WEEKEND CFL PICKS

Winnipeg Blue Bombers versus B.C. Lions (Friday night)

At Vancouver, Winnipeg (6-1) comes off the bye week not only sporting the CFL’s top record but riding a four-game win streak and an impressive 4-0 versus division opponents. The Bombers leads the league in offensive TDs (18), fewest turnovers (seven), fewest offensive points allowed (14 per game) and most turnovers forced (22). The Lions (4-3) are coming off a 31-24 home loss to Saskatchewan and dropped to 1-3 within the conference and are just 1-2 at B.C. Place but still have the CFL’s passing leader in Mike Reilly (1,860 yards).

Pick: Winnipeg.

Montreal Alouettes versus Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Saturday afternoon)

At Hamilton, the Ticats (4-3) come off the bye playing at Tim Hortons Field, where they’ve won 11 straight. The expectation is veteran Jeremiah Masoli (ribs) will start after backing up David Watford the past two games, both wins anchored by defensive pick-sixes in each. Montreal (2-4) has dropped two straight and had 560 total yards in last week’s 30-27 loss to Toronto as turnovers (four) and penalties (11 for 129 yards) really hurt. The Ticats have been opportunistic, scoring a CFL-high 56 points off turnovers,

Pick: Hamilton.

Saskatchewan Roughriders versus Calgary Stampeders (Saturday night)

At Calgary, an already difficult season became a little harder for the Stampeders (2-5), who announced Sunday safety Royce Metchie suffered a season-ending bicep injury in a 23-17 road loss to Hamilton on Sept. 17. Not only are the Stamps last in the West, they’re 1-3 both at home and within the division. And while they come off the bye week, they’re facing as Saskatchewan squad (5-2) that rallied for a big 31-24 road win over B.C. last week despite being flagged 10 times for 110 yards.

Pick: Saskatchewan.

(Canadian Press)