| Record | Last Week | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Game Picks | 3-0 | 13-5 |
| Player Props | 1-0 | 5-2 |
| Overall | 4-0 | 18-7 |
The second half of last week’s Sunday nighter had just started when there was a threat of a sweat. The heavily favoured Alouettes just needed to win for 3rd and 1 to go 4-0. So, when Kenny Lawler broke a tackle and scored on a 33-yard catch and run to put the Tabbies up five at the start of the 3rd quarter, the blood began to pump, and I could feel the perspiration preparing to percolate. It never did. The Als marched down the field for a major, and when I wiped my brow, it was dry. The Grey Cup favourites never relinquished the lead and even covered the largest spread of the season.
It’s a short turnaround for the Als Friday in Ottawa, and the Redblacks are rested coming off a bye. No one would blame the Als for a letdown when they can cruise to the division title. The situation sets up for a potential upset with Ottawa desperate for its first win under Ryan Dinwiddie. It’s enough to take a wait-and-see approach, but I’m not betting on the Redblacks just yet.
BC Lions at Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Kaidon Salter will make his first CFL start for the Lions as a 7.5-point underdog in Winnipeg. The 23-year-old only signed with the team in May after a short stint at rookie camp for the Tennessee Titans. Prior to that, he went 3-6 in nine games as the starter for the University of Colorado under Deion Sanders, throwing 10 TDs with 7 interceptions last season. He has the pedigree, but more importantly, the kid looked really good in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss. It was over by the time Buck Pierce decided he’d seen enough of Chase Brice with about 8 minutes left, but Salter made the most of his two drives. He racked up 121 yards, connecting on several tight window throws as he marched the Lions into scoring position both times. He also turned what could have a been a botched snap into a ten yard scramble. He showed the ability to move the ball even if it was in garbage time, and now he’s facing a defence that just gave up 52 points to the Stamps.
In addition to my obvious optimism about their new QB, Mike Benevides’ defence has fixed whatever was flummoxing them in the early going. They’ve now allowed the fewest yards and the fewest passing touchdowns in the league. In the run game, they’re allowing 27 fewer yards per game than the next closest unit. If they can slow down Brady Oliveira and force Dru Brown into some bad decisions, a victory isn’t out of the question.
THE PICK: LIONS +7.5
PLAYER PROP: JUSTIN McINNIS OVER 54.5 RECEIVING YARDS
When Kaidon Salter entered last week with 8 minutes to play, he was 9-of-15 for 121 yards in just two drives. Five of his nine completions went to Justin McInnis for 84 yards. Again, that was on two drives. It’s a small sample size but the new QB from Texas appears to be in a comfort zone throwing to his Canadian receiver.
Calgary Stampeders at Hamilton Tiger-Cats
It was an impressive 13-point loss by the Ti-Cats Sunday in Montreal. That’s an unusual thig to write, but it’s true. Tre Ford couldn’t move the ball, but the defence was outstanding despite being on the field for most of the game again. Ti-Cats games have gone under the total in every week since Bo Levi Mitchell was injured. This defence forced Davis Alexander to throw his first interception of the season last week. Don’t be surprised if they force Vernon Adams to throw his first of the season on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Stamps defence is allowing a league-high 435 net yards per game. Only Ottawa has allowed more points. However, the front four should be able to get to Tre Ford.
THE PICK: UNDER 60.5 TOTAL POINTS
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Edmonton Elks
Tough to top last week’s game between these two teams in Saskatchewan. The Elks won on a 57-yard walkoff field goal to win 36-34. Edmonton opened as the favourite for the re-match but that line has flipped even though the game is in Alberta. I really liked the Riders as the underdog, but I’ll still take them to bounce back this week as a slight favourite. They were on a bye prior to last week’s loss and are probably eager to be in Edmonton after tragedy struck the team just over ten days ago. Meanwhile, the Elks have played six straight weeks without a break. The Riders defence had a good plan to frustrate Justin Rankin. They should be able to do it again, while still fixing the holes that Austin Mack exploited in Saskatchewan.
THE PICK: ROUGHRIDERS MONEYLINE (-110)
BONUS PLAYER PROP: JUSTIN RANKIN UNDER 135.5 RUSHING+RECEIVING YARDS
Rankin was less than halfway to this number last week. And, like I wrote last week, Rankin will need to reel off several big plays to rack up so many yards. That’s tough to do when you’re the focus of a good defence. He has home run power, breakaway speed, and I could see him catching a long bomb from Cody Fajardo, but I’ll roll the dice on the Riders holding him under this total again.
