WEEK 4 CFL PICKS 2023

EDMONTON AT OTTAWA, FRIDAY

At Ottawa, Tyrie Adams starts at quarterback for the banged-up Redblacks (0-2), who are coming off the bye and looking to snap a dismal 13-game home losing streak. Edmonton (0-3) is riding a CFL-record 19-game home losing streak after dropping a 43-31 decision Sunday night to Toronto. Jarret Doege is expected to start after completing nine-of-11 passes for 163 yards and two TDs with an interception versus Toronto in relief of Taylor Cornelius. But the Elks will be without receiver Eugene Lewis (knee).

Pick: Edmonton.

WINNIPEG AT MONTREAL, SATURDAY

At Montreal, the Alouettes (2-0) are coming off a solid 38-12 road win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last week. Cody Fajardo threw for 292 yards and two TDs, both to Austin Mack. Last year, the Als split their two-game series with Winnipeg (2-1). But they’ll be catching the Bombers after their 30-6 home loss last week to B.C., the club’s first IG Field defeat at the hands of a West Division team since 2018.

Pick: Winnipeg.

BRITISH COLUMBIA AT TORONTO, MONDAY

As the defending Grey Cup champion the Toronto Argonauts’ start to the 2023 season isn’t surprising. But how they’ve done it certainly is.

Toronto (2-0) hosts the B.C. Lions (3-0) at BMO Field on Monday night. The Argos enter the contest leading the CFL in rushing, averaging 152 yards per game.

Toronto enters Monday night’s contest having scored seven rushing TDs, with quarterback Chad Kelly and running back A.J. Ouellette having accounted for three apiece. Veteran Canadian Andrew Harris has the other.

In 2022, Toronto’s McLeod Bethel-Thompson led the CFL in passing (4,731 yards) and anchored the league’s second-ranked aerial game (279.3 yards per game). With Bethel-Thompson now playing in the United States Football League, Kelly is the Argos’ starter but has thrown just one touchdown pass this season.

However, the Argos enter this week’s action atop the CFL in offensive points (34.5 per game) and net offence (399 yards). And while Toronto is ranked last in completions (29), they’re second in average gain per pass (10.9 yards).

B.C. will present Toronto with a very stiff test.

The Lions defence is ranked first overall in fewest offensive points allowed (7.0 per game) and was dominant in last week’s 30-6 road win over Winnipeg.

What’s more, two of B.C.’s wins this season have come on the road. And that follows an early trend as home teams are a dismal 4-8 thus far.

Pick: B.C.

Last week: 2-2.

Overall: 10-2.

(Canadian Press, Dan Ralph)