Peerless Week 13 picks

The Peerless One still can't believe what happened last week.

He finished 3-1, but is still shaking his head over the Saskatchewan/Toronto game. Peerless picked Saskatchewan to beat Toronto and cover the seven-point spread, but the Riders just didn't seem to have it and Peerless was prepared to concede defeat.

However, the football gods were in a generous mood. Trailing 19-14 going into the final quarter, the Roughriders took advantage of three turnovers and won 30-20. Imagine that, a 16-1 difference in 15 minutes. The wise football sage, Runako Reth, reminded me a few weeks ago that there are four quarters in the game after I tweeted that Winnipeg was headed for a blowout victory over Hamilton after leading 17-3 in the second quarter, only to see the Cats scratch back to tie the game at the half. The Bombers eked out a three-point win, which provided Peerless with a push because Winnipeg was favoured by three. But Peerless learned yet another valuable lesson about getting too bold, and to think before tweeting, so thank you, Runako, for putting me in my place.

Peerless plays in football pools and finds it nervewracking because it takes three hours - and in some cases longer - to find out the outcome. Peerless plays the ponies and likes the fact the results are over in a hurry. Peerless wonders what it must be like for people who are betting on the games and the emotional highs and lows they endure.

So, having dispensed that, we present Week 13 of Peerless Picks. May all your picks come true.

Friday

Montreal (6-5) at Edmonton (7-4)

Als are playing on a short week, following a physical game against the Bombers. The Als don't play well in these situations, but how many teams do? It takes at least two days to physically recover from games, so realistically the Als had limited time to prepare for this game and they are already hurting.

The Als' secondary has been decimated by injuries, so you known Eskimos quarterback Ricky Ray will be going at it quickly. The onus will be on Montreal to get to him and knock him off his game - kind of what Winnipeg did to Anthony Calvillo last week.

Montreal made a mockery of the Eskimos earlier this season, but Edmonton was minus many of its receivers. Quite simply, this challenge is far greater. Als should do what Eskimos did in their last game: get the ball to their star receiver early on simple pass plays. You just know Jamel Richardson won't be limited to only four catches similar to last week. If it happens, then the Als are in trouble.

Wonder if the Als will try to involve running back Brandon Whitaker in some plays to slow down Edmonton's pass rush, which is getting better, combined with moving Greg Peach to linebacker?

Eskimos' receiving corps is not as talented as the Als', but Jason Barnes returns this week after healing from damaged ribs, so that means the receiving corps, which contributed to a 5-0 start, is back intact. Ray loves to go deep against a secondary with issues. Then again, if running back Jerome Messam is running over the opposition as he did last week, Ray's job is much easier.

Really like the way the Eskimos are coming together. They pounded the stuffing out of Hamilton last week, and Hamilton has given Montreal a real challenge this year. When you consider the Eskimos have lost only one game this season with receiver Fred Stamps in the lineup, combined with what he did last week against Hamilton, you have to like Edmonton's chances. The way the Eskimos rush ends are playing - Marcus Howard is a stud - this could be tough on Calvillo.

Als are favoured by 1½.

And the pick is Edmonton and the points.

Saturday

B.C. (5-6) at Saskatchewan (4-7)

Great game, featuring two of the hottest teams in the league. Lions have won four in a row and proved they are legit beating Calgary on the road.

When you talk about the Fred Stamps factor, how about the Arland Bruce factor? The Lions are 4-1 since the acquisition of the Handsome King. He has become a difference maker in so many ways. The younger receivers are coming into their own and Travis Lulay is arguably the hottest quarterback in the league and is playing with confidence and poise. You look at how he has developed and this is a clear illustration of a young star on the rise. His trajectory of improvement is clearly noticeable.

We've noted in recent weeks how the Lions' defence is coming together with some key changes in personnel and scheme. If you count how many games the Lions lost this year because of unforced errors, then their recent record is not a fluke.

The Riders are 3-0 since Ken Miller came back to the sidelines after firing his rookie head coach. The big difference for this team is the play of quarterback Darian Durant - although he was off his game last week - and receiver Chris Getzlaf, who could be heading for Outstanding Canadian Player honours if he continues on his current pace. He suffered an ankle injury in practice this week, but is expected to play. Andy Fantuz is doubtful with a wonky ankle suffered last week. Defensive back Lance Frazier is out, replaced by Eddie Russ.

The defence played its heart out against Toronto last week, and is another factor in the turnaround. Pressure on the quarterback is happening compared to a lack of it earlier in the season. My question is this: Can the Riders play better at home? They are 2-4 this year. They are also winless in their division. Yes, you could chalk both of these factors to the previous coaching staff, but this will be the litmus test.

Riders are favoured by 1½.

And the pick is Lions and the points.

Winnipeg (8-3) at Toronto (2-9)

Blue Bombers showed their heart and character winning in Montreal last week. This challenge isn't nearly as formidable.

Bombers are 4-1 on the road. Their only weakness is their offence, although it flourished last week, so perhaps that is a good sign going forward. Running back Fred Reid finally busted loose. I wonder if the Bombers' defence, which is not nearly as cocky these days with all that Swaggerville talk, will decide to feast on the Argos or will disappoint?

The Argos' offensive line has been decimated by injuries and will be without two-fifths of their starters. You have to think this is going to get ugly. Only hope is for Argos pivot Steven Jyles, who started several games for the Bombers last year, will be inspired facing his former team. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the same talent surrounding him. Argos are honouring their 1991 edition, which won the Grey Cup. This team will be lucky to win a few more games.

Bombers favoured by 3½.

And the pick is Bombers to cover.

Sunday

Calgary (7-4) against Hamilton (5-6) in Moncton

Have I said the Stamps are a frustrating team? Yeah, all season. But they are undefeated on the road.

Though this is technically a neutral game, the Stamps may feel looser away from home. For whatever reason, they simply have come undone in recent weeks in front of their home crowd. Quarterback Henry Burris is a prime example of this. Maybe this will be a "Good Hank" week.

Receiver Nik Lewis was upset after last week's game because he wasn't seeing the ball a lot. Well, when you make as many turnovers as the Stamps did, it's cutting back on everyone's game. Lewis is a hell of a receiver. He makes plays and maybe he will take out his frustration on the Ticats. Still feel the Stampeders aren't giving the ball enough to Joffrey Reynolds. He's a horse. Use him more.

The Ticats have been fairly easy to handicap this year. They have failed to put together any consistency, so it's often easy just to pick the other team as the 'dog or the favourite. Cats were booed by their own fans last week. Come to think of it, both these teams were. The fans in Moncton will be giving lots of love to both teams.

The Cats need to get way more production out of receiver Dave Stala, who has been in a funk of late. The Cats' running game is terribly inconsistent, same with their quarterbacking.

The Cats are winless in two without centre Marwan Hage, who is not expected to play while recovering from a knee injury. As usual, there are questions about the Cats' secondary. And let's just say some of the defensive schemes are curious. Stevie Baggs should be asked to do only one thing: run to the quarterback. Asking him to do anything else is a waste of time and money. The Cats are paying him big bucks to sack the quarterback, not drop off in coverage.

This is a Pick 'em game.

And the pick is Calgary.

Record last week: 3-1

Record this season: 26-17-1

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