The Calgary Stampeders improved to 9-1-1 with a memorable comeback against the Edmonton Eskimos in week 12. Trailing 17-3 at half, the Stampeders rallied back to force overtime and eventually won the game 34-28. At this point it’s starting to look like no team will be able to catch Calgary in the West, with the BC Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers hoping they get a little help from the Ottawa Redblacks this week. Here is your CFL betting rundown for week 13.
Friday September 16
Montreal Alouettes @ Hamilton Tiger-Cats
CFL Betting Odds: Hamilton -10
The parity we saw in week one of the NFL season simply doesn’t exist in the CFL at this point, as illustrated by all four favorites for this week being listed at minus-five or more. That includes the Tiger-Cats versus Montreal following their back-to-back wins over the Toronto Argonauts. Zach Collaros struggled to find a rhythm against Toronto last week but should get back on track against a Montreal side that seems outmatched on both sides of the football this week. Look for Collaros to find his rhythm and take care of business in convincing fashion against the Alouettes.
Pick: Hamilton -10
Saturday September 17
Toronto Argonauts @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers
CFL Betting Odds: Winnipeg -6
It won’t take long for the Blue Bombers to get a look at Drew Willy with their former quarterback back in town less than a week after he was traded to Toronto. Winnipeg has won six straight on the shoulders of Matt Nichols and a stingy defense, and they will need both their quarterback and defense to perform at a high level this week with running back Andrew Harris potentially sidelined. It should take some time for the Argos to get Willy prepared with what they want to do on offense so it won’t be surprise if the Blue Bombers win and cover at home.
Pick: Winnipeg -6
Saturday September 17
Ottawa Redblacks @ Calgary Stampeders
CFL Betting Odds: Calgary -9
Calgary has looked simply unstoppable throughout the first 12 weeks of the CFL season and that shouldn’t change with the Redblacks in town this weekend. It’s a matchup of the top two teams in each division, but at a closer look, there is a big difference between these sides. The Stamps are an impressive 9-1 while Ottawa is just 5-4-1. Calgary has looked great on both sides of the ball. Their offense has been clicking all year long as their 357 points scored are the most in the league. At the same time, their 237 points allowed are the fewest of any CFL team as well. They are very balanced.
However, Ottawa is coming off a bye week and Trevor Harris and company have traveled well this season with a 4-1 record away from home. Oddly enough, they haven’t fared so well at home as they are just 1-3-1 in front of their home audience. The Redblacks should be rested and focused for a tough matchup against the Stampeders so even if they fall just short they should cover a spread that appears to be a lot higher than it should be.
Pick: Ottawa +9
Sunday September 18
Edmonton Eskimos @ Saskatchewan Roughriders
CFL Betting Odds: Edmonton -5
While Calgary has dominated the CFL through the first 12 weeks of the season, the Roughriders are at the other end of the spectrum with just one win through their first 10 games. The math is quite simple for them. While they have a number of flaws on the team, the bottom line is that they’ve scored the fewest points in the CFL this season yet they’ve allowed the most. No team has given up more than their 364 points and no team has scored less than their 205.
Saskatchewan showed some fight in back-to-back one-score losses to the Blue Bombers but they will be in tough against an Eskimos team that will be eager to get back on track following consecutive losses to Calgary. This will be an excellent opportunity for Edmonton to get back in to the win column and five points isn’t enough to scare us away from betting on them to win and cover as the favorites.
Pick: Edmonton -5
