It was a week off for me last week but you could still find my picks on my podcast (Squib Kick Radio). A pretty straightforward week by CFL standards last week except maybe the beating the Stamps handed the Lions. I went 3-0 Money Line and 1-2 Against the Spread last week. I’m now 23-19 ML and 18-24 ATS this season. This week there are some huge playoff implications from almost every game. Let’s see how I see week 12 playing out.
(6-3) Toronto Argonauts @ (5-4) Montreal Alouettes Friday 7:30pm ET
The Argo’s have won three in a row and have looked great with Mcleod Bethel-Thompson under centre the past few weeks. The defence has been better since Chris Jones has arrived and they are firmly in control of their own fate when it comes to finishing first in the East. I think they will be ready for this one. Montreal will start Matthew Shiltz again this week. Trevor Harris is now there and I’m wondering if the pressure on Shiltz will help, or hurt him. I don’t think Montreal is quite where Toronto is and they will lose a close one
Prediction: Argonauts win 26-21
(2-8) Ottawa Redblacks @ (4-5) Hamilton Tiger-Cats Saturday 4:00pm ET
Ottawa is bad, but they haven’t been quite as bad as they were at the beginning of the season. Caleb Evans has turned the ball over too much since becoming the starter. Could we see Duck Hodges at some point this week? Only time will tell. Hamilton has not been great this year. They’ve had trouble with injured QBs and stars. But it appears at least like Brandon Banks will be returning this week. I think Hamilton wins a sloppy one.
Prediction: Tiger-Cats win 23-15
(4-5) BC Lions @ (9-1) Winnipeg Blue Bombers Saturday 7:00pm ET
The Lions are falling. They have lost three straight after looking like they were moving up the standings this year. It doesn’t get much easier this week as they take on the best team in the CFL, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It isn’t going to be easy without Lucky Whitehead. The Bombers seemed a little sleepy against Edmonton last week but that is understandable. I think they bounce back with a full 60 minute effort against the struggling Lions.
Prediction: Blue Bombers win 35-22
(5-4) Saskatchewan Roughriders @ (5-5) Calgary Stampeders Saturday 10:00pm ET
The Riders had their bye last week and have received some reinforcements. Shaq Evans and Duke Williams are both trending towards playing this week which will make Cody Fajardo very happy. This Riders team has lost two straight to Calgary and needs this win. If Saskatchewan wins it will be because their oline played better and gave Cody time, period. Calgary is on a roll after crushing the Lions last week. This team’s defence looks nasty and Bo is back to his old self. With their running game established the Stamps are primed for a playoff run.
Prediction: Stampeders win 27-24
Week 12 Betting odds: (According to BetRegal as of Oct. 21)
TOR @ MTL: Take TOR -1, TOR ML
OTT @ HAM: Take OTT +14.5, HAM ML
BC @ WPG: Take WPG -11.5, WPG ML
SSK @ CGY: Take CGY -1, CGY ML
I think all four of these games are huge for the playoffs. I feel like whoever wins between the Stamps and Riders this week will ultimately finish second in the West. It should be fun! Thanks for reading.
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