The 105th edition of the CFL’s Grey Cup will go off on Sunday in Ottawa. The Calgary Stampeders outlasted their rivals from Edmonton last week, which means they have advanced to the Grey Cup for the second consecutive season. As for the East, it was the Toronto Argonauts who surprisingly made it through.
The Calgary Stampeders have been the best team in the league all season as they try to get back on top to the final after losing last season. They’ll meet the Toronto Argonauts, who are trying to extend their CFL record of Grey Cups, which is currently at 16.
Calgary Stampeders vs. Toronto Argonauts
Odds: Stampeders -7
The Stampeders won the West final after a thrilling 32-28 win over their rivals from Edmonton at home, and the Eskimos scored the first two touchdowns of the game, but the Stampeders kept plugging away. Bo Levi Mitchell was 20-of-32 for 228 yards and a touchdown, while Roy Finch ran for 81 yards and a score on just four carries and Kamar Jorden had six catches for 111 yards for the Stampeders, who ran for 182 yards as a team. It has been a great season for the Stampeders, who finished 13-4-1 to win the bye, but they did look sluggish coming out in this game as they also struggled down the stretch. However, they woke up quickly and now have the chance to win their eighth Grey Cup.
The Argonauts took the East final by holding off a furious Saskatchewan rally for a 25-21 win as they allowed 18 points in the fourth quarter, but Toronto would do just enough to get to the Grey Cup. Ricky Ray was 28-of-39 for 266 yards, a touchdown and a pick, while James Wilder had 14 carries for 52 yards, and then he had eight receptions for 52 yards for the Argonauts, whose defense forced four turnovers, including three interceptions. This helped the Argonauts overcome their own turnover issues as they had three themselves, and things got a little scary in the final quarter, but they’re moving on to Ottawa.
The Stampeders have won nine of their last 10 meetings with the Argonauts, covering in seven of those games with six of the games going under the posted total. Their first 2017 meeting came in Week 7 as the Stampeders rolled to a 41-24 win in Toronto as Mitchell threw for 249 yards and three scores, Finch had a punt-return touchdown and the defense forced two turnovers while sacking Ray three times. The Stampeders then stifled the Argonauts in Week 10 in a 23-7 win at home with Mitchell throwing for 384 yards, a pair of touchdowns and a pick, and the Calgary defense got three more sacks while holding the Argonauts to 238 yards. Calgary lost a little of their focus down the stretch after they had clinched a playoff spot, but going down early to Edmonton was just the spark they needed and they should come out fast on Sunday. The Argonauts are going to have their hands full and they need to get to Mitchell as they were tied for the CFL lead in sacks with 50. However, they were tied with Calgary, who allowed the fewest points all season and they have simply been the best team in the league.
Pick: Stampeders -7
Betting The Total
Taking a look at the total for this game, it opened up at 51 but the action has been pushing the line in one direction: to the over. It now sits at 53. In terms of offense, the Stampeders were the second-highest scoring team in the CFL this season, managing 523 points. Their defense was tops in the league in terms of points allowed, giving up 349. As for the Argos, they scored 482 points and allowed 456, which was right in the middle of the pack on both counts.
In terms of the stats, the Stamps saw seven of their eight non-conference games go over the number. However, eight of their 10 games against winning teams stayed under. For Toronto, there aren’t as many clear-cut trends. However, four of the last six meetings between the sides have gone under.
Pick: Under
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