If we’ve learned anything yet about the 2016 Canadian Football League season it’s that road teams rule through four weeks. Visitors went a perfect 4-0 in Week 4 and that brings the overall total to 12-3-1 in 2016. When in doubt, go with the road team, especially in the East where no home side has won a game.
Calgary Stampeders (1-1-1) vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-3)
Back in Week 2, Dave Dickenson’s squad ran roughshod over Winnipeg; 36-7 was the score after three quarters with a 36-22 final — Calgary covered the 10.5-point spread. The Stamps visit The Peg with a 5.5-point line difference and enter well rested — Calgary is riding a 13-game win streak when coming off a bye week since 2005.
Since Investors Group Field opened in 2013 the Stampeders are a perfect 4-0 when playing at Winnipeg’s home field.
Drew Willy cannot be trusted with your cash. Repeat that phrase until the Bombers’ supposed franchise quarterback proves otherwise.
Line: Stampeders -5
Pick: Calgary
Ottawa Redblacks (3-0-1) vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-3)
The highest scoring offence in the league travels to Regina for a matchup against the CFL’s worst defence in terms of points allowed per game.
Jaime Elizondo, Ottawa’s first-year offensive coordinator, has that unit humming. Most pundits have been focused on Trevor Harris and Chris Williams slicing up defences, which is valid given the numbers that duo has put up. The Mexico-born coach has kept defences on their toes with his play calling.
Darian Durant won’t play due to a severe ankle sprain suffered on a low hit from B.C.’s Mic’heal Brooks last week. That means Mitchell Gale, who played more than a half after Durant went out, will make his first career start. He moved the offence at times, but the 26-year-old could not prevent the Riders from blowing a 23-10 halftime lead.
Sign me up with the Redblacks.
Line: Redblacks -6
Pick: Ottawa
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-2) vs. Edmonton Eskimos (2-1)
Somewhat quietly Mike Reilly is on a 7,000-yard pace. Keep in mind that Doug Flutie’s single-season passing yards record is 6,619.
Jason Maas and the 2015 Grey Cup MVP have really gotten confortable with one another quickly. The two are extremely competitive which is one reason why they’ve meshed well. Maas and Reilly’s toughest test yet will come against an Orlondo Steinauer-coached Hamilton defence.
The Ticats place premiums on pressuring quarterbacks and forcing turnovers, which is why they lead the league in sacks (17) and turnovers forced (13). Linebacker Simoni Lawrence is the leader of Hamilton’s D with his play and trash-talking, while Adrian Tracy, listed as a defensive end, has become a fun chess piece to watch as Steinauer uses the talented defender in a variety of ways.
Line: Eskimos -5
Pick: Hamilton
Montreal Alouettes (1-2) vs. Toronto Argonauts (2-2)
Veteran receiver Nik Lewis put it bluntly after the Alouettes suffered a blowout loss in Week 4: “We [bleepin’] suck.” If players on a given team are admitting they “suck” there’s no way you want to put your hard earned money down on that group.
Toronto was in control against Ottawa leading 13-0 midway through the second quarter, but the Argonauts started leaking and eventually the ship sunk. Just over 12,000 fans took in that game at BMO Field as the Argos fell to 0-2 at their new home field. The double blue could really use a victory there to try and get the city energized about the team.
Line: Argos -6.5
Pick: Toronto
Overall record against the spread: 8-8