Week 7 CFL Picks 2024

EDMONTON AT OTTAWA, Friday

It’s certainly been a hectic week for Jarious Jackson.

Jackson was named Edmonton’s interim head coach Monday after head coach and general manager Chris Jones was fired. The move followed the Elks’ 37-34 home loss to the Ottawa Redblacks on Sunday night.

At least Jackson, who is also Edmonton’s offensive co-ordinator and quarterback coach, will make his CFL head-coaching debut against a familiar opponent. The Elks visit Ottawa on Friday night.

The two teams appeared headed to overtime Sunday after Edmonton made it 34-34 on Dakota Prukop’s one-yard touchdown run with eight seconds remaining. But veteran kicker Boris Bede, who missed a 31-yard field goal earlier in the fourth quarter, put the kickoff out of bounds to give Ottawa possession at its 50-yard line.

Dru Brown’s 29-yard completion to Kalil Pimpleton set up Lewis Ward’s 38-yard field goal on the game’s final play. It was Edmonton’s fourth straight loss by three points and third consecutive via a walk-off field goal.

Edmonton’s five defeats have been by a combined 20 points. It opened the season with a 29-21 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders after being outscored 21-3 in the fourth.

When teams make a coaching change, it’s not unusual for players to respond positively the very next game. Also working in Edmonton’s favour is often it’s difficult to sweep a home-and-home series.

Then again, Ottawa is 2-0 at TD Place this season. 

Pick: Edmonton.

WINNIPEG AT SASKATCHEWAN, Friday

At Regina, Winnipeg (2-4) looks to secure a third straight victory but is 0-2 on the road. Quarterback Zach Collaros threw for 344 yards and two TDs in leading the Bombers past Calgary 41-37 last week. Ontaria Wilson had 13 catches for 201 yards and a touchdown while running back Brady Oliveira recorded a second straight 100-yard rushing effort. Saskatchewan (4-1) comes off its first loss of the season, a 35-20 decision to B.C., as Shea Patterson threw for 278 yards with an interception. Sam Emilus had eight catches for 161 yards.

Pick: Winnipeg.

TORONTO AT HAMILTON, Saturday

At Hamilton, the Ticats (0-5) come off a bye week but are allowing a CFL-high 32.4 offensive points per game. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell has thrown for 696 yards, five TDs and no interceptions in his last two games. Toronto (3-2) has won six straight versus its chief rival and comes off a 37-18 road win over previously unbeaten Montreal as linebacker Wynton McManis had a pick-six while Janarion Grant registered a 103-yard kickoff-return TD.

Pick: Toronto.

BC AT CALGARY, Sunday

At Calgary, the Lions (5-1) chase a fifth straight win at McMahon Stadium and sixth consecutive victory overall. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. leads the CFL in passing yards (2,203) and TDs (12). He threw for 451 yards and a touchdown while running for another in last week’s victory over Saskatchewan. Justin McInnis had 14 catches for 243 yards and a touchdown. Jake Maier recorded 316 yards passing with two TDs and two interceptions for the Stampeders (2-3) versus Winnipeg while Diedrick Mills ran for 131 yards on 15 carries. 

Pick: B.C.

Last week: 2-2.

CP’s overall record: 14-10.

(Canadian Press)