WEEK 6 CFL PICKS 2017

Saskatchewan is favoured by 3 points over Toronto on Saturday

THURSDAY: Montreal at Winnipeg, 6:30 pm 
(Bombers favoured by 3.5 points)

Winnipeg (2-2) comes off a disappointing 45-42 loss to B.C. as the Lions overcame a 15-point deficit. Matt Nichols threw for 264 yards and three TDs and Darvin Adam recorded five catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns. But the Bombers’ defence allowed 480 net offensive yards and five touchdowns (three rushing, two passing). Montreal (2-3) dropped a 24-19 decision last week to Ottawa as Darian Durant threw for 452 yards and two TDs. But the Alouettes committed five turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles, another on downs).

Prediction: Winnipeg
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*CANADA’S GAME*
FRIDAY: BC at Edmonton, 7:30 pm
(Esks favoured by 1.5 points)

It’s only the sixth week of the regular season, but there’s plenty on the line when the Edmonton Eskimos meet the B.C. Lions on Friday night.

Edmonton (4-0) is the league’s lone remaining unbeaten team while B.C. (4-1) has reeled off four straight wins after its season-opening 30-27 loss to the Eskimos.

If Edmonton wins, it will not only remain undefeated but claim the season series with B.C. That would be important because should the two teams end the year tied in the standings, the Eskimos would gain the higher position.

B.C. would gain sole possession of first place with a victory but would need to beat Edmonton on Oct. 21 to clinch the season series and secure the tie-breaker.

Edmonton has mastered winning close games this season, as all of its victories have been by four points or less.

Veteran B.C. quarterback Travis Lulay looks to lead B.C. to a win for the third straight week. The 2011 CFL MVP came off the bench to throw a CFL-record 436 yards in a 41-26 win over Hamilton on July 15 before passing for 404 yards and two TDs and running for another in rallying the Lions past Winnipeg 45-42 on Friday night.

Prediction: Edmonton
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SATURDAY: Toronto at Saskatchewan, 4:30 pm
(Riders favoured by 3.0 points)

Toronto (3-2) comes off a 27-24 home win over Ottawa on Monday. The Argos played the second half without linebacker Bear Woods (concussion protocol) and defensive linemen Victor Butler (knee) and Cleyon Laing (knee). Woods could play in Regina but the expectation is Butler and Laing won’t. Ricky Ray has thrown for 300-plus yards in five straight games. Saskatchewan (1-3) lost 27-10 in Calgary last week as veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn became just the seventh player in CFL history to pass for more than 50,000 career yards.

Prediction: Saskatchewan
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SATURDAY: Hamilton at Calgary, 7:30 pm
(Stamps favoured by 13 points)

Hamilton (0-4) is the CFL’s lone winless team following its heart-breaking home loss to Edmonton. Calgary (3-1-1) is 2-0 this season at McMahon Stadium and has Charleston Hughes, who had three sacks last week against Saskatchewan, back after missing time with a leg injury. The Ticats are 0-3 against West Division teams and this will mark the first of four straight games versus Western clubs.

Prediction: Calgary

Last week: 5-0

Overall: 15-5-1

(Canadian Press/Dan Ralph)