WEEK 16 CFL PICKS 2023

SASKATCHEWAN AT OTTAWA, FRIDAY

At Ottawa, the Redblacks (3-10), who’ve lost seven straight, will be without veteran kicker Lewis Ward (season-ending torn pectoral muscle). Last week’s defeat in B.C. has been the story of Ottawa’s season as five of those seven losses have been by four or fewer points. Saskatchewan (6-7) allowed 265 rushing yards last week against Edmonton and faces an offence that’s third overall in that category (131.3 yards per game) and features a mobile quarterback (Dustin Crum).

Pick: Saskatchewan.

B.C. AT EDMONTON, FRIDAY

Edmonton (4-10) will chase a third consecutive victory at Commonwealth Stadium on Friday night when it hosts the B.C. Lions (9-4). The Elks are 4-2 since Tre Ford, of Niagara Falls, Ont., became the starting quarterback, but those wins have come over the club’s last five contests.

Ford, Canadian University’s top player in 2021 while at Waterloo, gives opposing defences two concerns. Since becoming the starter, Ford has completed 81-of-117 passes (69.2 per cent) for 1,163 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions, registering a career-best 317 yards in the victory over Ottawa.

But the six-foot-one, 185-pound Ford, Edmonton’s ’22 first-round pick, has also rushed for 471 yards.

But B.C. (9-4) will again present a solid challenge. The Lions have not only won the two previous meetings with the Elks to clinch the season series, both victories have been shutouts (22-0 at B.C. Place on June 17, 27-0 at Commonwealth on July 29).

B.C. can secure a CFL playoff spot with a win but would also do so with a loss if Montreal dispatched Calgary this week. The Lions have also won six straight games versus the Elks. 

Pick: B.C.

MONTREAL AT CALGARY, SATURDAY

At Calgary, the Stampeders (4-9) are coming off the bye. CFL teams are 12-4 following the break and 10-3 at home. That’s not good news for Montreal (6-7), which has dropped four straight and is playing for a ninth consecutive week. The Alouettes are also 2-4 versus the West Division and lost 23-20 at home last week to Toronto after David Cote’s late game-tying field goal try was blocked. Then again, the Stamps are just 2-4 at McMahon Stadium and 2-3 facing East Division opponents.

Pick: Calgary.

HAMILTON AT TORONTO, SATURDAY

At Toronto, an intriguing matchup as the Argos (11-1) have won five straight and cemented not only the season series (3-0) but first in the East Division. What’s worth watching now is how the defending Grey Cup champs manage their final six regular-season games. Hamilton (6-7) is in a battle for third with Montreal and has won two straight. Rookie Taylor Powell is 0-2 versus Toronto but 3-1 in his last four starts, passing for 1,080 yards and eight TDs while rushing for 79 yards.

Pick: Hamilton.

Last week: 2-2.

Overall: 41-18.

(Canadian Press)