CFL WEEK 17 PREVIEW & PICKS

BY ADAM GREENE

I hope you are sitting down because, counting this one, we still have five more weeks of Canadian Football League action.

Early in the CFL season (and after the USFL and XFL seasons both wrapped), I penned a proposal that all three leagues should merge to form one single North American Football  spring/summer football league. It turns out, someone might have liked that idea because the XFL and USFL are no more. They’re going to merge to form one league, the National Spring Football League.

Hey, I’m just glad I could help. Frankly, I still think the CFL should be involved as well, but I’ll take that one piece of good news. We’re going to get better spring football at the very least, more interesting schedules and line ups and, maybe, a little help from the NFL in boosting rosters. Fingers crossed on that one.

The CFL is still going it alone (as of now) and we have the odds, lines and totals with which to make paying attention to it over the next month plus worth our time.

POWER RANKINGS

1. TORONTO ARGONAUTS (12-1)

Toronto officially clinched the CFL East last week with a solid 29-14 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Last week: No. 1

2. BC LIONS (10-4)

British Columbia got a spirited effort from the Edmonton Elks last week but dispatched them as expected to keep the No. 2 spot in the Power Rankings. While the Lions have already clinched a playoff spot, the CFL West remains up for grabs. Last week: No. 2

3. WINNEPEG BLUE BOMBERS (10-4)

Winnipeg had a week off to think about a pretty rough loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Now they get the game of the week, facing off against the Toronto Argonauts in what could very well be a Grey Cup preview. The CFL West has yet to be claimed, but the Blue Bombers can probably get the inside track if they can somehow knock off the Argos this week. Last week: No. 4

4. MONTREAL ALOUETTES (7-7)

Are Montreal serious contenders? Probably not, but it’s a solid step getting back to .500 with just a handful of weeks to go in the regular season. It doesn’t hurt that only three teams have winning records. Last week: No. 5

5. HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (6-8)

Hamilton had a good thing going and had to ruin it by facing off against the best team in the league in the Toronto Argonauts. Last week: No. 3

6. OTTAWA REDBLACKS (4-10)

Ottawa’s offense showed up once again and this time, against the Calgary Stampeders, their defense did just enough to pick up a victory and get out of the Power Rankings basement. Last week: No. 9

7. EDMONTON ELKS (4-11)

The Elks dropped their game against the BC Lions as expected, but they put up a serious battle, losing 37-29 before getting a much needed bye. Last week: No. 6

8. SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (6-8)

The Roughriders are likely still headed to the playoffs, but they’ll have a,… rough ride when they get there. You are all welcome. Last week: No. 7

9. CALGARY STAMPEDERS (4-10)

Calgary’s offense has apparently decided to wrap it up this season and considering there are still five weeks to go, I can’t really blame them. This is a slog. Last week: 8

WEEK 17

Byes: Edmonton Elks

FRIDAY

TORONTO ARGONAUTS AT WINNPEG BLUE BOMBERS (-7.5, O/U: 48.5)

It was just another day at the office for the Argonauts as they dispatched the Hamilton Tiger-Cats easily in a 29-14 victory last Saturday. Chad Kelly didn’t have his best day under center, finishing 17 of 26 passing for 242 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He scrambled four times for 10 yards. Deonta McMahon rushed 12 times for 43 yards. Dejon Brissett caught six passes for 98 yards and two scores. DaVaris Daniels had four receptions for 64 yards. Adarius Picket racked up nine tackles. Qwantez Stiggers had seven tackles. Wynton McManis had six tackles, one for a loss and two interceptions. Robbie Smith and Thomas Costigan both had three tackles and a sack apiece. Brandon Barlow finished with two tackles, both for a loss. Dwayne Hendrix had a tackle, a sack and fumble recovery.

Winnipeg had the bye last week and needed it after falling in a shocker in Week 15, losing 29-23 to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Zach Collaros was generous with the ball, tossing three picks to go with a 21 of 35 passing day for 344 yards and two touchdowns. He scrambled twice for five yards and a TD. Brady Oliveira rushed nine times for 46 yards. Nic Demski caught six passes for 137 yards and a score. Dalton Schoen had eight receptions for 110 yards. Kenny Lawler hauled in three balls for 41 yards and a touchdown. Winston Rose, Demerio Houston and Brandon Alexander all co-led the defense with six tackles apiece. Alexander added a forced fumble. Redha Kramdi had four tackles and a sack. Evan Holm finished with four tackles and a pick. Kyrie Wilson had four tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. Celstin Haba had three tackles, two for a loss and a sack.

This line is a surprise, considering the offensive capabilities Winnipeg has consistently shown. This is the first time these two teams have met since the Grey Cup Championship last season that the Argos won 24-23. Toronto has been the best team in the league all season (when Kelly is on the field), but no offense has put on offensive shows like the Blue Bombers. I’m going with the Argonauts here, but I think it’ll be closer than the books. Argonauts 31, Blue Bombers 27

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS AT BC LIONS (-10, O/U: 49)

Saskatchewan made it interesting in the fourth quarter last week on offense, but apparently their defense missed the game. The Roughriders fell 36-28 to the Ottawa Redblacks last Friday. Jake Dolegala didn’t have his worst game, going 26 of 37 passing for 279 yards, two touchdowns and a couple of picks. Frankie Hickson rushed nine times for 77 yards. Antonio Pipkin had three carries for five yards and a TD. Kian Schaffer-Baker caught seven passes for 76 yards and a score. Samuel Emilus had three grabs for 63 yards. Tevin Jones caught six balls for 49 yards and Jerreth Sterns had five receptions for 57 yards. On defense, Larry Dean led the team with 12 tackles. Amari Henderso had seven takedowns. Christian Albright finished with three tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery. Cody Roscoe had two tackles and a sack. CJ Reavis had a tackle, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

We got a solid shootout in last Friday with the Lions outlasting the suddenly spunky Edmonton Elks 37-29 in Week 16. Vernon Adams, Jr. was 16 of 26 passing for 265 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He added seven rushes for 54 yards. Taquan Mizzell finished with 16 carries for 112 yards and two TDs. Keon Hatcher caught four passes for 91 yards. Jevon Cottoy had four receptions for 88 yards and a score. Justin McInnis caught two balls for 22 yards and a touchdown. TJ Lee led the way on defense with seven tackles, one for a loss and a sack. Sione Teuhema had five tackles and a sack. Josh Woods finished with five tackles. Mathieu Batts had four tackles, three for a loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery. Quincy mauger and Ben Hladik both finished with three tackles and a sack each. Woody Baron had two tackles and a sack. Marucs Sayles had two tackles and a fumble recovery.

Saskatchewan is coming off a bad loss and BC is surging at the right time. The Lions look like they’re one of the three serious Grey Cup contenders and should show it in this one. Lions 34, Roughriders 20

SATURDAY

MONTREAL ALOUETTES AT OTTAWA REDBLACKS (+2, O/U: 48)

Montreal got back to .500 in the best way, crushing the Calgary Stampeders 28-11 last Saturday. Cody Fajardo finished 22 of 29 for 252 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the win. He scrambled once for 11 yards. William Stanback had 14 carries for 81 yards. Caleb Evans rushed three times for seven yards and two TDs. Tyson Philpot caught four passes for 87 yards. Tyler Snead had six grabs for 83 yards. William Stanback caught four passes for 19 yards and a TD. Darnell Sankey finished with 10 tackles. Marc-Antoine Dequoy had six tackles, a pick and a fumble recovery. Tyrice Beverette had five tackles and a forced fumble. Shawn Lemon had four tackles, one for a loss, two sacks and one interception. Wesley Sutton had four tackles and a sack. Lwal Ugak finished with three tackles, two for a loss and a sack.  

Look at you, Ottawa, finally putting it all together to get out of the CFL cellar. Last week the Redblacks piled up the points and played just enough defense to knock off the Saskatchewan Roughriders 36-28. Dustin Crum was nearly perfect at quarterback, going 21 of 26 for 243 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He added five rushes for 53 yards and a TD. Devonte Williams had 22 carries for 236 yards. Tyrrell Pigrome had two hauls for four yards and a score. Jaelon Acklin caught five passes for 66 yards. Justin Hardy had five receptions for 54 yards. Siaosi Mariner caught two balls for 45 yards and a touchdown. Bralon Addison hauled in five passes for 40 yards and a score. Adam Auclair led the defense with 10 tackles and a forced fumble. Frankie Griffin had six tackles. Bryce Carter finished with three tackles, two for a loss, three sacks and a fumble recovery. Justin Howell had three tackles, two for a loss and a fumble recovery. Deandre Lamont had three tackles and two interceptions. Brandin Dandridge had two tackles and a forced fumble. Lorenzo Mauldin IV had a tackle, a sack and a fumble recovery. Michael Wakefield finished with a tackle and a sack.

This is a respectable point spread for Ottawa for good reason, but Montreal has to be playing for something right now and it better show up Saturday. Alouettes 27, Redblacks 23

CALGARY STAMPEDERS AT HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (-1, O/U: 48.5)

The Stampeders got stampeded off the field last week, falling 28-11 to the Montreal Alouettes. Jake Maier was 29 of 37 passing for 271 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Ka’Deem Carey rushed 10 times for 70 yards. Reggie Begelton caught 13 passes for 109 yards and a TD. Marken Michel had four receptions for 56 yards. Tre Odoms-Dukes hauled in four passes for 55 yards. Branden Dozier led the team with six tackles. Micah Awe had five tackles with two for a loss. Nick Taylor added five tackles.

Hamilton got back into the CFL race, only to have that race called thoroughly thanks to a 29-14 loss to the Toronto Argonauts last Saturday. Taylor Powell finished 27 of 42 passing for 334 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the loss. He scrambled twice for 19 yards. James Butler had 13 carries for 32 yards. Kiondre Smith caught nine passes for 156 yards. Tyreik McAllister hauled in two balls for 55 yards. Terry Godwin had six receptions for 48 yards and a score. Jameer Thurman and Dexter Lawson, Jr. had six tackles apiece to lead the defense, with Thurman adding a pick. Malik Carney and three tackles, all for a loss. Javien Elliot had three tackles and an interception.

Considering that only three CFL teams don’t make the postseason, both these franchises better look at this as a playoff elimination match up. The books like Hamilton here and so do I. Tiger-Cats 24, Stampeders 16

Last week

Straight up: 4-0

Against the spread: 3-1

Season

Straight up: 46-16

Against the spread: 33-29

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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