Colleagues and friends are often asking for my CFL picks. So each week I’ll share my thoughts on the upcoming slate of games, and choose winners against the spread. Lining your pockets with some extra money is the end goal, but it’s much easier said than done.
Week 14’s board features two large and two small favourites. Also, Edmonton (5-1) and Ottawa (4-1) put impressive home records on the line. Meanwhile, it’s all about keeping the good times rolling (5-2-1 in the last two weeks). Here we go.
Stampeders (9-3) @ Bombers (4-8)
Last week: Stampeders won 35-23 at home against B.C.; Bombers lost 35–14 in Montreal
After the Jasper Simmons fiasco many people had circled Friday, Sept. 25 on the calendar for the linebacker’s first meeting against Calgary since his agent took to Twitter and ripped the Stampeders, which led to his release. Winnipeg signed Simmons, but he wasn’t able to stay around long enough for the revenge matchup with Calgary. Simmons played in just three games for the Bombers and then he was cut.
Two teams heading in opposite directions meet at Investors Group Field on Friday night. Calgary has won six of their last seven games while Winnipeg has suffered five losses in six outings — the Bombers’ playoff hopes are fading by the week.
The Stamps got Jon Cornish back from a thumb injury in Week 13 and that makes the offence much tougher to defend. And it seems as though Calgary is heating up down the stretch once again.
Line: Stampeders -9.5
Pick: Calgary
Lions (4-7) @ Eskimos (8-4)
Last week: Lions lost 35-23 in Calgary; Eskimos won 25-18 at Hamilton
Edmonton’s defence carried the team to a victory at Tim Hortons Field after Zach Collaros went down with a season-ending knee injury. The Eskimos D had two interception returns for touchdowns, forced and recovered two fumbles and notched three sacks.
Chris Jones’s group picked off rookie quarterback Jeff Mathews three times in the win over Hamilton and Edmonton faces another first-year pivot in Week 14. Jonathon Jennings will start his first career CFL game with Travis Lulay and John Beck sidelined by injuries. Jennings played just over a half of football in Week 13 after Beck left the game with injury. He displayed some intriguing arm talent and athletic ability by throwing for 252 yards on 15 completions.
However, Jennings was picked off three times which is cause for concern, especially when you consider Edmonton has produced a league-high-tying 18 interceptions — Patrick Watkins, Aaron Grymes and John Ojo each have four to sit tied for second in the CFL. The Eskimos defence should overwhelm Jennings in his first pro start.
Line: Eskimos -11
Pick: Edmonton
Argos (6-5) @ Redblacks (7-4)
Last week: Argos enjoyed a bye week; Redblacks won 30-27 at Saskatchewan
Ottawa returns to the nation’s capital after a two-game road swing where they beat B.C. and Saskatchewan in successive contests. Those are hard victories to get no matter the record of the opposition. Overall the Redblacks have won three in a row and have jumped into second place in the East.
Henry Burris — the ageless wonder — has been carving up defences of late throwing for 1,489 yards in his last four games. Considering that Toronto’s defence gives up the most passing yards per game in the league (297.1) and it looks like Good
Hank can keep Ottawa’s offence humming.
Line: Redblacks -2.5
Pick: Ottawa
Alouettes (5-6) @ Riders (1-11)
Last week: Alouettes won 35-14 at home against Winnipeg; Riders lost 30-27 at home against Ottawa
If Jonathan Crompton can give Montreal steady quarterback play down the stretch the Alouettes are going to be a tough out. The third-year CFLer made a couple pinpoint throws in Week 13, his return from a shoulder injury suffered all the way back in Week 1.
Montreal’s defence has been strong and consistent all season. Not once has a team put up more than 26 points versus the Alouettes. It’s a group that doesn’t often get mentioned with Edmonton and Hamilton in the best D in the league conversation, but they are proving to be right there with those two talented units. Pesky linebacker Winston Venable leads Montreal with 61 tackles and he should be getting defensive MOP consideration.
Riding a strong defence, the Als should be able to get a win at Mosaic Stadium.
Line: Alouettes -1.5
Pick: Montreal
Dunk’s overall record against the spread: 15-16-1