WEEK 11 CFL PICKS 2018
EDMONTON ESKIMOS AT HAMILTON TIGER-CATS, (Thursday)
The Ticats (3-5) last played in a 29-23 road loss to Winnipeg on Aug. 10. Starter Jeremiah Masoli is 2-0 versus Edmonton and led his team to a 38-21 win at Commonwealth Stadium on June 22. The Eskimos (6-3) are coming off a 40-24 victory over Montreal as CFL passing leader Mike Reilly threw for 424 yards and three TDs.
Prediction: Edmonton
__________________________________________________
TORONTO ARGONAUTS AT MONTREAL ALOUETTES, (Friday)
Antonio Pipkin is expected to make a second straight start for the Alouettes with Johnny Manziel (concussion protocol) out. Pipkin was 14-of-25 passing for 217 yards with a TD an interception against Edmonton. Toronto (3-5) chases a third straight win with starting quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson. James Wilder Jr. ran for 91 yards in last week’s 24-23 win over B.C.
Prediction: Toronto
___________________________________________________
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS AT CALGARY STAMPEDERS, (Saturday)
For the first time this season, Bo Levi Mitchell and the Calgary Stampeders are dealing with defeat.
Calgary (7-1) fell from the ranks of the unbeaten Sunday night following a 40-27 road loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The good news for the Stampeders is they don’t have time to think about it as they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday afternoon.
Calgary is 4-0 this season at McMahon Stadium, having outscored their opponents 104-54 there. But as dominant as the Stampeders have been this year, they’re just two points ahead of the Edmonton Eskimos (6-3) heading into their traditional Labour Day home-and-home series.
Winnipeg (5-4) is also coming off a loss, a 44-21 home decision to the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night. The lopsided loss was surprising as the Bombers’ defence came into the game leading the CFL in sacks and interceptions while being tied with Calgary for most turnovers forced.
What makes this matchup so interesting is Winnipeg counters with the CFL’s top-scoring offence (29.6 points per game). The Bombers are also first overall in offensive TDs (30) and second in fewest sacks allowed (13).
Prediction: Calgary
________________________________________________________
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS AT BC LIONS, (Saturday)
Saskatchewan (4-4) should be riding high after its win over Calgary. A stellar defensive performance overshadowed Jordan Williams-Lambert recording 10 catches for 152 yards for the Riders. B.C. (3-5) couldn’t make a 10-point half-time lead stick last week in Toronto. At least the Lions are at home given their dismal 0-5 road record.
Prediction: Saskatchewan.
Last week: 1-3
Overall: 24-14.
(Canadian Press/Dan Ralph)
