WEEK 16 CFL PICKS 2019
HAMILTON AT WINNIPEG, FRIDAY
At Winnipeg, Hamilton (10-3) concludes its Western road trip looking to finish 2-1 after last weekend’s playoff-clinching 30-27 win in Edmonton. Dane Evans finished 22-of-30 passing for 336 yards and three TDs. The Ticats’ defence had three picks and allowed just 60 yards rushing on 17 carries. That’s worth noting as the Bombers (9-4) have the CFL’s rushing leader (Andrew Harris) and its top ground game (148.4 yards per game). The home team will also be anxious to atone for failing last week to make a 34-10 lead stand up against Montreal.
Pick:Winnipeg.
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EDMONTON AT OTTAWA, SATURDAY
At Ottawa, it’s unclear if Eskimos quarterback Trevor Harris will make his return to the Canadian capital as he’s listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Logan Kilgore started last week against Hamilton, throwing for 223 yards with two TDs and three interceptions as the Eskimos (6-7) suffered their fourth consecutive loss. Jonathon Jennings starts at quarterback for the Redblacks (3-10) but Dominique Davis will also play for the home team, which has dropped six straight and 10 of its past 11 since starting the season 2-0.
Pick: Edmonton.
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SASKATCHEWAN AT TORONTO, SATURDAY
At Toronto, Saskatchewan (8-4) comes off the bye able to clinch a post-season berth with a win. Brett Lauther’s late 39-yard field goal clinched a 27-25 victory over Montreal on Sept. 14 and improved the Riders’ record versus East Division rivals to 5-2. James Franklin starts for the Argos (2-10) after passing for 147 yards and a TD in relief of McLeod Bethel-Thompson in last week’s 23-16 home loss to Calgary. Franklin began the year as the starter but was injured and gave way to Bethel-Thompson, who went 2-8 at the helm.
Pick: Saskatchewan.
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MONTREAL AT BC, SATURDAY
Matthew Shiltz has some very big shoes to fill Saturday night.
Shiltz will be under centre when Montreal (7-5) visits the B.C. Lions (3-10) at B.C. Place Stadium. It will be his first start of the season and just the second since joining the Alouettes in 2017.
Shiltz replaces incumbent Vernon Adams Jr., who’ll serve a CFL-mandated one-game suspension following a helmet-swinging incident in Montreal’s 38-37 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last week.
Montreal faces a Lions team coming off consecutive wins over Ottawa. And although B.C. starter Mike Reilly has been sacked a CFL-high 46 times this year, the Redblacks got to him only once in the two games.
Bryan Burnham (73 catches, 1,078 yards, five TDs) gives Reilly the CFL’s leading receiver. Despite B.C.’s record, the Lions have registered 21 30-plus yard pass gains, leaving them tied for first with Montreal.
If Adams’s absence isn’t enough, there’s Montreal’s struggles in Vancouver. The Alouettes are just 2-17 in their last 19 games there, the last victory coming in 2015.
Pick: B.C.
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Last week: 3-1.
Overall: 41-16.
(Canadian Press/Photo: Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
