, yet.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
GASSON: I think the Als had their get-right game last week.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
GRANT: Montreal is still the best team in the league, though they’ve slowed down a bit in recent weeks. I just don’t see the Argos losing two straight at home.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Alouettes have an objective in mind: win the East. They will be ready to go Saturday.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
HODGE: This’ll be close but Montreal clinches first in the East Division.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
HOSKINS: Montreal should be starting their wind-up for the playoffs and want to make a point.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
KLEIN: The Als got a win last week while still finding their footing. Another week for Fajardo to get back into a groove, another big win for Montreal.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Montreal 8, Toronto 2
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Montreal 8, Toronto 2
Records to date (straight-up)
FILOSO — 39-22-2
GASSON — 37-24-2
GRANT — 37-24-2
HERRERA-VERGARA — 35-26-2
HOSKINS — 35-26-2
ABBOTT — 34-27-2
DURRELL — 33-28-2
KLEIN — 32-29-2
BALLANTINE — 30-31-2
HODGE — 29-32-2
Records to date (against the spread)
FILOSO — 38-25
GRANT — 37-26
GASSON — 34-29
DURRELL — 33-30
HERRERA-VERGARA — 32-31
HODGE — 32-31
HOSKINS — 31-32
BALLANTINE — 27-36
KLEIN — 27-36
ABBOTT — 27-36
