Picks

3DownNation CFL picks straight-up & against the spread: Week 17

by
3Down Staff
September 25, 2026

3DownNation

Week 17 in the Canadian Football League is here, which means we’re back to a full, four-game slate after last week’s truncated offering.

We have ten contributors making picks straight-up and against the spread, and they’ll do so all season long. Enjoy.

Please note that contributors were asked to make their picks based on the consensus point spreads as of 10:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, September 24. Competing sportsbooks may have different spreads, and lines may change.

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Friday, September 25: Toronto Argonauts at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-1.5) at 8:00 p.m. EDT

The Toronto Argonauts will visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night, where the Blue Bombers were short home favourites when our voters were asked to submit their picks. That has since shifted across several sportsbooks with the news that Dru Brown will start for the Blue Bombers and Zach Collaros has been moved to the six-game injured list with a head injury. Brown went 2-2 as a starter earlier this season, including a win over Toronto. Receiver Makai Polk will return for the Argonauts after missing six games due to a foot injury, while running back Sam Hicks will be back in the lineup to support rookie Canadian Isaiah Smith.

ABBOTT: Chad Kelly needs tape to bring to the contract negotiations.

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.

BALLANTINE: My record hit an iceberg last week when I picked against the Boatmen. Won’t make that mistake this week.

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.

BORDIGNON: The Argonauts continue their winning ways in a potential Eastern Semi-Final preview.

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.

FILOSO: It would be a different outcome for Bomber fans if Collaros was under centre, but since he’s not…

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.

GASSON: The Argos offence is humming.

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Argos are rolling, but it’s hard to beat the Bombers in Winnipeg.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

HODGE: I’m not sure Winnipeg’s defence can repeat a performance like that.

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.

HOSKINS: Toronto seems to be playing at a higher level every week. Can’t see this being any different

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.

KLEIN: Dru Brown beat the Argos before; why can’t he do it again at home?

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

McINNIS: Why are we acting like Collaros to Brown is that big of a downgrade? This season, it’s not. The Argos clinched second in the East last week; this game means more for the ‘Peg.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Toronto 7, Winnipeg 3.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Toronto 7, Winnipeg 3.

Friday, September 25: Saskatchewan Roughriders at B.C. Lions (-3.5) at 10:30 p.m. EDT

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will visit the B.C. Lions on Friday night, where the Leos are short home favourites. These two teams split their previous two meetings, which means this matchup will decide the critical season series and could determine second place in the West. The Roughriders appear to be getting healthy at the right time, as A.J. Ouellette and Kian Schaffer-Baker will return from injury on offence. Meanwhile, the Lions have reconfigured their secondary with Robert Carter Jr. starting at boundary cornerback after his return from the NFL, and Cristophe Beaulieu starting at field-side halfback.

ABBOTT: Schaffer-Baker keeps it close, but Saskatchewan has lost their mojo.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

BALLANTINE: The Lions are coming off a bye and are at home. I still think the Riders squeak one out here.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

BORDIGNON: The Lions win one at home, but the Riders cover the number.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

FILOSO: In what should be a close game, give me the home team.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

GASSON: Feels like the Riders need a win here.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

HERRERA-VERGARA: This should be a great matchup. The Riders will be ready, but the Lions are on fire right now.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

HODGE: This is easily the game of the week.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

HOSKINS: This should be a great battle. Because it’s in Vancouver, I’ll go home team.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

KLEIN: Saskatchewan is getting a couple of big pieces back at the right time. That should be enough to get them the edge this week.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

McINNIS: Based on recent results, shouldn’t this number be higher on B.C.? The Riders are getting healthy, and this one should be tight.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: B.C. 6, Saskatchewan 4.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Saskatchewan 7, B.C. 3.

Saturday, September 26: Calgary Stampeders at Ottawa Redblacks (+2.5) at 3:00 p.m. EDT

The Calgary Stampeders will visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday afternoon, where the Redblacks are short home underdogs. These two teams met at McMahon Stadium last week, where it looked like Ottawa was going to FINALLY get its first win, until Rene Paredes kicked a walk-off, 62-yard game-winning field goal. The Stampeders will be without left tackle D’Antne Demery, who is dealing with an ankle injury, while the Redblacks are expected to make several alterations to their ever-changing lineup.

ABBOTT: The worst time to get punched in the stomach is after you’ve exhaled a sigh of relief.

Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.

BALLANTINE: Lots of high-impact changes last week. This week, there have been a few more reps to get ready for Calgary

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary

BORDIGNON: I don’t think a walk-off will be needed this time.

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.

FILOSO: After losing two weeks in a row on last-second field goals, Ryan Dinwiddie’s team finally gets their first win of the 2026 season.

Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.

GASSON: I’ll do it again.

Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.

HERRERA-VERGARA: Calgary needs another win to be back in the playoff race.

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.

HODGE: The Stampeders are showing signs of life.

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.

HOSKINS: Odds be damned! The Redblacks learn from last week and don’t trip at the end this time.

Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.

KLEIN: Ottawa has been getting closer and closer to that first win. I think they’ll get it done here, in a fitting moment for Calgary’s difficult season.

Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.

McINNIS: Five passing TDs last week for MBT and the Redblacks still lost? You won’t find me putting my money on this winless team. Take the Stamps.

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Calgary 5, Ottawa 5.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Calgary 5, Ottawa 5.

Saturday, September 26: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Edmonton Elks (-7.5) at 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will visit the Edmonton Elks on Saturday night, where the Elks are favoured by more than a touchdown at home. The Tiger-Cats are potentially facing elimination this week, as they’ve lost seven of their last eight games, having never really recovered from the season-ending injury sustained by Bo Levi Mitchell. Meanwhile, the Elks saw their four-game winning streak snapped by Toronto last week. Centre David Beard is questionable and Joe Robustelli has been ruled out of the starting lineup on offence, as neither has practiced this week.

ABBOTT: For the second week in a row, Hamilton is walking into a buzzsaw of someone else’s making.