WEEK 16 CFL PICKS 2018

Photo: CFL.ca/Peter Powell

TORONTO AT CALGARY, Friday

The Toronto Argonauts have found themselves in a most unenviable position.

The Argonauts (3-9) entered Week 16 of the CFL season in third-place in the East Division, a whopping 10 points behind first-place Ottawa and trailing second-place Hamilton by six points.

Toronto is also three wins behind both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-7) and B.C. Lions (6-6) in the cross-over scenario. And if that wasn’t enough, the Argos have lost three straight as they head to Calgary to visit the Stampeders (10-2), who are not only coming off a bye week but are a stellar 6-0 both at home and versus East Division competition.

Calgary would become the first team to clinch a CFL playoff spot with a win or a tie. This despite being plagued by injuries to its receiving corps with Eric Rogers (knee), Kamar Jorden (knee) and DaVaris Daniels (collarbone) all out.

Prediction: Calgary.
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BC AT HAMILTON, Saturday

The Ticats (6-7) look for redemption after B.C. (6-6) rallied from an eight-point deficit with nine seconds remaining in regulation to win 35-32 in overtime last weekend in Vancouver. Hamilton expects to have seedy receiver Brandon Banks (69 catches, 1,033 yards, seven TDs) back after missing two games with a hamstring injury. B.C. is 4-2 versus the East Division this season but just 1-5 on the road.

Prediction: Hamilton.
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WINNIPEG AT EDMONTON, Saturday

The Eskimos could really help themselves with a home win. Not only would that move them four points ahead of Winnipeg (6-7) in the West standings but also clinch the season series. The Bombers halted a four-game losing streak last week with their win over Montreal and running back Andrew Harris, who was injured in that game, resumed practising, which is a huge positive.

Prediction: Edmonton.
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SASKATCHEWAN AT MONTREAL, Sunday

The Riders (8-5) chase a second straight road win following last week’s 30-29 victory in Toronto. Quarterback Zach Collaros threw two TD passes – the first time this season Saskatchewan has had multiple touchdown tosses in a game – but still hasn’t cracked the 300-yard passing plateau. Johnny Manziel makes a second straight start for Montreal (3-10) and is still searching for the first win and TD pass of his CFL tenure.

Prediction: Saskatchewan.

Last week: 3-1.

Overall: 36-21.

(Canadian Press/Dan Ralph)