WEEK 15 CFL PICKS 2023

TORONTO AT MONTREAL, FRIDAY

At Montreal, Toronto (10-1) can clinch first in the East Division with a fifth straight win and second in as many weeks over the Alouettes, who’ve had three consecutive losses. The Argos are 6-0 versus conference rivals. A big key for the defending Grey Cup champions has been protecting quarterback Chad Kelly as they haven’t allowed a sack in five games and given up a CFL-low 10 all year. Turnovers plagued the Als in last week’s 39-10 road loss, a game that also saw CFL receiving leader Austin Mack being ejected in the first quarter.

Pick: Toronto.

EDMONTON AT SASKATCHEWAN, FRIDAY

At Regina, the Riders (6-6) return home following last week’s lopsided road loss to Winnipeg. They’re 4-2 at Mosaic Stadium, having won their last three contests there. Saskatchewan is also 2-0 versus Edmonton (3-10) but the Alberta club is 3-2 with Canadian Tre Ford at quarterback. Last week, the Elks outscored Calgary 18-0 in the fourth quarter for a 25-23 home win. Ford threw for 173 yards and a TD with two interceptions but also ran 10 times for 82 yards as Kevin Brown led the way with 143 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Pick: Saskatchewan.

WINNIPEG AT HAMILTON, SATURDAY

They don’t face another ridiculously quick turnaround but it’s another tough week for rookie Taylor Powell and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Powell completed 21-of-32 passes for a career-best 326 yards and three TDs in leading Hamilton past the Ottawa Redblacks 27-24 last week. The Ticats (5-7) secured the win just four days after a 41-28 Labour Day loss to the Toronto Argonauts to move closer to the second-place Montreal Alouettes (6-6) in the East Division standings.

This week, Hamilton has substantially more down time between games. But on Saturday afternoon the Ticats host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-3), who are coming off a 51-6 home victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

First of all, Hamilton has struggled at Tim Hortons Field, having lost five of six games there.

And while Hamilton is 2-2 versus the West Division, Winnipeg is 3-1 against Eastern competition, including a season-opening 42-31 home victory over the Ticats. The lone blemish was a 31-28 overtime loss in Ottawa back in July.

Pick: Winnipeg.

OTTAWA AT B.C., SATURDAY

At Vancouver, the Lions (8-4) come off a bye week after downing Montreal 34-25 on Sept. 2. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 306 yards and three TDs while running eight times for 54 yards against his former team. The Lions’ defence added five sacks. Ottawa (3-9) is living proof having a week off doesn’t always guarantee a victorious return. The club was coming off a bye last week but lost 27-24 at home to a Hamilton team playing twice in four days. The Redblacks have dropped six straight overall.

Pick: B.C.

Last week: 3-1.

Overall: 39-16.

(Canadian Press)