CFL Predictions – Week 2
Ottawa Redblacks at Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Matt: The East Division leaders visit Winnipeg, and they’re bringing with them all the unknowns and lack of readiness an expansion team needs to deal with. The Bombers smacked an unprepared Argonauts team around last week, and they look like they’ll have a relatively easy second week too.
Lance: Ottawa football is back and citizens there should be excited, except for one problem: the game is out west in Winnipeg, where Drew Willy showed he could be the guy for the Bombers who so desperately needed someone to take control. With Ottawa just starting out I expect a few miscues despite having Burris under center.
Matthew Bin:Ottawa 14 – Winnipeg 24
Nicholas di Giovanni:Ottawa 6 – Winnipeg 28
Lance Keiser:Ottawa 27 – Winnipeg 33
BC Lions at Montreal Alouettes
Matt: Both teams chalked up losses in their opening week, and both underperformed. Travis Lulay was a late scratch for BC, and stand-in Kevin Glenn had a strong start, but giving up four picks isn’t going to win many games. If Glenn is given room to work, though, BC has a strong offence. Meanwhile, Montreal still has a potent offence but Troy Smith had better become a much better quarterback very soon, because so far he’s been pathetic. This one is BC’s to lose.
Lance: With the embarrassment of last week’s crushing defeat almost behind them, Montreal finds themselves in the comfort of their home stadium and great fan base. Their offense still needs to be tweaked for 1-2 more weeks before we see much. B.C. performed well and maybe deserved a better fate last week; that’s going to change this week.
Matthew Bin: BC 33 – Montreal 9
Nicholas di Giovanni: BC 31 – Montreal 11
Lance Keiser: BC 26 – Montreal 19
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Edmonton Eskimos
Matt: Ticats fans knew that there was a lot of churn in the Grey Cup finalist team, but they hoped last week that the tools were in place to make up for it. Those hopes were dashed, and Zach Collaros, while performing well when vertical, was sent to the turf ten times, snuffing out almost every drive. Edmonton, though, won only on the strength of 14 points off turnovers. Hamilton’s had a few days to sort out the O-line and D-line, but it won’t be enough. Edmonton had only four wins in 2013, and they should get halfway to that mark this week.
Lance: The Eskies had a great game last week against B.C and got the W. This week they are welcoming Hamilton to Commonwealth stadium. Hamilton played badly in their opener in Regina; they are in trouble with protecting the line on offence. That needs to change fast, but it won’t this week.
Matthew Bin: Hamilton 17 – Edmonton 21
Nicholas di Giovanni: Hamilton 12 – Edmonton 26
Lance Keiser: Hamilton 24 – Edmonton 30
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Toronto Argonauts
Matt: Last week, Saskatchewan looked like the team to beat, and the Argonauts looked like a fun team to beat on. The big green defence will make life difficult for Ricky Ray, who has a lot to live up to with his half-season MVP award last year. The remaining dozen or so fans at Skydome will have an unpleasant afternoon as the double blue are picked mercilessly apart.
Lance: The Riders played well in their home opener, showing that if you keep the defensive line and offensive line together, you will have success – no matter who the opposing QB is, and no matter who is running the football. Toronto did not have what it takes in Winnipeg for the win last week, and Drew Willy lit up their secondary. With Durant having good protection, expect a big day for Saskatchewan in the air.
Matthew Bin: Saskatchewan 35 – Toronto 10
Nicholas di Giovanni: Saskatchewan 27 – Toronto 20
Lance Keiser: Saskatchewan 37 – Toronto 25
Week 1 Notes
Only Lance picked Winnipeg over Toronto last week; he was also the only one to give Montreal a chance over Calgary, though, so it was a wash. No one saw Edmonton coming in with the comeback, either. All three writers ended up at 2 and 2 last week.
Think you can do better? Leave your predictions in the comments and we’ll see how you fare compared to our self-styled CFL experts!
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