WEEK 17 CFL PICKS 2023
SASKATCHEWAN AT BC, FRIDAY
Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. and the B.C. Lions look to secure a home playoff game Friday night.
B.C. (10-4) can cement a playoff date at BC Place Stadium with a home win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-8). The two teams have split their previous two meetings this year but appear headed in opposite directions.
B.C. has won its last three games while Saskatchewan is on a three-game losing streak. And while the Lions are 5-1 at home this season, the Riders are 2-5 away from Mosaic Stadium.
The Lions have also fared better within the West Division, sporting a 7-2 record while Saskatchewan is 5-5. B.C. enters this week’s action tied atop the conference standings with Winnipeg (10-4) and those two teams are slated to meet next week at B.C. Place Stadium.
Saskatchewan ranks seventh in offensive points (20.3 per game), sixth in offensive TDs (26) and last overall in rushing (83.9). The Riders have also lost 11 fumbles this season, second-most in the CFL, and are last in turnover ratio (minus-11).
Pick: B.C.
TORONTO AT WINNIPEG, FRIDAY
At Winnipeg, a Grey Cup rematch will lose much of its appeal as Toronto (12-1), which has already clinched first in the East, continues to rest some of its regulars. Cameron Dukes is expected to start at quarterback ahead of Chad Kelly while running back Andrew Harris (knee), a Winnipeg native and former Bomber, won’t play either. The Bombers (10-4) are coming off a bye week. They’re 6-0 since ’21 following a week off and a CFL-best 13-4 since 2015.
Pick: Winnipeg.
MONTREAL AT OTTAWA, SATURDAY
At Ottawa, Montreal (7-7) can clinch a playoff berth with a win and comes off a solid 28-11 road victory in Calgary following consecutive losses to Toronto. Against the Stamps, the Alouettes converted all three redzone chances while recording four sacks. Dustin Crum was CFL’s top-graded quarterback for a second straight week as the Redblacks (4-11) snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 36-28 home victory over Saskatchewan, registering five takeaways in the contest. But they’re 0-6 within the East Division.
Pick: Montreal.
CALGARY AT HAMILTON, SATURDAY
At Hamilton, the Ticats (6-8) can clinch a playoff spot with a win and Montreal victory. They’re 2-5 at home but 4-4 versus Western clubs. Rookie Taylor Powell is 3-5 as a starting quarterback but three losses have come against Toronto. Calgary (4-10) has dropped two straight and five-of-six since handing the Argos their lone loss Aug. 4. Jake Maier leads the CFL in passing (3.581 yards) and Reggie Begelton is first overall in catches (78) and third in yards (1,028), but centre Sean McEwen (foot) and guard Zach Williams (shoulder) are both battling injuries.
Pick: Hamilton.
Last week: 1-3.
Overall: 42-21.
(Canadian Press)
