Week 17 CFL Picks 2024

BY: THE CANADIAN PRESS

EDMONTON AT WINNIPEG, Friday

At Winnipeg, the Bombers have reeled off six straight wins and sit atop the West Division. A big part of their success has been Brady Oliveira (CFL-leading 1,021 rushing yards, 5.8-yard average). Last week, the defence forced six turnovers in the club’s 27-14 road win over Edmonton. Veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson will reportedly start for the Elks, who got a 157-yard rushing performance last week from Justin Rankin, his second 100-yard game this season.

Pick: Winnipeg.

HAMILTON AT BC, Friday

At Vancouver, the Ticats chase a fourth straight win. Veteran Bo Levi Mitchell leads the CFL in passing (4,044 yards) and TDs (24). Marc Liegghio hit all six field goals he tried last week versus Toronto, including the 48-yard winner on the game’s final play. Nathan Rourke remains the starter for B.C., which comes off the bye week and hosts an East Division rival — usually two big advantages. Then again, the Lions’ last home game was a 33-17 loss to Toronto on Sept. 13.

Pick: B.C.

OTTAWA AT SASKATCHEWAN, Saturday

At Regina, Saskatchewan ended its seven-game winless streak (0-6-1) with last week’s 37-29 road victory over Calgary. Ryquell Armstead, a former Redblack, ran for 207 yards on 25 carries in his Riders’ debut. Ottawa counters with the league’s third-ranked run defence (91.1 yards per game) but starter Dru Brown (ankle) was injured last week against Montreal. Veteran Jeremiah Masoli is expected to draw the start.

Pick: Saskatchewan.

MONTREAL AT TORONTO, Saturday

The Montreal Alouettes can secure another first on Saturday night.

Montreal (11-2-1) visits the Toronto Argonauts (7-7) with a chance to clinch first in the East Division and earn home-field advantage in the conference final Nov. 9. An Alouettes win or Ottawa Redblacks loss in Regina would do the trick for the defending Grey Cup champions.

Montreal will get its first look of the season at Toronto starter Chad Kelly. He didn’t play in either of the two previous matchups while serving a CFL-mandated suspension for violating its gender-based violence policy.

Toronto is 2-3 under Kelly in 2024, the CFL’s outstanding player last season. He has completed 119-of-179 passes (66.5 per cent) for 1,630 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing 26 times for 131 yards (five-yard average) and four TDs.

Montreal is allowing a CFL-low 19.6 offensive points per game. Linebacker Tyrice Beverette has a league-high 114 defensive plays (including a league-best 92 total tackles) with teammate Darnell Sankey second overall with 100 (including a league-leading 89 defensive tackles).

Pick: Montreal.

Last week: 3-1.

CP’s overall record: 36-27.