WEEK 9 CFL PICKS 2018

Photo: Walter Tychnowicz/CFL.ca

EDMONTON ESKIMOS AT B.C. LIONS (Thursday)

At Vancouver, Mike Reilly’s one-yard TD run with 2:43 remaining lifted Edmonton (5-2) to a 26-19 win over Saskatchewan. The Eskimos have won three straight and head to B.C. sporting a 3-0 record within the West Division. The Lions (2-4) have lost two straight overall. Travis Lulay was 25-of-39 passing for 281 yards with a TD and interception in last week’s 27-18 loss to unbeaten Calgary (7-0).

Prediction: Edmonton.
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HAMILTON TIGER-CATS AT WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (Friday)

At Winnipeg, the Bombers (4-3) come off the bye leading the CFL in scoring (34.1 points per game), offensive TDs (24), rushing (161.6 yards) and fewest sacks allowed (seven). Their defence has a league-best 11 interceptions. Hamilton (3-4) halted a three-game losing streak with its one-sided victory over Montreal and did earn a 31-17 home win over the Bombers on June 29. Jeremiah Masoli threw for 300 yards with two TDs and two interceptions versus the Alouettes.

Prediction: Winnipeg.
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MONTREAL ALOUETTES AT OTTAWA (Saturday)

The good news for Johnny Manziel and the Montreal Alouettes is, theoretically speaking, there’s nowhere to go but up.

With another week in Montreal’s offence, Manziel should be much more prepared to face the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday night than he was the Ticats. Despite the one-sided outcome, the six-foot, 210-pound Manziel did show flashes of brilliance and certainly an ability to use his legs to extend plays and buy his receivers time downfield.

Montreal will face an ornery Ottawa squad. The Redblacks (4-3) held a commanding 38-14 second-half lead last week in Toronto before the Argonauts rallied for the stunning 42-41 victory at BMO Field.

The Redblacks learned a valuable lesson regarding the importance of keeping an opponent down and being able to put the rival away. It’s hard to imagine this happening twice to a team that’s first in the East right now.

Prediction: Ottawa.

Last week: 3-1.

Overall: 21-10.


(Canadian Press/Dan Ralph)