WEEK 16 CFL PICKS 2022
A season sweep of the Calgary Stampeders would take the B.C. Lions somewhere they haven’t been in a while.
B.C. (9-3) hosts Calgary (8-5) on Saturday night to complete a home-and-home series. The Lions are 2-0 versus the Stampeders this year following last week’s 31-29 overtime decision at McMahon Stadium.
B.C. took the first meeting 41-40 on Aug. 13, rallying from a 33-21 fourth-quarter deficit at McMahon Stadium.
A win at B.C. Place Stadium would earn the Lions their first CFL playoff spot since 2018. They could still reach the post-season with a loss so long as both Ottawa and Hamilton lose their games this weekend.
That scenario would secure both Calgary and B.C. playoff berths.
Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. was 25-of-31 passing for 294 yards in his first start for the Lions while rushing three times for 32 yards. He led B.C. to its first win since Canadian starter Nathan Rourke suffered a foot injury in a 28-10 victory over Saskatchewan on Aug. 19.
B.C. has a 4-2 record this season at B.C. Place Stadium but Calgary counters with a solid 5-2 road mark. However, the Lions are 6-2 within the West Division while the Stampeders are 4-5, all of their losses having come against Winnipeg (three) and the Leos.
Pick: B.C.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS AT MONTREAL ALOUETTES, FRIDAY
At Montreal, it’s the rubber match of the three-game season series and first meeting between the clubs since the Alouettes (5-7) earned a 29-28 home win Aug. 20 on David Cote’s game-ending 48-yard field goal. The home team comes off the bye following a 31-10 home win over B.C. on Sept. 9 and is 2-3 within the East Division. Hamilton (4-9) defeated Winnipeg 48-31 on Saturday with starter Dane Evans throwing a career-high five TD passes. The Ticats are 0-6 on the road and 3-4 against conference rivals.
Pick: Hamilton.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS AT OTTAWA REDBLACKS, SATURDAY
At Ottawa, the Redblacks (3-9) chase their first win of the year at TD Place – they’re 0-6 there – while looking to make up for a 24-19 home loss to Toronto on Sept. 10 before both teams hit a bye week. The Argos (7-5) can clinch a playoff spot with a victory and would also take the season series 2-1. They’re 5-2 within the East, 3-2 on the road and have won three straight overall. McLeod Bethel-Thompson threw for 365 yards and a TD and pick while Kurleigh Gittens Jr. had eight catches for 161 yards and a touchdown two weeks ago.
Pick: Toronto.
Last week: 0-3.
CP’s overall record: 43-15.
(Canadian Press)
