WEEK 4 CFL PICKS 2018

CFL.ca

Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders, Thursday

At Regina, Jeremiah Masoli chases a record-tying ninth straight 300-yard passing effort for Hamilton (2-1) after throwing for 369 yards and a TD in last week’s 31-17 home win over Winnipeg. Saskatchewan quarterback David Watford replaced Canadian Brandon Bridge to open the second half of last week’s 23-17 home loss to Montreal, but the Roughriders (1-2) have said they’re going back to Bridge against Hamilton. The Als targeted Duron Carter, who had trouble covering speedy Chris Williams (three catches 130 yards, TD).

Prediction: Hamilton
________________________________________


Ottawa Redblacks vs. Montreal Alouettes, Friday

At Montreal, the Alouettes (1-2) look to build off last week’s win over Saskatchewan that snapped their miserable 13-game losing streak. Jeff Mathews was 8-of-12 passing for 98 yards in relief of Drew Willy (concussion protocol). Trevor Harris completed 13-of-29 passes for 135 yards and a pick for Ottawa (1-1) in last week’s 24-14 road loss to Calgary. William Powell ran for 123 yards while Greg Ellingson had six catches for 97 yards and a TD.

Prediction: Ottawa
_________________________________________


Edmonton Eskimos at Toronto Argonauts, Saturday

The Toronto Argonauts are now James Franklin’s team. Franklin will make his first start with Toronto on Saturday when the club hosts the Edmonton Eskimos at BMO Field. Franklin takes over as the Argos’ No. 1 quarterback with incumbent Ricky Ray sidelined with a neck injury.

The six-foot-two, 225-pound Franklin spent his first three CFL seasons (2015-17) backing up Edmonton veteran Mike Reilly, the CFL’s most outstanding player last year. Franklin appeared in 12 games with the Eskimos, going 2-1 as a starter.

Edmonton’s defence did register five sacks last week against B.C., with defensive lineman Kwaku Boateng and linebacker Christophe Mulumba-Tshimanga, both nationals, registering two apiece.

But Toronto (0-2) finds itself at a crossroads already this season. The defending Grey Cup champions have yet to establish an identity, having struggled to mount any sort of consistency.

And now, they must try to surge ahead without their offensive leader.

Prediction: Edmonton
_____________________________________________


B.C. Lions vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Saturday

At Winnipeg, the Blue Bombers (1-2) continue to chase their first home win of the season. Rookie Chris Streveler finished 17-of-28 passing for 146 yards and no TDs – for the first time in three starts – last week against Hamilton. Veteran starter Matt Nichols has been removed from the six-game injured list, so he could be back behind centre soon. B.C. (1-1) started out well enough against Edmonton but couldn’t make it stick as quarterback Jonathon Jennings finished 13-of-24 passing for 199 yards with an interception while rushing for 34 yards on five carries.

Prediction: Winnipeg

Last week: 3-1

Overall: 8-4

(Canadian Press/Dan Ralph)