The CFL playoffs are down to four teams as the divisional games are set. Last week, we saw a couple of somewhat tight games but nothing that led to serious nail-biting. Both road teams found success as the Saskatchewan Roughriders went to Ottawa and earned a 31-20 win. As for the other game, we saw the Edmonton Eskimos go to Winnipeg and claim a 39-32 victory.
The Roughriders got the job done thanks to a stellar ground game. Marcus Thigpen had a whopping 169 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries. As a team, the Roughriders had 212 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The RedBlacks couldn’t get their rushing game going and found themselves in a big deficit. They only had 13 rushing attempts in total compared to 60 passing attempts for Trevor Harris. While Harris had 457 passing yards and two touchdowns, he also had a couple of picks.
In the other game, we saw a lot of second half scoring after the teams went into the locker room tied at 10 apiece. However, the Eskimos offense really got going in the third quarter, scoring 15 points and taking control of the game. They would go on to add another 14 in the fourth quarter to earn the win.
Looking ahead to this Sunday’s games, in the East, the Toronto Argonauts got the bye for winning the division and they’ll host the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who got in via the crossover spot. In the West, it’s a good ole’ fashioned rivalry as the champion Calgary Stampeders host the Edmonton Eskimos.
Saskatchewan Roughriders @ Toronto Argonauts
CFL Betting Odds: RedBlacks -2
The Roughriders were up 21-8 by the end of the first half and didn’t look back in a 31-20 win in Ottawa, and Marcus Thigpen had 15 carries for 169 yards and a score to lead the way. Kevin Glenn was18-of-28 for 252 yards and a touchdown for the Roughriders, who allowed 515 yards, but they also forced four turnovers. The two teams have split their last 10 meetings, although the Roughriders have won the last three and they’re 6-4 ATS during those games. The Roughriders won 38-27 at home in Week 6 as Glenn threw for 340 yards and four touchdowns, while Brandon Bridge came in to throw for 292 yards and a pair of scores in a 27-24 win in Toronto in Week 16. Glenn will probably be under center for the Roughriders, who looked great against the RedBlacks, but you definitely have to factor in Toronto’s bye week, and they won both of their games after bye weeks in 2017. Ricky Ray has played well in the two losses, but the Argonauts have to get James Wilder going out of the backfield.
CFL Betting Pick: Argonauts -2.5
Edmonton Eskimos @ Calgary Stampeders
CFL Betting Odds: Eskimos -1.5
The Eskimos were led by Mike Reilly in a 39-32 win in Winnipeg as he went 23-of-33 for 334 yards and three touchdowns, while C.J. Gable added 107 yards and a pair of scores on 16 carries. The Eskimos forced three turnovers, including two on downs, and they paved a path to the divisional final to meet the Stampeders, who lost their last three games of the season, including two at home and that’s not encouraging. They didn’t even really play well in any of them, and they’re 6-4 SU and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 meetings with the Eskimos. The Stampeders won 39-18 at home on Labour Day weekend as the defense forced four turnovers out of the Eskimos, then Calgary won 25-22 in Edmonton five days later as Bo Levi Mitchell led a late touchdown drive. The Eskimos won 29-20 in Week 19 at home as Reilly threw for 284 yards and three touchdowns. You have to hope that the Stampeders were just cruising to the playoffs as their losses came after they had clinched, so it is easy for a team to lose focus. It might be a good thing that they’re playing their provincial rivals because nothing gets Calgary up for a game like a rivalry game, even more than meeting Saskatchewan. The Stampeders should rebound this week and make their way back to the Grey Cup.
CFL Betting Pick: Stampeders -5
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