The CFL regular season wraps up this weekend with a full slate of games but the six playoff teams have been determined so the focus is already starting to shift to the postseason. The Calgary Stampeders ended the season on a low note with a surprising loss to the Montreal Alouettes in which they rested their starting quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell – despite that they won’t play another game for three weeks thanks to having Week 20 off followed by a bye week in the opening round of the playoffs. It was a really bizarre situation as a lot of CFL betting experts had expected the Stamps to really try as they had a regular season record on the line. Instead, they suffered just their second loss of the season.
How will the final week of the regular season play out without any major playoff implications to factor in to the equation? Here is your CFL betting rundown for Week 20.
Friday, November 4
Winnipeg Blue Bombers @ Ottawa Redblacks
CFL Betting Odds: Winnipeg -3
The Blue Bombers have clinched a playoff spot but they could still finish second, third or in the crossover spot depending on how Week 20 plays out. Winnipeg will look to finish their season on a high note with a win at Ottawa this week and considering the Redblacks have already locked up top spot in the East division that shouldn’t be too difficult. Ottawa has four wide receivers that have more than 1,000 yards this season but it’s unlikely they will open the offense in a relatively meaningless game this week as they aim to stay healthy for a Grey Cup run.
Picks: Winnipeg -3
Saturday, November 5
Montreal Alouettes @ Hamilton Tiger-Cats
CFL Betting Odds: Hamilton -3.5
Hamilton is set to host the East semi-final as the second seed in the division but they still have something to play for as they look to give Zach Collaros another opportunity to re-establish his presence after he missed some time with a concussion. The Alouettes picked up a big team win over Calgary last week but it won’t be nearly as easy for them this week if Collaros plays for the Tiger-Cats. Look for Hamilton to continue their playoff preparations by playing this game as if it means something to them in the standings as they look to be firing on all cylinders heading in to the postseason.
Picks: Hamilton -3.5
Saturday, November 5
Toronto Argonauts @ Edmonton Eskimos
CFL Betting Odds: Edmonton -6.5
The Eskimos are coming off a comeback win over Hamilton and they will need to win this game in order to avoid the crossover game and have to travel to face the Tiger-Cats in the East semi-final. It may not be the worst news, though, as Edmonton is 5-5 against their division compared to 4-3 against the East.
A win and a Blue Bombers loss will result in a semi-final showdown with BC and there isn’t any reason to expect Edmonton to let its foot off the gas at this point. The Eskimos were fined for refusing to wear microphones for live CFL television broadcasts and they certainly have a chip on their shoulder right now. Toronto has nothing left to play for coming off its bye this week so look for a lopsided win for Edmonton this week.
Pick: Edmonton -8.5
Saturday, November 5
Saskatchewan Roughriders @ BC Lions
CFL Betting Odds: BC -2.5
BC closed down Mosaic Stadium with a 24-6 win over Saskatchewan and now return home with a chance to clinch second place in the West and host the Western semi-final. They have been so-so at home this season as they are just 5-3 in front of their own audience. They are 6-3 on the road.
The Lions shouldn’t have a tough time against a Roughriders’ team that couldn’t slow down their offense in their final home game, so look for BC to pick up a lopsided win and clinch home field advantage for their first playoff game. The Roughriders have allowed a division-high 489 points so far this season. The only team that’s given up more points than them is the Toronto Argonauts (527).
Pick: BC -4.5
