WEEK 8 CFL PICKS 2017
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| Photo cred: Justin Tang/Canadian Press |
EDMONTON at OTTAWA, Thursday
Trevor Harris and the Ottawa Redblacks will get a second shot at doing what no other team in the CFL has this season: beat the Edmonton Eskimos.
Edmonton (6-0) visits Ottawa (1-5-1) on Thursday night coming off a 33-28 home win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The hard-luck Redblacks lost a 33-30 home decision to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Justin Medlock’s 38-yard field goal on the game’s final play.
That’s been the story this season for the defending Grey Cup champions, whose five losses have been by a combined 13 points. That includes a 23-21 setback in Edmonton on July 14.
Edmonton is 6-0 to start a season for the first time since 1961 and is doing it with a depleted roster. The Eskimos’ six-game injured list includes all-star receiver Adarius Bowman, Canadian linebacker Cory Greenwood, offensive linemen Simeon Rottier and Colin Kelly, kicker Sean Whyte and linebacker J.C. Sherrit.
But a constant is quarterback Mike Reilly, who stands fourth overall in passing yards (1,945) and third in touchdowns (11). He’s the glue keeping Edmonton’s offence together.
Given their mounting injured list, the Eskimos could be primed for their first loss of the year.
Prediction: Ottawa
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TORONTO at MONTREAL, Friday
Toronto (3-4) is coming off a 41-24 home loss to Calgary, a game starter Ricky Ray left in the second half with a shoulder injury. Ray is listed as day-to-day and could play. If not, mobile backup Cody Fajardo would get the start. Argos coach Marc Trestman and receiver S.J. Green will face their former team for the first time. Montreal (2-4) is coming off the bye, having not played since blowing a late 12-point lead in a 41-40 loss to Winnipeg.
Prediction: Montreal
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WINNIPEG at HAMILTON, Saturday
Winnipeg (4-2) has mounted late comebacks to win its last two games versus Montreal and Ottawa, respectively. Nichols threw for 319 yards and a TD last week against the Redblacks but the Bombers needed six field goals from Medlock to capture the victory. Hamilton (0-6) remains the CFL’s lone winless team but played Edmonton tough following an embarrassing 60-1 loss to Calgary the week before. Assistant head coach June Jones will have the week to provide his thoughts on how to help the Ticats.
Prediction: Winnipeg
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B.C. at SASKATCHEWAN, Sunday
B.C. (5-2) looks to sweep the home-and-home series after last week’s 30-15 home victory. Travis Lulay threw for 338 yards and a TD while Bryan Burnham posted five receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown. Chris Williams had three catches for 75 yards in his Lions debut. Kevin Glenn was 19-of-27 passing for 186 yards and two touchdowns but it was Canadian Brandon Bridge who threw two TD passes for the Riders (2-4). Saskatchewan is 2-1 at home but 0-3 versus West Division teams.
Prediction: B.C.
Last week: 3-1.
Overall: 22-6-1.
(Canadian Press/Dan Ralph)
