3rd and 1: Best Bets for Division Finals

And then there were four. With just three games left on the CFL schedule, two division winners will be crowned, but only one can hoist the Grey Cup.

The Alouettes have been the favourite since the start of the season, and they maintained that status through the summer. The leaves have turned, the temperature’s dropped, but the birds are still circling. Davis Alexander was named MOP this week, but it’s been five years since the league’s highest individual award recipient also won his final game of the season. Zach Collaros was the last to do it. He’ll be watching from the sidelines as Alexander attempts to follow his hall of fame footsteps.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Montreal Alouettes

What opened as a ten-point spread is now down to 8.5 at FanDuel. It’s still a big number for a playoff game. But the Bombers barely made the playoffs before falling backwards into beating the Argos last week and they’re still without their number one QB. By contrast, the Als are healthy and hungry. The fact that the Bombers won their last meeting with 44 points on the board, will only give Montreal more reason to run it up.

THE PICK: ALOUETTES -8.5

PLAYER PROP: Davis Alexander 10+ Rushing Yards (-114)

Before being hampered by his hamstring last year, Alexander was known for his legs. The dual threat quarterback appeared to make a concerted effort to be one dimensional this season, saving himself for a full season. Alexander rarely had more than one rush attempt per game this year. Except in week 19, when the MOP couldn’t help himself in a Grey Cup rematch against the Riders. He had three carries for 40 yards in that victory. He had 32 rushing yards and a touchdown in last year’s East Semi against these same Bombers. He then had 62 rushing yards in the East Final against the Ti-Cats before being hobbled by the hammy. And on one leg, with a noticeable limp in last year’s Grey Cup game, he still racked up 14 rushing yards.

BC Lions at Edmonton Elks

The Lions opened as a slight favourite, then the line flipped a few times, before settling with the Lions as a slight favourite. It shows how close the West Final could be. The Elks have consistently made their doubters pay, while the there was no better team in the league than the Lions after their 1-5 start.

THE PICK: NO PICK

PLAYER PROP: Austin Mack Over 70.5 Receiving Yards

In his first full season in three years, Austin Mack finished fifth in the CFL with a career-high 1,254 receiving yards. He is unquestionable Cody Fajardo’s most trusted target. In a division clinching game in week 19, he had over 100 yards. He also had a season-high 8 catches for 141 yards in a week 5 win over the Lions.

PLAYER PROP: Nathan Rourke Over 20.5 Rushing Yards

He was quiet in the pocket until late in the third quarter of last week’s West Semi. Suddenly, Rourke took off for a first down, and just when you thought he would step out of bounds, he side-stepped a defender and gained another 10 yards. Especially if the game is close, Rourke should eventually take advantage of a tired defence that is dropping back.