WEEK 10 CFL PICKS 2022
MONTREAL ALOUETTES AT WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS, THURSDAY
At Winnipeg, veteran receiver Greg Ellingson returns for the Bombers (9-0) after missing three games with a hip injury. Quarterback Zach Collaros threw two TD passes and Janarion Grant returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown to lead the West Division leaders to a 35-20 road win over Montreal (2-6). Starter Trevor Harris (back) didn’t practise earlier in the week but will start after completing 16-of-26 passes for 127 yards and a TD with two picks in last week’s loss.
Pick: Winnipeg.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS AT HAMILTON TIGER-CATS, FRIDAY
At Hamilton, Toronto (4-3) rallied for a 34-20 home win last week. Benoit Marion returned a blocked punt 24 yards for the TD as the Argos outscored their rivals 28-6 in the second half and 18-3 in the fourth. That’s been a recurring problem for the Ticats (2-6), who’ve been outscored 154-58 in the second half and 95-29 in the fourth this season. Both of the home team’s wins this season have come at Tim Hortons field but Matt Shiltz might start with incumbent Dane Evans nursing a reported shoulder ailment.
Pick: Hamilton.
B.C. LIONS AT CALGARY STAMPEDERS, SATURDAY
Nathan Rourke and the B.C. Lions will get to know the Calgary Stampeders very well over the next few weeks.
B.C. (6-1) visits Calgary (5-2) on Saturday night in the first of three meetings between the conference rivals. The Lions return to McMahon Stadium on Sept. 17 before the two teams meet at B.C. Place Stadium on Sept. 24.
Rourke is coming off a record-setting performance against Edmonton, completing 34-of-37 passes for 477 yards and five TD passes. The 477 yards was a Canadian single-game record while the 91.2 per cent completion mark was also a CFL mark.
Rourke currently leads the CFL in passing (2,418 yards), TDs (21) and completion percentage (81.3 per cent). The Lions are also tops in offensive points (35.7 per game), offensive TDs (31), net yards (447.9) passing yards (349.4), rushing TDs (10) and fewest sacks allowed (seven).
B.C. also sports a defence that’s tops against the pass (224.6 yards per game) and run (75.3 yards) and is allowing a league-low 279.3 net offensive yards per game. The Lions are also second in fewest offensive points surrendered (18.4).
Calgary is coming off a 17-3 win over Ottawa that was anchored by its defence. Defensive back Titus Wall had two interceptions, returning one 46 yards for the TD, to help the Stamps earn their first win in three games.
Pick: B.C.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS AT EDMONTON ELKS, SATURDAY
At Edmonton, the Elks (2-6) haven’t won at Commonwealth Stadium since October 2019, a span of 11 games. What’s more, they’re coming off a lopsided 46-14 road loss to the Lions last week. Saskatchewan (4-4) should be well-rested coming off a bye week. The time off should benefit starter Cody Fajardo (knee), who’s 4-0 versus Edmonton. The Riders have also won their last three games in the Alberta city, including a 26-16 decision on June 18.
Pick: Saskatchewan.
Last week: 4-0.
CP’s overall record: 29-6.
(Canadian Press)
