The Calgary Stampeders will take on the Ottawa Redblacks in the 104th Grey Cup at BMO Field in Toronto this Sunday. The Stampeders are coming off a historically good regular season in which they finished with a 15-2-1 record and now they have the opportunity to put a bow on it with what would be the most important win of them all on the biggest stage this weekend. Meanwhile, the Redblacks took a much different route after clinching the East division with an 8-9-1 and then barely surviving a tough test from the Edmonton Eskimos in last week’s Eastern Final. None of that will matter when the two teams take the field on Sunday but Calgary will be expected to take care of business as a nine-point favorite on the CFL betting lines.
How They Got Here: Calgary Stampeders
The Stampeders were the best team in the CFL the entire season. They were so good that they had a chance to set a record for the most regular season wins ever. Instead, they decided to rest up and focus on the Grey Cup, which showed last week when they pummeled the B.C. Lions 42-15. The Stamps led the CFL in points scored (586) and points allowed (369). The only thing that’s going to stop them this weekend is themselves. They should roll to a victory here if they’re focused.
How They Got Here: Ottawa Redblacks
The Redblacks were also the top team in their division, but they had a very different type of season. They didn’t even finish with a .500 record as they were 8-9-1 on the yeary. They produce just 17 points. They weren’t even first in their division in terms of points scored (Hamilton was first) and they weren’t first in points allowed either (Montreal was). However, the Redblacks beat Edmonton last week in the crossover matchup after Edmonton had beaten Hamilton in the semifinals. Now the Redblacks have landed themselves in the Grey Cup.
Calgary Stampeders vs. Ottawa Redblacks
BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario
Sunday November 27th, 2016 – 6:30 PM ET
CFL Betting Line: Calgary -9
The Stampeders offense has been absolutely unstoppable so far this season with Bo Levi Mitchell leading the CFL in touchdown passes and finishing second in passing yards. Mitchell has thrown at least two touchdowns in 13 of his 18 games including the playoffs and he will look to spread the ball around again this weekend against an Ottawa defense that gave up the fourth-most points in the CFL this season.
Meanwhile, it will be the veteran Henry Burris leading the Redblacks on the other side of the football as they attempt to keep up with Calgary’s high-flying attack. Burris has a ton of options on offense with Ernest Jackson and Greg Ellingson both finishing in the top-seven in receiving yards this season but he will have his work cut out for him trying to keep up with Mitchell. Chris Williams’ injury is a major blow to the Redblacks offense as it gives Burris one less option to air the ball out to this weekend. Burris will need to play mistake-free football and avoid turnovers in order for Ottawa to have any shot at keeping this game close. These teams tied all the way back in Week 3 but the Stampeders blew away the Redblacks in a 48-23 win in their most recent meeting in Week 13. Ottawa should be able to keep it closer in the cold, snowy conditions at BMO Field this weekend but don’t expect the Redblacks to cover against a Calgary team that is looking to leave its mark in the history books and cap off an incredible season with a Grey Cup win. Take them with your CFL betting picks.
CFL Betting Pick: Calgary -9
Total: 54.5
These teams combined for 71 points back in Week 13 and while the winter conditions could limit their scoring potential a little bit this weekend it seems as though 54.5 is a little too low to be the total. Both teams rely heavily on high-flying offenses and there is still a chance that the conditions could take a toll on the defenses if they make tackling that much more difficult. Even if this game isn’t as high scoring as their previous matchup, the Stampeders and Redblacks should combine for enough points to push this game over the total.
CFL Betting Pick: Over
