Perry Lefko

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on Sportsnet.ca.

Stamps QB can expect a hostile reception from Riders faithful.

It's the last week of the regular season.

The last chance to see if I qualify for the post-season of peerless prognostications.

It's been an interesting season, filled with highs and lows, kind of like the Edmonton Eskimos' year. Some weeks I was as bad as the Toronto Argonauts. Other weeks I ranked right up there with the Montreal Alouettes.

I've learned that pride is indeed a sin according to those who believe it is a rather easy task to pick winners when you don't do it against the spread. So I took the challenge and find myself stuck at .500, sort of like the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who have a chance to go 9-9 with a win against Winnipeg.

Sometimes I have had a hard time believing the criticism directed my way. I can identify with Mike Kelly's pain. Then again, it's best to believe in yourself, much like Casey Printers does, and forget about the criticism.

So, I will try to finish strongly and hope to finish on top. It's much like the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders, as they battle for first place in the West.

So for the third week in a row, I will pick against the spread. If you want to hear more CFL talk, listen Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on TALK 820. The chatter is never dull.

Friday

Edmonton (8-9) at B.C. (8-9)

Hard to believe these two teams actually have the same record. The Eskimos were on a bit of a roll at one point, but have lost three of their last nine starts, and two of the wins came against the lowly Argonauts. Flashy running back Arkee Whitlock has been the most consistent good thing with the Eskimos, notwithstanding the first game in Montreal. The Eskimos need to stay with the running game. Quarterback Ricky Ray and the whole Edmonton passing game has been a huge disappointment. Key receiver Fred Stamps battled the sniffles and a minor leg injury this week, but is expected to play. He is the key to the whole passing game, which has gone south this year. Defensively, Edmonton is near the bottom in most categories, but it needs to apply pressure on the offensive line, notably up the middle. B.C. has had two hard losses in its last two games, facing two of the best teams in the league. The Lions' passing game has really developed, largely because of the creativity and flair of Casey Printers, who has been able to move the pocket and throw the deep ball. Lions are a banged-up team, and the offensive line is a concern without centre Angus Reid, who is gone for the season. Various players on defence are playing with noticeable injuries, but veteran safety Barron Miles returns after missing a game with a bad hammy. The key in this one is whether Printers can continue his amazing play. Lions beat Eskimos twice this year in Edmonton.

Randall The Handle has the Lions by 3½.

And the winner is: Lions to cover.

Saturday

Montreal (14-3) at Toronto (3-14)

Let's not belabour the point. The Als will beat the Argos, it's just by how much. I believe Als head coach Marc Trestman will want to get as much mileage out of his starters to give them a good game heading into the East Final in two weeks. I expect quarterback Anthony Calvillo to play a good portion of the game, likely three quarters. The Als' hungry defence can tee off on the Argos' injury-riddled offensive line and go after rookie quarterback Stephen Reaves. The Argos' season will mercifully come to an end. For rookie head coach Bart Andrus, it will mean a 3-15 record with a loss. For quarterback Kerry Joseph, it will be a sad end to a season and the end of his time in Toronto. He deserved so much better. His career was maligned badly in Toronto. Randall didn't have a line in this game because of the uncertainty of how much the Als' starters will play. I'll make my own line of Als by 11.

And the winner is: Als to cover.

Calgary (10-6-1) at Saskatchewan (9-7-1)

Hard to know what type of Stampeders team will show up. The Stamps have lost so many close games this year, then they win a game last week with an explosive final drive to kick a game-winning field goal. You know the Riders fans will be jacked for this, especially the chance to boo Henry Burris. He is starting to make some plays, especially deep with Romby Bryant, but what's happened to Jeremaine Copeland? Are teams blanketing him? Running back Joffrey (All World) Reynolds is the key to the Stamps' game with his consistency running the ball. You know Riders defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry will be throwing all kinds of looks at the offence. The Riders simply threw craps against Hamilton last weekend. Was it the flu that bugged the Riders? They were lousy from the opening drive. We'll chalk that up to one of those games, although the onus is all on Darian Durant. This can be a defining game for him. He will be facing all kinds of pressure from Stamps defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones and his aggressive blitzing. The Riders have had some really tough games in recent weeks and have started to develop some key injuries. They just might be tired, but playing at home will allow them to get pumped up. The Handle has Riders by 1½.

And the winner is: Calgary and the points.

Sunday

Hamilton (8-9) at Winnipeg (7-10)

Ticats have found some rhythm in recent weeks with quarterback Kevin Glenn. He returns to the town where he was roundly and soundly dissed. You know he'll be motivated by this. Glenn has helped to settle the Ticats, who consistently fell behind with rattled quarterback Quinton Porter. The running game lit it up last week. The defence simply annihilated the Riders. Was that a one-game peak? The likelihood is Hamilton comes down a peg -- pun intended -- but not by much. Winnipeg suffered a real drop in the last game. We won't call it a lack of focus because we don't want to upset Mike Kelly. It was simply the Als putting the boots to Winnipeg because Anthony Calvillo returned to the lineup. He didn't play the week before and that clearly aided the Bombers, who also lit it up on offence. This is a chance for Michael Bishop to rise to the occasion in the biggest game of the season for the Bombers. Hamilton has been dreadful on the road with a 2-6 record -- but again it must be placed in context with the Porter factor -- so Winnipeg needs to get after the Ticats early. They need to really execute their motion offence. The Bombers beat Hamilton in Steeltown a few weeks ago, but the Ticats showed resolve to battle back. But remember this was the game in which Glenn took control of the job after Porter slumped. The Handle has Winnipeg by two.

And the winner is: Hamilton and the points.

Record last week: 2-2

Record against the spread: Even.