Week 17 CFL Picks For PUMPJACKS!
Photo: The RP Show
Week 17 of the Canadian Football League season brings another important stretch of football as teams jockey for playoff positioning, division supremacy, and momentum heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
1. Saskatchewan Roughriders at B.C. Lions (-3), Friday
The game with major Western Division implications.
The Roughriders enter Week 17 at 8-5, while the Lions sit at 7-6. Both teams are coming off byes. B.C. has won six of its last seven games following a difficult start to the season, and the Lions have an opportunity to make a major statement at home.
For Saskatchewan, the challenge is maintaining its position in the West and protecting its path toward a home playoff game. The Riders are coming off a bye, which could provide valuable recovery time for key players, including A.J. Ouellette and Kian Schaffer-Baker, who were identified as potential returnees.
The matchup should come down to which team can establish control early. Saskatchewan will want to avoid allowing B.C. to build momentum in front of its home crowd, while the Lions have an opportunity to turn their recent surge into a meaningful division push.
Storyline to watch: Can the Lions continue their remarkable turnaround, or will Saskatchewan reassert itself in the Western Division race?
PICKS:
Scruffy – BC
RP – Sask
Kevin The Medium – BC
2. Toronto Argonauts at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-1.5), Friday
A clash between two teams with postseason ambitions.
Toronto travels to Winnipeg after an impressive 29-14 victory over Edmonton in Week 16. The Argonauts’ defense came up with two interceptions in the end zone, helping them overcome a significant time-of-possession disadvantage.
At 8-6, Toronto has already secured a home playoff date, but the Argos have their sights set higher. Montreal’s position at the top of the East means every remaining game offers an opportunity to improve playoff positioning.
Winnipeg, meanwhile, enters at 7-6 and returns home, where the Blue Bombers have won three consecutive games. The health of quarterback Zach Collaros remains a major storyline, particularly after he left the Banjo Bowl with an upper-body injury.
This could be a physical game in which field position, turnovers, and quarterback play determine the outcome. Toronto has demonstrated that it can win without dominating possession, but Winnipeg will look to establish a more consistent offensive rhythm at Princess Auto Stadium.
Storyline to watch: Can Toronto’s defense deliver another strong performance, or will Winnipeg’s home-field advantage make the difference?
PICKS:
Scruffy – Toronto
RP – Toronto
Kevin The Medium – Toronto
3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Edmonton Elks (-7.5), Saturday
Edmonton looks to bounce back, while Hamilton fights to stay alive.
The Elks are 10-4 following their Week 16 loss to Toronto, ending a four-game winning streak. Despite that defeat, Edmonton remains the only Western Division team to have clinched a playoff spot, and a victory over Hamilton would help strengthen its position in the division.
Hamilton enters at 4-10 after losing four consecutive games. The Tiger-Cats fought back against Montreal last week but were unable to overcome an early deficit. Bo Levi Mitchell has been ruled out for the season, adding another layer to the team’s quarterback situation.
Edmonton should be eager to respond in front of its home crowd. The Elks have shown they can compete at a high level throughout the season, and the key will be whether they can regain the consistency that powered their winning streak.
Hamilton, on the other hand, has little room for error. The Tiger-Cats need to play complementary football, protect the quarterback, and find ways to create explosive plays against an Edmonton team with significant motivation.
Storyline to watch: Will Edmonton turn the page after its Toronto loss, or can Hamilton deliver an upset that changes the conversation around its season?
PICKS:
Scruffy – Edmonton
RP – Edmonton
Kevin The Medium – Edmonton
4. Calgary Stampeders (-2.5) at Ottawa RedBlacks, Saturday
Calgary looks for another win as Ottawa searches for its first.
The Stampeders are coming off a 48-30 wild, last-second victory over Ottawa in Week 16, a result that kept them in the Western Division playoff conversation. Calgary sits at 6-8, with only two points separating the Stamps from both B.C. and Winnipeg in the standings referenced in the Week 17 preview.
Ottawa, meanwhile, remains winless at 0-13. The RedBlacks are no longer in playoff contention, but the remaining schedule gives them an opportunity to compete for their first victory of the season.
Calgary cannot afford to overlook its opponent. The Stampeders need to capitalize on games against teams below them in the standings, and a season sweep of Ottawa would provide valuable momentum.
The Redblacks will be looking for a complete performance: improved execution on offense, fewer defensive breakdowns, and the ability to finish games when opportunities arise.
Storyline to watch: Can Calgary keep its playoff hopes alive, or will Ottawa finally break through in the win column?
PICKS:
Scruffy- Ottawa
RP – Calgary
Kevin The Medium – Ottawa
Week 17: The Bigger Picture
The most compelling aspect of this week’s schedule is the pressure on the Western Division. Saskatchewan and B.C. meet in a game with direct playoff-positioning implications, while Winnipeg and Calgary are trying to remain in the conversation. Edmonton, despite its Week 16 loss, has an opportunity to strengthen its position against Hamilton.
In the East, Toronto continues to pursue Montreal, while the Alouettes enjoy a week off after another important victory. Hamilton faces a difficult challenge as it tries to reverse its recent slide.
Week 17 has the potential to be a defining weekend for several teams. With the playoffs approaching, every win matters, and the margin for error continues to shrink.
Disclaimer: The picks and opinions expressed in this column are for entertainment purposes only and are not intended to be used as betting advice. Readers and viewers should conduct their own research and make responsible, informed decisions. Please gamble responsibly.
