The West continued its dominance in the CFL in Week 7 when teams from that division won all three head-to-head meetings to add to the gap in the standings between the two sides. Four of the five teams in the West division are two games above .500 or better heading in to Week 8. Meanwhile, there isn’t a single team in the East that is .500 or better. The lack of a true championship contender early on has the Hamilton Tiger-Cats thinking that they can turn things around following a 0-6 start. The reality is that might not be a stretch considering they are only three games back of the Toronto Argonauts for the best record in the East. Here is your CFL betting rundown for Week 8.
Thursday August 10th, 2017 – 7:30 PM ET
Edmonton Eskimos @ Ottawa Redblacks
CFL Betting Odds: Redblacks -1.5
The Eskimos added another name to the infirmary last week when leading wide receiver Brandon Zylstra was injured. While they picked up a 33-28 win over Hamilton to improve to 6-0, they are pretty banged up as they head across the country to visit the nation’s capital this week. Ottawa is coming off a 33-30 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to fall to 1-5-1 on the season. However, the Redblacks still own the best point differential in the East and their record could look a lot better if they had a few more breaks early on this season. Henry Burris’ criticism of the leadership in Ottawa should ignite a spark in the Redblacks this week. Will it be enough to take down an Edmonton team that is riddled with injuries? Don’t be surprised if the Redblacks hand the Eskimos their first loss of the season this week.
Pick: Ottawa -1.5
Friday August 11th, 2017 – 7:30 PM ET
Toronto Argonauts @ Montreal Alouettes
CFL Betting Odds: NO LINE
The Argonauts will have to deal with the lasting impact of a 41-24 loss to the Calgary Stampeders when they visit Montreal this week. Ricky Ray suffered a shoulder injury in the loss. That’s why we don’t see a betting line on the board for this contest as of right now. While he isn’t expected to be out long-term, it’s impossible to think it won’t impact his performance if he is able to play. And if he’s not able to play, that’s a big loss for the Argos.
The Alouettes have had a couple of weeks to prepare for this clash and should be motivated. Montreal will improve to 3-1 at home with a win this week and move in to a tie with Toronto for top spot in the East division.
Pick: Montreal
Saturday August 12th, 2017 – 7:30 PM ET
Winnipeg Blue Bombers @ Hamilton Tiger-Cats
CFL Betting Odds: Winnipeg -2.5
The schedule doesn’t get any easier for Hamilton this week with another West division opponent paying a visit. Winnipeg is coming off back-to-back wins over Montreal and Ottawa. However, the Blue Bombers needed late comebacks to secure those victories and they still own a negative point differential heading in to Week 8. Meanwhile, the Tiger-Cats are coming off a strong showing in their Week 7 loss to Edmonton and that could give them some confidence as they return home to Tim Hortons Field. Perhaps this is the week that a motivated Hamilton team breaks through and finally captures its first win of the season.
Pick: Hamilton +2.5
Sunday August 13th, 2017 – 8:00 PM ET
B.C. Lions @ Saskatchewan Roughriders
CFL Betting Odds: B.C. -2.5
One week after BC beat the Roughriders 30-15 at home, the two sides are right back at it this week in Saskatchewan. The final score makes the game look like it was a lot closer than it actually was as the Lions took a commanding 30-0 lead before eventually letting their foot off the gas a little bit late in the fourth quarter. While the Roughriders should be motivated to bounce back in front of their own fans, home advantage isn’t enough for them to completely reverse what we saw in their performance against BC last week. Saskatchewan will deliver a better effort this week, but will still fall short against the Lions at home in the final game of Week 8.
Pick: BC -2.5
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