The CFL heads into Week 14 as eight of the nine teams are in action (as per usual) with the Edmonton Eskimos getting a bye. If there ever was a team that needed a bye right now, it’s the Eskimos. They started the season an impressive 7-0 but have hit a wall since. They have lost five straight games, which is hard to believe. Worse yet has been the collapse of what was one of the league’s best defenses. While the Eskimos had been airtight through their first seven wins, they have allowed more than 30 points in four of their last five games. The lone time that they didn’t hit that mark, they still gave up 25 points.
As cold as they are, the Stampeders are red hot. While the Stamps had a shaky start to the year with those back-to-back tight games against the Ottawa RedBlacks, all has been forgotten since then. The Stamps are now 10-1-1 and are the clear-cut favorite to win the Grey Cup. They have scored the most points in the league (389) and allowed the fewest (222). This week, they’re on the road facing the Saskatchewn Roughriders, who are the second-worst team in the west. We’ll see if they can keep up their hot streak.
Here is a look at the games for Week 14
Ottawa RedBlacks @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Odds: Blue Bombers -6.5
The 8-3 Blue Bombers are favored at home over the 5-7-1 RedBlacks, who lead Toronto by a point in the East, but they would be in last place in the West, where Winnipeg is second. The RedBlacks will likely be down to Ryan Lindley, who replaced the injured Drew Tate, who replaced the injured Trevor Harris, so it is that type of situation for Ottawa. The Blue Bombers are coming off a bye, and they’re 6-4 SU and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings with Ottawa, including a 33-30 win on the road in Week 7.
Pick: Blue Bombers -6.5
Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ British Columbia Lions
Odds: Lions -12
The Tiger-Cats are 2-9 and almost beat Saskatchewan last week, and they’ve played with a ton of confidence and pride over the last three games. The 6-6 Lions fell to Calgary and are in last place in the West, so they need a win to try and get the final playoff spot. The Lions are 7-3 SU and ATS in their last 10 meetings with the Tiger-Cats, including a 41-26 win on the road in Hamilton in Week 4. However, Travis Lulay is probably out for the Lions, which means Jonathon Jennings will be under center and he is wildly inconsistent.
Pick: Tiger-Cats +12
Montreal Alouettes @ Toronto Argonauts
Odds: Argonauts -7
The Alouettes are 3-9 and probably have to get to second place in the East to make the playoffs, and that spot is held by the 5-7 Argonauts, who are four points ahead of Montreal. The Alouettes are 6-4 SU and ATS in their last 10 meetings with the Argonauts, split both meetings so far this season. The Alouettes won 21-9 at home in Week 8, but the Argonauts returned the favor with a 38-6 rout the following week. Montreal’s offense looked really bad last week, so the edge goes to the Argonauts.
Pick: Argonauts -7
Calgary Stampeders @ Saskatchewan Roughriders
Odds: N/A
This game is off the board as Kevin Glenn is still injured for the 6-5 Roughriders, which means Brandon Bridges could get another start. He played well in a win over Hamilton, but the 10-1-1 Stampeders are rolling through the rest of the league and are the heavy favorites to win the Grey Cup. Their offense has been sputtering as of late, but the defense has been playing out of their minds and that is bad news for whoever Saskatchewan lines up at quarterback. The good news for the Roughriders is that they’re at home. They are 4-1 in front of their home audience compared to 2-4 when on the road. That could be a key factor in what helps them to keep this close.
The Stampeders are 9-1 SU and 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 meetings with the Roughriders, including a 27-10 win in Saskatchewan in Week 5 for Calgary. It would be a major upset if the Roughriders cover in this game, regardless of what the line is.
Pick: Stampeders
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