WEEK 18 CFL PICKS 2022
MONTREAL ALOUETTES AT OTTAWA REDBLACKS, FRIDAY
At Ottawa, the Redblacks chase a second straight win under interim head coach Bob Dyce following last week’s 24-18 victory at Molson Stadium. Win or lose, they’ll remain in post-season contention heading into next week. Montreal (7-8) can clinch a home playoff berth with a victory but is 3-4 both on the road and within the East Division. William Stanback, the ’21 CFL rushing leader, ran for 20 yards on eight carries in his return and will undoubtedly get better with more games played for the Als.
Pick: Montreal.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS AT CALGARY STAMPEDERS, FRIDAY
At Calgary, Hamilton (5-10) gained control of its playoff destiny with last week’s 18-14 home win over idle Saskatchewan (6-10 ). The Ticats can clinch the third and final East Division post-season berth by winning their final three regular-season contests. However, they’ve lost 15 straight at McMahon Stadium (last win there was in ’04) and are 0-7 on the road. The Stampeders (10-5), who’re battling for a West Division home playoff game, come off a 29-2 home win over Toronto on Oct. 1 and are 5-0 versus East opponents.
Pick: Calgary.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS AT EDMONTON ELKS, SATURDAY
They’ve been eliminated from CFL playoff contention but the Edmonton Elks face a solid opportunity to snap their dubious home losing streak.
Edmonton (4-12) hosts the Toronto Argonauts (9-6) on Saturday having dropped a CFL-record 15 straight games at Commonwealth Stadium.
Toronto is currently atop the East Division and would clinch first if Ottawa defeats Montreal at TD Place on Friday and the Argos emerge victorious in Edmonton.
But there are three factors working against Toronto.
First of all, Ottawa (4-11) is 0-7 at home this season. And then there’s Toronto’s recent struggles at Commonwealth.
Toronto has dropped its last six games there, its last victory coming in 2013. On Saturday, the Argos and Elks will meet for the 100th time, with Edmonton holding a 54-44-1 overall advantage and 32-16-1 at home.
Toronto is 4-3 on the road but 3-4 versus West Division competition.
The Argos should have momentum on their side, coming off a 23-20 home win over the B.C. Lions on Saturday. Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson finished 27-of-40 passing for 352 yards and a TD, a 37-yard toss to sophomore Canadian Tommy Nield late in the fourth quarter that gave the home team its winning margin.
Bethel-Thompson enters weekend action as the CFL’s leading passer (4,218 yards).
Pick: Toronto.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS AT BC LIONS, SATURDAY
At Vancouver, Winnipeg (14-2) has already clinched first in the West and home field for the division final. Starter Zach Collaros won’t play as Dru Brown goes under centre. More veterans expected to follow suit for the defending Grey Cup champions. B.C. (10-5) comes off a narrow loss in Toronto but does hold the tie-breaker against Calgary in the battle for second in the West. An encouraging sign is quarterback Nathan Rourke (foot) returning to the practice field, even on a limited basis.
Pick: B.C.
Last week: 2-2.
CP’s overall record: 49-20.
(Canadian Press)
