Week 17 CFL Picks For PumpJacks!

CALGARY AT MONTREAL, FRIDAY

It appears the Montreal Alouettes have their starter back.

Quarterback Davis Alexander, who has missed eight straight games with a hamstring injury, resumed practising this week. After taking starting reps Tuesday, Alexander declared he expected to be ready to play Friday when Montreal (7-7) hosts the Calgary Stampeders (8-5).

Alexander’s return would certainly be welcome news for Montreal, which is 3-7 this season without him. One of those wins, though, was a 23-21 decision in Calgary on Jose Maltos Diaz’s 58-yard field goal with 1:10 to play.

Montreal is 4-0 with Alexander, 26, under centre. He’s unbeaten as a starter (8-0), tying Danny McManus’s CFL record for most wins to begin a career.

Calgary starter Vernon Adams Jr. was a full practice participant Wednesday – he was limited in the first two sessions of the week – and is expected to play Friday. Both Adams (back) and backup P.J. Walker (shoulder) were hurt in last week’s 52-23 loss to the B.C. Lions but Walker didn’t practice and was listed as out.

The Stampeders are second in the West, four points behind front-running Saskatchewan (10-3). But the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (both at 7-7) are close behind in third.

Pick: Montreal.

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TORONTO AT BC, FRIDAY

At Vancouver, veteran quarterback Nick Arbuckle is expected to return for Toronto (5-9). He missed last week’s 21-19 home loss to Montreal with a calf injury. Arbuckle had made 13 straight starts for the Argos, who had earned three consecutive victories before last week’s setback. The defending champions face an uphill battle to make the playoffs as they’re third in the East, four points behind Montreal, which also owns the season series. B.C. (7-7) is not only vying for a West Division spot but also a crossover bid. Nathan Rourke threw for 331 yards and two TDs while running for three more in leading the Lions past Calgary last week.

Pick: B.C.

HAMILTON AT WINNIPEG, SATURDAY

At Winnipeg, all indications are Zach Collaros (head) will return for the Bombers (7-7). Chris Streveler led them to a split of the two games Collaros missed. Last week, he ran for more yards (72, touchdown) than he threw (54 yards, interception) in a 26-18 win in Ottawa. Brady Oliveira has posted consecutive 100-yard rushing games, including 116 yards in 32-21 road loss to Hamilton on Sept. 12. The Ticats (9-5) have won three straight with their offence having rushed for over 100 yards in each contest. But they needed Marc Liegghio’s game-ending 41-yard field goal to secure a 29-27 home victory over Edmonton last week.

Pick: Hamilton.

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SASKATCHEWAN AT EDMONTON, SATURDAY

At Edmonton, it’s been a tough stretch for the Elks (5-9), who are coming off consecutive road losses in Toronto and Hamilton on game-ending field goals. They’re now 2-6 away from Commonwealth Stadium and will host the rested Riders (CFL-best 10-3 record). The Elks are also 1-5 in their division, with four of their wins having come against East teams. Saskatchewan comes off a 48-31 home loss to Montreal on Sept. 13 but is 5-2 within the West, with both losses being to Calgary. The club has also clinched a playoff berth but top spot in the division would earn it home field for the West final.

Pick: Saskatchewan.

(Canadian Press)