3DownNation CFL picks straight-up & against the spread: Week 18

3DownNation

Week 18 in the Canadian Football League is here, and we’re into the thick of it now. Three of the four games this week have potential playoff implications, while the first has history on the line.

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, October 1. Competing sportsbooks may have different spreads, and lines may change.

Eligible sports bettors in Ontario and Alberta can find relevant information for wagering on the games by clicking on their respective jurisdiction. Please bet responsibly.

Friday, October 2: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ottawa Redblacks (+1.5) at 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night, where the winless Redblacks are short home underdogs. Both of these teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, which means there is nothing to play for other than pride. The Tiger-Cats will start Jaelen Gill at receiver in place of the injured Keric Wheatfall, while Isaiah Bagnah and Brian Ugwu are expected to fill the void left at defensive end following Julian Howsare’s trade to Montreal. Meanwhile, Ottawa will start three brand new players in their secondary, including Kahzir ‘Buggs’ Brown, Sage Ryan, and Ahmari Harvey. The Redblacks are looking to avoid becoming the first team in CFL history to start a season 0-15.

ABBOTT: The loser of this game should just forfeit the rest of the season.

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

BALLANTINE: MBT has looked like dynamite since taking over. This is the week. 

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

BORDIGNON: Can’t bring myself to pick the Redblacks.

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

FILOSO: If the Redblacks don’t take this one, the noise around going winless will get real loud.

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

GASSON: If you’re gonna suck, suck so bad everyone remembers. 

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

HERRERA-VERGARA: This might be the best shot for the Redblacks to win a game, but I’m not sure it will be enough.

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

HODGE: My strategy of picking against Ottawa each week has been extremely effective.

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

HOSKINS: If it’s ever going to happen, now is the time. Positive vibes for all Ottawa fans.

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

KLEIN: What is the opposite of a team of destiny? 

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

McINNIS: Everything in me says this could be the week for Ottawa, but I still can’t do it. 

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

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Hamilton 6, Ottawa 4.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Hamilton 6, Ottawa 4.

Friday, October 2: Calgary Stampeders at Saskatchewan Roughriders (-5.5) at 9:30 p.m. EDT

The Calgary Stampeders will visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night, where the Roughriders are favoured by less than a touchdown in a game with huge potential playoff implications for both teams. Linebacker Josh Woods and receiver Daniel Wiebe are back for Saskatchewan, while Calgary has Reggie Begelton back in the lineup and swapped out Adrian Greene at the field corner for Lance Boykin. Though the Riders have a game in hand and can clinch the postseason with a win, a victory by Calgary could potentially pull them out of fifth place in the West Division and leave them tied on points with the defending Grey Cup champions.

ABBOTT: The Riders aren’t the Redbacks.

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

BALLANTINE: The first meeting between these two didn’t feature Calgary’s full D-line complement. The Riders won that by just three. 

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

BORDIGNON: This is a Roughriders get-right spot after a bad showing against B.C.

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

FILOSO: The Stamps looked underwhelming in back-to-back games against Ottawa, but even so, they need this more and will be playing desperate.

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

GASSON: It’s time to hit the panic button if the Riders lose this one. 

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

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Riders need to win this one.

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

HODGE: It’s time for the Roughriders to flex.

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

HOSKINS: The Riders want to punch that postseason ticket. 

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

KLEIN: The Riders have fallen off a bit recently, while the Stamps looked better last week. But that gap hasn’t closed enough for me to pick Calgary in this spot.

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

McINNIS: Calgary as an underdog is my favourite bet to make. I expect this one to be tight. 

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

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Saskatchewan 7, Calgary 3.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Saskatchewan 6, Calgary 4.

Saturday, October 3: B.C. Lions at Toronto Argonauts (+1.5) at 3:00 p.m. EDT

The B.C. Lions will visit the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday afternoon, where the Boatmen are short home underdogs. It appears the Lions will be without defensive lineman Levi Bell, who is dealing with a head injury, while Chad Kelly will reportedly play but has been listed as questionable due to an injury to his throwing hand. The Argonauts won the first meeting between these two teams 26-12, though Chase Brice started for B.C. due to an injury to Nathan Rourke, who is coming off his best performance of the season in a win over Saskatchewan. These are arguably the two hottest teams in the CFL, as Toronto has won five of their last six games and B.C. has prevailed in seven of their previous eight.

ABBOTT: You’d need oven mitts to handle Nathan Rourke right now.

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

BALLANTINE: Toronto is getting hot and looks to continue to prove themselves against potential West crossover opponents. 

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

BORDIGNON: B.C. hasn’t won at BMO Field since 2019; that losing continues.

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

FILOSO: The Argos still have an outside shot at snagging first place from the Alouettes, but that hinges on winning this week. 

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

GASSON: Oh, this should be a good one. Give me the home team. 

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

HERRERA-VERGARA: This is the game of the week. Nathan Rourke is rolling right now; I don’t see how the Argos can stop him.

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

HODGE: Nathan Rourke has found his M.O.P. form.

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

HOSKINS: Two teams on fire right now. Toronto has found the solution in a lot of close games, and they do that at home the best.

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

KLEIN: The Lions are on fire right now; I’m not sure anyone is stopping Nathan Rourke. 

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

McINNIS: Two comfortable home wins for B.C., and now they head on the road. Give me the home team. 

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

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

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Toronto 6, B.C. 4.

Saturday, October 3: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Montreal Alouettes (-6.5) at 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will visit the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday night, where the Larks are favoured by a touchdown. Dru Brown is expected to make a second-straight start for the Blue Bombers in place of the injured Zach Collaros, and star defensive tackle Jake Ceresna hasn’t practiced this week, though Ontaria Wilson appears set to return to the receiving corps after missing two games with a hand injury. On the flip side, Najee Murray and Wesley Sutton could be back in the starting lineup on defence for Montreal. The last time these two teams met, Winnipeg won 44-28 despite being 5.5-point home underdogs.

ABBOTT: The Alouettes remember how Winnipeg upset them earlier this year. They never forget.

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

BALLANTINE: Dru Brown isn’t enough to beat this Montreal dynamo, but he is enough to keep it close

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

BORDIGNON: Alouettes revenge and can’t bet against them at Percival Molson.

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

FILOSO: Some people are Dru Brown believers. I’m not one of them. 

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

GASSON: The Als got right last week. 

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

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Alouettes still remember how the last matchup went. They should take this one.

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

HODGE: The Alouettes are uber-talented and ornery.

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

HOSKINS: Alouettes show that Winnipeg could win once but not twice. 

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

KLEIN: Montreal is on a mission right now, and Winnipeg isn’t getting in their way. 

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

McINNIS: Getting this number on Winnipeg would typically be an auto-bet, but not in this match-up. 

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

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Montreal 10, Winnipeg 0.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Montreal 9, Winnipeg 1.

2026 records (straight-up)

HODGE — 49-16
ABBOTT — 47-18
HERRERA-VERGARA — 47-18
BORDIGNON — 39-26
GASSON — 39-26
HOSKINS — 39-26
FILOSO — 37-28
KLEIN — 37-28
BALLANTINE — 34-31
McINNIS* — 22-13

2026 records (against the spread)

HERRERA-VERGARA — 38-27
ABBOTT — 37-28
HODGE — 37-28
GASSON — 33-32
KLEIN — 31-34
BORDIGNON — 30-35
HOSKINS — 29-36
FILOSO — 28-37
BALLANTINE — 27-38
McINNIS* — 20-15