The 2018 CFL season will kick off on Thursday in Winnipeg. It feels great to have football back but of course, the Blue Bombers enter on a bit of a downer. They’ll be without qaurterback Matt Nichols for at least the next month. There are nine teams in the league, so keep in mind that one team will get a bye as the Ottawa Redblacks will start the season on the sidelines.
Edmonton Eskimos @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Odds: Eskimos -7
The big news for this Thursday game is that the Blue Bombers will start rookie Chris Streveler at quarterback. Streveler will replace Matt Nichols, who has a knee injury and will be out for four to six weeks. The Blue Bombers do still have some weapons, especially running back Andrew Harris and a deep receiving core. The Eskimos are led by Mike Reilly, last season’s Most Outstanding Player. But their defense was up and down during a rollercoaster 2017. The Eskimos are 7-3 SU in their last ten meetings with the Blue Bombers, who are 4-5-1 ATS during that time. Look for Winnipeg to keep it close at home. Odds are courtesy of BetDSI.
Pick: Blue Bombers +7
Toronto Argonauts @ Saskatchewan Roughriders
Odds: Argonauts -1.5
The Argonauts begin their Grey Cup defense on Friday in Saskatchewan, and they will certainly be happy that James Wilder returned after a contract dispute. The Argonauts also made some moves on the defensive side of the ball, notably linebacker Taylor Reed, that should shore up that unit. The Roughriders made a lot of moves on both sides of the ball, like signing running back Jerome Messam and defensive end Charleston Hughes. But who is the starting quarterback? Will it be Zach Collaros or Brandon Bridge? No one seems to know yet, and that is not a good sign. The Argonauts are 6-4 SU and 5-5 ATS in their last ten meetings with the Roughriders, who have won and covered in three of the last four. They will be out to avenge last season’s playoff loss to the Argonauts.
Pick: Roughridgers +1.5
Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ Calgary Stampeders
Odds: Stampeders -9
The Stampeders were the class of the CFL last season before they were upset in the Grey Cup by Toronto. Calgary comes into this season in good shape, but Terry Williams will be under pressure to be the next in a long line of great Stampeder running backs after Messam. The Tiger-Cats made waves by signing Johnny Manziel in the offseason, but Jeremiah Masoli will run the show for Hamilton. The Tiger-Cats were much better in the second half of last season when Masoli was under center. Calgary is 18-2 SU in their last 20 against the Tiger-Cats, winning 13 straight. They have covered in 11 of the 20 games
Pick: Stampeders -9
Montreal Alouettes @ British Columbia Lions
Odds: Lions -6.5
Two of the most disappointing teams of 2017 meet in British Columbia. The Lions have to hope that Jonathon Jennings plays like he did in 2016, but last year he got bit by the interception bug. The Alouettes would love to have that problem as it looks like Drew Willy will be the starter at quarterback. The defense for the Alouettes could be very good, but like last year, they could spend far too much time on the field. The Lions are 7-3 SU and ATS (they have won and covered in the last five meetings) in their last ten against the Alouettes.
Pick: Lions -6.5
