Well, that's more like it.
Three out of four wins after going one-for-three the previous week. I spent a little more time in the film room, going over the tapes, finding the keys to success. Randall the Handle is big on Meatloaf and he says two out of three ain't bad, so three out of four is even better, right Randy?
I might have been three out of four, but the Argos lost again. Bart's killing me.
Anyhow, the nation's most prolific pontificator of Canadian Football League games - that's me, in case others try to claim that honour - is ready for another week. Anything can happen.
Hey, the Bombers won a game last week - okay, they only beat the Argos - so let's not rule out anything. If the Argos pull off the upset and beat the Alouettes, it'll be a helluva a win.
So, will Perry's Peerless Prognostications pick the Argos again?
You'll have to read on to find out. I'm predicting at least one upset this week.
And as a side note, thank you to all my new found Roughriders' fans. You wanted to bury me earlier in the season, now you shower me with praise.
I'm touched.
Friday
Edmonton (6-6) at Winnipeg (4-8):
The Eskimos are in a funk, in particular at quarterback. For the last six quarters, Ricky Ray has been struggling and, yes, it's not just his fault. The receiving corps continues to let him down. Maybe traveling to Winnipeg and a chance to play against a team outside the division will be the key ingredient. In Week 11, Saskatchewan traveled to Winnipeg and bombed the Bombers 55-10.
There's also some issues for the Eskimos on defence - notwithstanding recording three interceptions last week against Saskatchewan - and some of it is due to injuries. Four starters from last week's game are out, including two on the defensive line. On the back end, there has been a massive makeover due to injuries. Cornerback Byron Parker makes his debut for the Eskimos after the trade from Toronto (still trying to figure that one out). Just have to believe a trip to the 'Peg will help the Eskies' beleaguered confidence. The Bombers have to be absolutely giddy after their big win against the Argos. Hey, after everything that's happened in Winnipeg with Mike Kelly, this was a chance to savour something positive.
Quarterback Michael Bishop lit it up with his best game to date as a Bomber and discovered a new target in Otis Amey, who had six catches for 118 yards. Logically, the Bombers should go after the Eskimos with their air attack. Terrence Edwards should be back in the lineup. Fred Reid is due for big game rushing the ball. He has less than 200 yards in his last four games after his 260-yard effort five games ago against B.C. So the Bombers should really try to get him the ball any way they can, particularly with the Eskies' issue on their defensive line.
If the Bombers can win this game, it will be a major statement that they can compete with the best teams. The Handle has the Eskimos plus-5.
Winner: Winnipeg (Hey, Mike, I've been a big critic of yours, but prove me wrong and win. You're the Lefko longshot play.
Saskatchewan (7-5) at B.C. (5-7):
I'm so into the Riders these days. I watch the games with a watermelon on my head. The Riders showed their heart last week against B.C. They didn't play well, but well enough to win. Darian Durant struggled, but Wes Cates did his job running the ball. I like the Riders' creativity on offence, notably Weston Dressler running against the formation to create confusion.
The Riders are 4-2 on the road. They lost 35-20 in Week 6, a game in which Durant had two touchdowns and two interceptions. It will be interesting to see how the Riders' defence attacks B.C. pivot Buck Pierce. The ends were all over Ricky Ray last week. B.C. played decently against Calgary and arguably had some calls go against them. But B.C. needs to be more consistent. After 12 games they are still struggling to maintain consistency. They are still struggling with injuries and consistency at the quarterback spot. Buck Pierce continues to look as though he is one good shot from going to the injured list again. Facing the Riders, who bring it on with a variety of different looks, this will be a huge challenge.
The easiest way to counteract that is with running back Martell Mallett, who has had a fantastic freshman season. He is particularly hard at stopping upon initial contact. But for the umpteenth time let me state that the Lions will go nowhere unless they find a way to get Geroy Simon the ball. He's had only two games this year with more than 100 yards and only 86 in his last two games on eight catches.
The same stats can basically be said for Paris Jackson, who has also had only two 100-plus yards in a game and has a total of seven catches in his last two games for 77 yards. Maybe the two should to be moved around a bit more, although you could say that both react differently to Pierce and Jarious Jackson. And what of Casey Printers? Something has to give for the Lions' offence to wake up from its slumber. The Lions are rated one point higher by the Handle.
Winner: Saskatchewan
Saturday
Montreal (10-2) at Toronto (3-9):
The Als broke alertly from the gate against Hamilton, which is their modus operandi these days, and had a comfortable lead at the half. So why should this be any differently against the hapless Argos? I truly believe the Als are playing with a greater purpose these days, which is to say they are hungrier and more determined to make statements after a few weeks of some drop-off in play. This should be feeding time for the Als' defence, which is strong across the line. The only way to keep the Als honest is to run the ball. Then there is the Argos. I can't believe Cody Pickett is still the starting quarterback. He just doesn't have the arm strength to get the job done and still makes poor decisions. I think Kerry Joseph should be starting. He had to deal with a new system, a new players and a new head coach and after six games - and a huge loss to Montreal - was banished to the sidelines as a backup. Is the Argos offence any better with Pickett? At least Joseph generated some points coming off the bench. The Argos have some new receivers, but when will they realize Jamal Robertson is their best offensive weapon. Could this be the game where return specialist Dominique Dorsey busts one open? Then again, Larry Taylor is always a threat for Montreal. Als favoured by 10.
Winner: Montreal.
Hamilton (6-6) at Calgary (7-5):
It's funny how the Ticats can look really good and really bad at times. That was a pathetic outing last week against Montreal. When will quarterback Quinton Porter develop some consistency? Whether he's physically injured or psychologically bruised, he is just too hard to peg.
And what has happened to DeAndre Cobb? It's more like Corn-Off-The-Cob these days. The Cobbheads must be going crazy. Get the guy more involved. Defensively, the Ticats need to find the form that helped them beat the Stamps two games ago. But it's going to mean wrapping up on tackles.
The Stamps have yet to really hit the dominant form of a year ago. Quarterback Henry Burris has only a total of 311 yards in his last two games and only 24 completions in 52 throws. Nik Lewis has totally disappeared from the offence with only 16 catches in the last five games and still doesn't have a touchdown catch on the season. Somehow, someway, he has to get more active. Romby Bryant makes his second start off the trade and maybe he'll help create more room for Lewis or, at the very least, give Burris another target.
On a positive note, the Stamps offence has reverted back to a power running game with Joffrey Reynolds, who has four 100-plus rushing yards in four of the last five games. When he's on his game, he's arguably the best running game in the league (Montreal fans may argue in favour of Avon Cobourne)
Defensively, Mike Labinjo returns to the lineup (or say goes the speculation) after missing six games with a broken leg. He's a game-changer in so many ways. Let's see if the revamped defensive line will still see him in the middle or whether he will be switched to the end. Anyway you look at it; it's far too imposing for the Ticats. I suspect this will be feeding time for the Stamps.
Winner: Calgary (Labinjo rules)
Record to date: 32-16
Last week: 3-1
Record picking the Argos to win: Bart is killing me
