For the first time all season, home teams recorded a perfect mark in a single week. The 13th slate of games in the CFL’s regular calendar saw hosts defend their turf. With the way visitors have performed in hostile environments so far in 2016, there’s a high probability that at least one road squad pulls off a victory in Week 14. Let’s dig into who that might be.
Toronto Argoanuts (5-7) @ Ottawa Redblacks (5-5-1)
Dan LeFevour gets his third consecutive start for Toronto since Ricky Ray was sidelined with a fractured rib and deflated lung. LeFevour accounted for over 700 yards of offence while going 1-1 in those games. The 29-year-old has been productive even though he’s only been in Scott Milanovich’s offence since August.
Ottawa has let a sizable lead in the East slip away. Not being able to take advantage of one of the best home crowd advantages in the CFL has hurt the Redblacks in the standings; they are 1-3-1 at TD Place.
Line: Redblacks -6
Pick: Ottawa
B.C. Lions (8-3) @ Edmonton Eskimos (5-7)
Wally Buono was busy during the bye week getting playmaker Terrell Sinkfield to sign with the Leos. B.C. was already flush with weapons—Manny Arceneaux, Bryan Burnham, Shawn Gore, Jeremiah Johnson and Chris Rainey—and the 1,000-yard receiver from 2015 makes the Lions even more dynamic. He appears set to start at slotback and could provide a boost in the return game if Rainey needs a break at all.
The Lions’ addition of an offensive threat doesn’t bode well for a porous Eskimos defence. Edmonton has allowed opponents to reach the red zone a league-worst 40 times. That means teams are putting together drives against them and at minimum coming away with a three-point try.
B.C’s rested and looking to stay ahead of Winnipeg for second place in the West.
Line: Eskimos -1
Pick: B.C.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-4) @ Calgary Stampeders (10-1-1)
Calgary might have played a large role in turning around Winnipeg’s season. Let’s explain.
Back in Week 5, the Stamps handed the Bombers a decisive 18–33 loss and sent the Blue and Gold to 1-4. Drew Willy was pulled from that game and Matt Nichols led a touchdown drive in relief. After that Nichols was named the starting quarterback and Winnipeg has ripped off seven wins in a row. Meanwhile, Willy was sent to Toronto in a blockbuster CFL trade with the Argos.
Now the Bombers enter a highly anticipated matchup with Calgary with the Stamps on a win streak of their own at nine games.
It’s hard enough to beat Calgary with how they’re humming in all three phases. Add in the fact that the Stampeders are a perfect 6-0 at McMahon Stadium and it seems even more of a long shot. Calgary has won games in many different ways and until proven otherwise, you’d be wise to jump on the Stamps back at home.
Line: Stampeders -9.5
Pick: Calgary
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-6) @ Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-10)
A beat up Ticats group limps into Regina for a date with the Riders who are enjoying the momentum of an upset, overtime victory against the defending Grey Cup champions. It seems dangerous for any team to enter Riderville just now, when it feels like Chris Jones is on the verge of having the Green and White play the way he’s been coaching hard for since he stepped foot in the prairie province.
Curtis Steele infused a physical presence for Saskatchewan in Week 13 with 13 carries for 87 yards in his first game back after missing nearly two months with a leg injury.
Take the points and a team that might have found some late-season mojo.
Line: Ticats -5
Pick: Saskatchewan
Overall record against the spread: 30-22-1
