CFL betting trends, odds and predictions for Week 7 from various handicappers and websites
CFL Betting Recap - Week 6
By Joe Williams
VegasInsider.com
League Betting Notes
Favorites went 4-0 SU in Week 6
Favorites went 3-1 ATS in Week 6
Home teams posted a 4-0 SU record in Week 6
Home teams posted a 3-1 ATS record in Week 6
The 'Over' went 4-0 in Week 6
Analysis
Poor Hamilton (0-5). After an exciting first few games in Week 6, the TiCats were embarrassed in Calgary (4-1-1) to wrap up the CFL card.
And it wasn't just a beating, or a blowout...it was a massacre. The Stampeders cruised to a 60-1 victory over the TiCats, including 30 of those points in the second quarter. Calgary had a pair of defensive/special teams touchdowns, as Ray Finch ripped off a punt return for score, making like former Argonauts return great Pinball Clemons, dodging and darting through Hamilton tacklers. Shaq Richardson also had a pick-six, and almost had another one earlier in the game.
Calgary has won 13 straight at home against Hamilton, but none of the victories have been as emphatic. The Stamps nearly set a franchise record in points, missing out on their previous best of 62. They did however set a new team mark for margin of victory, smashing the old record of 50. Lost in all of the hoopla was the injury to WR Kamar Jorden, who suffered a leg injury early in the first half.
The Stamps needed a victory, because provincial rival Edmonton (5-0) picked up a solid 37-26 win over the BC Lions (4-2) to keep their record unblemished.
Team Betting Notes
The eye-popping 60 points for the Stamps was impressive, but they also held the TiCats to the league's lowest scoring output of the season, allowing just the one single. Calgary's defense has been suffocating lately, allowing just 12.8 points per game (PPG) over the past four outings, including 5.5 PPG in their past two home outings. Calgary has also covered in back-to-back games for the first time this season.
The Esks have won five in a row, although they hadn't exactly been dominating until Week 6. Edmonton's first four games were decided by an average of 3.0 PPG, and they opened 1-3 ATS. Their cover in Week 6 was their first since also covering in Vancouver against BC back on June 24.
Montreal (2-4) will be smarting for a long, long time after their loss on Thursday in Winnipeg (3-2). The Alouettes were leading 40-28 on the road, looking to even up at 3-3. However, in just 44 seconds the Blue Bombers were able to make that 12-point deficit disappear, taking a 41-40 lead. To make matters worse, they have two weeks off to think about it before resuming play Aug. 11 at home against Toronto (3-3).
Speaking of the Argos, they have alternated wins and losses in all six of their outings. Odd-numbered weeks have resulted in wins, and even-numbered weeks have been setbacks. That includes a disappointing 38-27 loss at Saskatchewan (2-3). Toronto is now 0-3 ATS over the past three games, and 1-4 ATS over the past five.
The Roughriders got off to a rough start, losing their first two games. However, those two setbacks were by a total of four points, including a narrow one-point loss to the Als in Week 1. The only time Saskatchewan has looked overmatched was in their 27-10 loss on July 22 in a trip to Calgary. The 'over' has hit in three of the past four for the Riders, as they have scored 37 or more points in three of their past four outings.
Winnipeg's offense continues to hit on all cylinders, going for 41 or more points in back-to-back games, and three of their first five overall. As such, the 'over' is 4-1 through their first give games. Their defense leaves a lot to be desired, however, yielding 35.8 PPG through five outings.
CALGARY (4 - 1 - 1) at TORONTO (3 - 3) - 8/3/2017, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 126-93 ATS (+23.7 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest since 1996.
CALGARY is 45-27 ATS (+15.3 Units) in August games since 1996.
TORONTO is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 20-39 ATS (-22.9 Units) in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 52 since 1996.
TORONTO is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 3-1 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 4-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG (3 - 2) at OTTAWA (1 - 4 - 1) - 8/4/2017, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OTTAWA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in games where the line is +3 to -3 over the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road lined games over the last 2 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 52 over the last 3 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OTTAWA is 2-2 against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 3-1 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
HAMILTON (0 - 5) at EDMONTON (5 - 0) - 8/4/2017, 9:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HAMILTON is 41-23 ATS (+15.7 Units) in road games when playing on a Friday since 1996.
EDMONTON is 37-61 ATS (-30.1 Units) after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
HAMILTON is 4-2 against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 4-2 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SASKATCHEWAN (2 - 3) at BRITISH COLUMBIA (4 - 2) - 8/5/2017, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) off a loss against a division rival over the last 3 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 79-55 ATS (+18.5 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 129-94 ATS (+25.6 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 5-0 against the spread versus SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 6-0 straight up against SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY vs. TORONTO
Calgary is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Calgary is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Calgary
WINNIPEG vs. OTTAWA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 5 games on the road
Winnipeg is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Ottawa's last 13 games when playing Winnipeg
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Winnipeg
HAMILTON vs. EDMONTON
Hamilton is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Edmonton
Hamilton is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Edmonton is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Hamilton
Edmonton is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games at home
SASKATCHEWAN vs. BRITISH COLUMBIA
Saskatchewan is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
Saskatchewan is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of British Columbia's last 13 games when playing at home against Saskatchewan
The total has gone OVER in 6 of British Columbia's last 9 games
CALGARY @ TORONTO
Calgary is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Calgary is 19-3-1 SU in its last 23 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games
WINNIPEG @ OTTAWA
Winnipeg is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 5 games on the road
Ottawa is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games
HAMILTON @ EDMONTON
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Hamilton's last 5 games
Hamilton is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
Edmonton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Edmonton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
SASKATCHEWAN @ BRITISH COLUMBIA
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Saskatchewan's last 16 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Saskatchewan's last 19 games when playing British Columbia
British Columbia is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Saskatchewan
British Columbia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Saskatchewan
CFL Betting Notes - Week 7
By David Schwab
VegasInsider.com
Winnipeg got things started last week in the CFL with a wild last-second 41-40 victory against Montreal as a four-point home favorite. On Friday night, Edmonton remained perfect on the year with its 37-26 win at home against British Columbia as a 2½-point favorite on the closing line.
Saturday’s double header of action started with Saskatchewan outpacing Toronto 38-27 to cover as a 2½-point home favorite. Later that night, Calgary crushed Hamilton 60-1 as a heavy 12½-point favorite at home to move into second place in the West Division while keeping the Tiger-Cats winless on the year.
Thursday, Aug. 3
Calgary Stampeders (4-1-1 SU, 3-3 ATS) vs. Toronto Argonauts (3-3 SU, 2-4 ATS)
Point-spread: Calgary -4½
Total: 54½
Game Overview
Calgary has been able to reestablish itself as one of the top CFL powers following a fluky loss to Montreal in Week 4 with a pair of lopsided victories in its last two games against Saskatchewan and Hamilton by a combined score of 87-11. The Stampeders are averaging 35.5 points per game behind Bo Levi Mitchell at quarterback and running back Jerome Messam. One injury concern for Thursday would be wide receiver Kamar Jordan, who leads the team in receiving yards.
The Argonauts are a perfect 3-0 straight-up (2-1 against the spread) in the friendly confines of the watered-down East Division, but they fall to 0-3 (SU and ATS) against the West this season. Their defense has allowed a total of 99 points in those three setbacks and they have been outscored by a combined 32 points in inter-division play.
Betting Trends
Calgary is 4-1 both SU and ATS in its last five road games against Toronto and the total has stayed UNDER in four of the last six meetings overall.
Friday, Aug. 4
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) vs. Ottawa RedBlacks (1-4-1 SU, 5-1 ATS)
Point-spread: Ottawa -3
Total: 58½
Game Overview
The Blue Bombers needed some last-second heroics to get past Montreal last week, but with quarterback Matt Nichols playing at a very high level this season, this is another offense that knows how to put points on the board with an average of 33.8 PPG. The reason for the up and down start has been a very porous defense that has allowed an average of 35.8 points over its first five games.
After playing two games in a span of six days in a crazy Week 5 expanded schedule, Ottawa definitely needed last week’s bye as a chance to regroup. The slow start for the defending Grey Cup Champs is more a product of its early season schedule than its overall play on the field. This week’s matchup should be a good test against a team the RedBlacks are expected to beat at home.
Betting Trends
Winnipeg has lost four of the last five meetings against Ottawa SU, but it has a 6-3 edge ATS in the last nine games between these two teams. The total has gone OVER in four of the last six meetings in Ottawa.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-5 SU, 1-4 ATS) vs. Edmonton Eskimos (5-0 SU, 2-3 ATS)
Point-spread: Edmonton -14
Total: 55½
Game Overview
Things could easily go from bad to worse this week in light of last Saturday night’s no-show against Calgary. After going 14-for-21 for 102 passing yards, the Tiger-Cats replaced an ineffective Zach Collaros with backup Jeremiah Masoli. He proceeded to complete just seven of his 15 attempts for 77 yards. In four previous games against teams from the West, Hamilton has allowed an average of 42.3 PPG including 41 points in a previous loss to Edmonton in Week 5.
The Eskimos have done just about everything right in its perfect SU start. They are averaging 28.8 PPG behind Mike Reilly at quarterback, but more importantly their defense has remained rather stout with a points-allowed average of 24.2. Edmonton did allow 28 points on the road in that first meeting against the Tiger-Cats and it did need an 18-3 rally in the fourth quarter just to come away with the SU win.
Betting Trends
Edmonton has won 11 of its last 15 home games against Hamilton SU, but the Tiger-Cats have been able to cover ATS in four of their last five trips to Commonwealth Stadium. The total has gone OVER in four of those last five meetings in Edmonton.
Saturday, Aug. 5
Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-3 SU, 3-2 ATS) vs. British Columbia Lions (4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS)
Point-spread: Lions -4½
Total: 57
Game Overview
While the Roughriders have gone 2-1 SU at home this season with a scoring average of 38.3 PPG after putting up 38 points against Toronto last week, they are still looking for their first SU win on the road after posting a combined 26 points in losses to Montreal and Calgary. You still have to be impressed with the early play of Kevin Glenn as the team’s starting quarterback after throwing for 1,598 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first five games including four scores in last week’s win.
BC has looked like world beaters against every team it has faced this season that is not named Edmonton. This will the first of a home-and-home series against Saskatchewan that changes venues for the next meeting on Aug. 13. Travis Lulay came back to earth in his last start against the Eskimos after crossing the 400-yard mark in passing yards in each of his first two games replacing Jonathon Jennings at quarterback. He has also tossed six interceptions to go with his seven touchdown throws.
Betting Trends
BC brings a five-game winning streak against Saskatchewan both SU and ATS into Saturday night’s tilt. The total has gone OVER in four of the last six meetings in this West Division rivalry.
CFL Week 7
Calgary (4-1-1) @ Toronto (3-3) — Stampeders crushed hapless Hamilton 60-1 last week; it was 39-1 at the half. Calgary is just 1-1-1 on road, 1-2 as a road favorite- home teams covered five of their six games this year— over is 4-2 in their games. Toronto has gone WLWLWL this year; they’re 2-1 at home, losing 28-15 to BC. Four of their six games stayed under total. Calgary won six games in a row against the Argos, winning last three played here, by 18-5-7 points. Three of last four series games stayed under.
Winnipeg (3-2) @ Ottawa (1-4-1) — Blue Bombers were down 40-28 with 1:00 to play LW and then stunned Montreal, 41-40. RedBlacks’ four losses are by total of 11 points; throw in the tie and they’re 11 points from being 6-0. Ottawa won four of last five games with Winnipeg; three of last four series games stayed under. Blue Bombers’ last two games were decided by total of four points; they’re 1-1 on road, winning in OT at Regina, losing 45-42 at BC. Over is 4-1 in Winnipeg games; last four Ottawa games stayed under.
Hamilton (0-5) @ Edmonton (5-0) — TiCats got eviscerated 60-1 last week; they’re 0-4-1 vs spread, losing road games this year, by 17-17-59 points- their lone cover was a 31-28 home loss to the Eskimos two weeks ago. Edmonton outgunned them 417-265. TiCats’ last four games went over. Edmonton is 5-0, with four wins by four or less points; Eskimos are 1-2 as a home favorite, winning home games by 4-2-11 points. Under is 3-2 in Edmonton games this season. Road team won last six series games; Hamilton won last two visits here, 37-31/49-20.
Saskatchewan (2-3) @ BC Lions (4-2) — Lions had their 4-game win streak snapped at Edmonton last week; they split pair of 3-point decisions in their two home games. BC is 3-0 if they allow 26 or less points; they gave up 30-37 in their two losses. Lions’ last three games all went over the total. Roughriders scored 37-38 points in their two wins, 16-40-10 points in their losses- they scored 16-10 points in their two road games. Three of their last four games went over. BC beat Saskatchewan three times last year, winning by 13-18-23 points.
Favorites vs spread for season: 12-12-1
Over/Under: 13-12
Armadillosports.com
Thursday's CFL Betting Preview: Stampeders at Argonauts
Covers.com
Calgary Stampeders at Toronto Argonauts (+5, 54.5)
The Calgary Stampeders look to build off their record-breaking performance when they hit the road to take on the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday. The Stampeders routed the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 60-1 in Week 6 to register their largest margin of victory in franchise history while extending their home winning streak to 13 games, and hope to continue their dominance of the Argonauts by notching their seventh consecutive victory in the series.
Calgary has won the last four meetings in Toronto, including an emphatic 48-20 triumph at BMO Field in 2016, and hope to scorch an Argonauts' defence, which has surrendered 31.7 points over their last three contests overall. Toronto looks to bounce back from a disappointing 38-27 setback to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The first-place Argonauts seemed poised to create some separation at the top of the East Division, but were outscored 18-3 in the fourth quarter, and hope to rebound by notching their first win against Calgary since a 33-27 victory Sept. 21, 2013. "We came up short and we're disappointed but we're not discouraged as we're ready to move on," Toronto coach Marc Trestman told reporters. "We have a game in a couple of days so our guys have to have amnesia right now and put it behind them."
LINE HISTORY: The Stampeders opened as four-point road favorites and by Wednesday night they were bet up to five-point faves. The total opened at 54.5 and still sits on that opening number.
ABOUT THE STAMPEDERS (4-1-1 SU, 3-3 ATS, 4-2 O/U): Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 197 yards and a score in two quarters against Hamilton to extend his touchdown passing streak to 18 games in a row and Jerome Messam rushed for 91 yards and three touchdowns to take his league-leading total to 414. Marken Michel had a career night as he hauled in six passes for 190 yards and a touchdown off the bench after Kamar Jorden, who leads the league with four TD catches, suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter. "Unfortunately KJ went down but hopefully it isn't a bad injury," Michel told reporters. "Coach (Dave Dickenson) preaches the next man up and you have to have that mentality."
ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (3-3 SU, 2-4 ATS, 2-4 O/U): Ricky Ray completed 28-of-38 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns against Saskatchewan to become Toronto's all-time leader in passing yards (16,634), eclipsing Condredge Holloway long-standing mark of 16,619. Ray (305) also moved past Matt Dunigan (303) for fifth place on the CFL's all-time passing touchdowns list with a 14-yard scoring strike to S.J. Green in the second quarter. Linebacker Bear Woods showed no ill effects of the head injury he suffered in the 27-24 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks on July 24 as he led the team with eight tackles against the Roughriders.
TRENDS:
* Stampeders are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games in Week 7.
* Argonauts are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss.
* Under is 5-0 in Stampeders last 5 games in August.
* Under is 4-0 in Argonauts last 4 home games.
* Stampeders are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings in Toronto.
EXTRA POINTS:
* The Stampeders are 8-2-1 in their last 11 games against East Division opponents.
* Argonauts RB Anthony Coombs has caught eight or more passes in each of his last three contests.
* Ray has thrown for more than 300 yards in six straight games, which is the longest streak of his career.
CONSENSUS: The road favorite Stampeders are getting 65 percent of the action from users and the Over is picking up 62 percent of the totals wagers. View full consensus data for this matchup here.
Friday’s CFL Betting Preview
Covers.com
Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Ottawa Redblacks (-2.5, 57.5)
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers look to ride the momentum gained from one of the most miraculous comebacks in recent memory when they face the Ottawa Redblacks on the road Friday. The Blue Bombers scored two touchdowns in the final 44 seconds of the fourth quarter, including the game-winning score as time expired, to stun the Montreal Alouettes and hope to keep pace in an ultra-competitive West Division by notching back-to-back victories for the first time in 2017.
"It's a group that refuses to give up and I can't be more proud of our guys," Winnipeg quarterback Matt Nichols told reporters. "When it comes down to playoff seeding that might be one of the games to look back on that made all the difference." Ottawa is coming off a bye week and hopes to have made the proper adjustments to combat a disappointing start to the season. The defending Grey Cup champions have dropped four games by a combined 10 points, including a 27-24 setback to the Toronto Argonauts in Week 5, and look to turn their fortunes around by taking advantage of a Winnipeg defence, which ranks second-last in points allowed (35.8 ), yards allowed (418.6) and passing yards allowed (358.2) per game. "It was good to step away for a few days and hit the reset button," Ottawa coach Rick Campbell told reporters. "Everything is still in front of us and there's a whole lot of football left to be played."
LINE HISTORY: The Redblacks opened as 2.5-point home chalk and that number was bet up as high as 3 and has since faded down to 2. The total hit the betting board at 58 and has yet to move off the opening number.
ABOUT THE BLUE BOMBERS (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS, 4-1 O/U): Nichols threw for 358 yards and two touchdowns while Andrew Harris continued his stellar play as he accounted for 134 yards and two rushing touchdowns, including the game-winning 1-yard run against Montreal. Wide receiver Weston Dressler, who leads the team in receiving yards (342) missed practice this week with a lower-body injury suffered against the Alouettes and is doubtful for Friday's clash. Defensive back Maurice Leggett, who is one of the leaders of the secondary, is expected to return to the lineup after missing the last two games with a lower-body injury.
ABOUT THE REDBLACKS (1-4-1 SU, 5-1 ATS, 2-4 O/U): Offensive lineman Jake Silas could be in line to make his first start of 2017 after suffering a shoulder injury late last season and linebacker Ron Omara is inching closer to a return after practicing for the first time Monday. Trevor Harris hopes to bounce back from a pedestrian outing by his lofty standards as he was limited to 184 passing yards in the loss to Toronto to finish with fewer than 200 yards for the first time this season. Ottawa signed dynamic punt returner/wide receiver Quincy McDuffie, who led the league in kickoff return average (27.7) with Winnipeg in 2016, to a two-year deal after he was released by the Dallas Cowboys.
TRENDS:
* Blue Bombers are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 road games.
* RedBlacks are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
* Over is 9-0 in Blue Bombers last 9 road games.
* Over is 14-3 in Blue Bombers last 17 games overall.
* Over is 4-0 in RedBlacks last 4 games following a bye week.
CONSENSUS: The road dog Blue Bombers are getting 53 percent of the money line action from users and the Under is getting 52 percent of the totals wagers.
EXTRA POINTS:
* Ottawa has won four of the last five meetings with Winnipeg.
* Blue Bombers WR Clarence Denmark has caught 10 touchdown passes in his last 15 games.
* Harris leads the CFL in touchdown passes with 12.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Edmonton Eskimos (-14,55)
The Edmonton Eskimos look to stay unbeaten when they host the winless Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday. The Eskimos had won their first four games by an average margin of three points before rising to the occasion with a 37-26 victory against the BC Lions in Week 6 to remain in first place in the West Division, and hope to improve to 6-0 for the first time since 1961.
The Eskimos have won their last eight regular-season games against East Division opponents, including a 31-28 victory over the Tiger-Cats on July 20, and try to extend their home winning streak to six games overall. Hamilton is left to pick up the pieces following one of the most lopsided losses in CFL history. The Tiger-Cats surrendered eight touchdowns in the 60-1 setback to the Calgary Stampeders, which was the third-largest margin of defeat in league history, to fall to 0-5 for the first time since 2007, and hope to stop the bleeding by notching their first victory against the Eskimos after three straight losses in the series. "This is a pretty low point but I have a strong belief in our ability to overcome these things," Hamilton coach Kent Austin told reporters. "We were not a good football team but we'll be better this week."
LINE HISTORY: The undefeated Eskimos opened as massive 14-point home favorites against the winless Tiger-Cats and that line appears fine with bettors and has yet to move. The total opened at 55 and has been bet up a half-point to an even 55.5.
ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (0-5 SU, 0-4-1 ATS, 4-1 O/U): All-star linebacker Simoni Lawrence, who led the team with 90 tackles last season, is expected to return Friday after missing the Calgary game with a lower-body injury. Defensive back Abdul Kanneh, who was one of Hamilton's marquee free-agent acquisitions in the winter, played his first game of the season in Week 6, but suffered an undisclosed injury and is back on the sidelines. Austin is sticking with Zach Collaros at quarterback despite the former Cincinnati Bearcats star's struggles this season as he sits last in completion percentage (62.4), passing yards (228.6) and touchdown passes (three) among active starters.
ABOUT THE ESKIMOS (5-0 SU, 2-2-1 ATS, 3-2 O/U): Mike Reilly completed 24-of-33 passes for 412 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns in the win against BC to move past the legendary Warren Moon (1,369) in third place on Edmonton's all-time completions list. Vidal Hazelton hauled in eight passes for 159 yards and a score, including an 108-yard touchdown grab in the second quarter, which was the longest TD catch in franchise history, surpassing Jason Tucker's 105-yarder in 2005. Sean Whyte, who has made 13-of-14 field goal attempts this season, suffered a leg injury against the Lions and will be replaced by rookie kicker Hugh O'Neill.
TRENDS:
* Eskimos are 0-2-2 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
* Over is 4-0 in Tiger-Cats last 4 games overall.
* Tiger-Cats are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings in Edmonton.
* Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Edmonton.
CONSENSUS: The home chalk Eskimos are getting 56 percent of the action from users and the Over is picking up 58 percent of the totals wagers.
EXTRA POINTS:
* Edmonton has won 10 of its last 11 regular-season games.
* Hamilton is averaging a CFL-worst 18 points per contest.
* Eskimos WR Brandon Zylstra has recorded 107 or more receiving yards in three consecutive games.
Saturday's CFL Betting Preview: Roughriders at Lions
Covers.com
Saskatchewan Roughriders at BC Lions (-7, 55.5)
The BC Lions look to stay within striking distance of top spot in the West Division when they host the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the first game of a home-and-home set Saturday. The Lions are coming off a 37-26 loss to the undefeated Edmonton Eskimos to fall into third place in the race for the division title and hope to get back on the winning track by beating the Roughriders for the seventh straight time after sweeping the season series for the last two years.
BC has won the last two home meetings with Saskatchewan by an average margin of 24.5 points while putting up 40 or more points in the process. The Roughriders are feeling good about themselves after knocking off the East Division-leading Toronto Argonauts 38-27 in Week 6. Saskatchewan racked up 18 points in the fourth quarter to pull away for the victory and hopes to parlay that success with its first win over the Lions since a 20-16 triumph Aug. 24, 2014. "You have to win home games and you've got to win division games," Saskatchewan wide receiver Bakari Grant told reporters. "We won a home game and now we have some division games coming up that will provide us with a good opportunity to show what we're made of."
LINE HISTORY: The Lions opened this West Division matchup as 5.5-point home faves and bettors jumped all over that number, moving the line all the way to BC -7. When it comes to the total the number hit the board at 56 and has been bet down slightly to the current number of 55.5. Check out the complete line history here.
INJURY REPORT:
Roughriders - K Q. Van Gylswyk (Questionable Saturday, undisclosed), DL Ese Mrabure (Questionable Saturday, undisclosed), WR C. Owens (Mid August, foot), DB T. Campbell (Mid August, undisclosed), WR R. Collins (Late August, shoulder), OL R. White (Early September, undisclosed), K T. Crapinga (Late September, lower body).
Lions - WR C. Williams (Probable Saturday, knee), WR S. Adekolu (Questionable Saturday, undiscosed), DT B. Turner Jr. (Questionable Saturday, undisclosed), OL A. Johnson (Questionable Saturday, undisclosed), DE A. Hudson (Questionable Saturday, undisclosed), DB S. Clarke (Questionable Saturday, undisclosed), QB J. Jennings (Doubtful Saturday, shoulder), DB T.J. Lee III (Early September, elbow), OL J. Dhillon (Early September, bicep), S K. Parker (Mid September, shuolder).
ABOUT THE ROUGHRIDERS (2-3, 3-2 ATS, 3-2 O/U): Duron Carter was named one of the CFL's Top Performers of the Week after catching nine passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns against Toronto. Kicker Tyler Crapigna (13-of-15) was placed on the six-game injured list after pulling a muscle against Toronto and will be replaced by second-year Canadian Quinn van Gylswyk, who struggled in his only appearance of 2016, missing two of his three attempts against the Calgary Stampeders. Free-agent acquisition Chad Owens practiced for the first time since suffering a leg injury in training camp and the veteran slotback could be ready to make his season debut in two weeks.
ABOUT THE LIONS (4-2, 3-3 ATS, 3-3 O/U): Defensive back T.J. Lee made three tackles and an interception before dislocating his elbow in the second quarter and will be sidelined for the next month. Dynamic wide receiver Chris Williams, who had 77 receptions for 1,246 yards and 10 touchdowns with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2016, is set to make his debut after recovering from a torn ACL suffered late last season. Manny Arceneaux caught six passes for 38 yards and a touchdown despite playing with a sore knee and is questionable for Saturday while Jeremiah Johnson accounted for 74 total yards and a score to extend his touchdown streak to six games.
TRENDS:
* Lions are 4-0 ATS in their last four games when favored by seven points or greater.
* Roughriders are 0-5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
* Under is 5-2 in Roughriders last seven road games.
* Over is 6-2 in Lions last eight home games.