We’re officially in the playoff stretch now, and it’s time to fire up the LWOS Predict-o-matic again as the crew calls the winners and scores. It’s CFL Predictions, Volume 16.
CFL Predictions Week 16
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Toronto Argonauts
Steve’s thoughts: After the painful Labour day game between the Argos and Ticats, who would have thought their week 16 matchup would feature two of the hottest teams in the league? With travel not being a factor, and the noise level in Toronto likely being split by hordes of Ticats fans, the game is essentially being played on a neutral site. It comes down to the players on the field and each coaching staff’s game plan. The Argos seem to have the more explosive offence, averaging over 35 points per game in their last three games. The Ticats bring the league’s #1 ranked rush defense to the dome, having given up just 79 yards per contest. Slight edge to the Argos.
Matthew Bin: Hamilton 35 – Toronto 31
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Hamilton 22 – Toronto 18
Steve Gifkins: Hamilton 28 – Toronto 31
Lance Keiser: Hamilton 19 – Toronto 27
Ottawa Redblacks at B.C. Lions
Nick’s thoughts: The Redblacks surprised everyone last week with a dominating home win over the once highly-praised Winnipeg Blue Bombers, with three interceptions for the defence and two Jonathan Williams rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, B.C. managed to lose a game in Hamilton without giving up a single touchdown. Kevin Glenn’s offence was far from good last week. With only two wins all season, Redblacks have a tough game, going on the road all the way out west to B.C. Kevin Glenn will want redemption against the team that released him and he might just get it this week. It should be a closely contested game – hopefully not the 7-5 outcome they had in their last meeting. But the Lions will narrowly beat out the expansion Redblacks.
Matthew Bin: Ottawa 15 – B.C. 22
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Ottawa 26 – B.C. 27
Steve Gifkins: Ottawa 10 – B.C. 41
Lance Keiser: Ottawa 28 – B.C. 23
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Montreal Alouettes
Lance’s thoughts: One team is 4-1 in their last five and coming off a bye, the other is looking for answers. Last week Saskatchewan may have found their answer: Tino Sunseri looked very good in the second half against Calgary, going 16-19 for 289 yards. The Riders will likely start the young pivot over Seth Doege, who clearly needs more grooming. Montreal on the other hand are in the thick of a race to first place in the East division. Knowing that either Toronto or Hamilton will come away with a loss, the Als know what’s at stake in this game. Unfortunately for them the Riders have something bigger to prove.
Matthew Bin: Saskatchewan 24 – Montreal 20
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Saskatchewan 15 – Montreal 28
Steve Gifkins: Saskatchewan 27 – Montreal 26
Lance Keiser: Saskatchewan 24 – Montreal 17
Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Edmonton Eskimos
Matt’s thoughts: Winnipeg once looked like serious contenders for a home game in the West; now the question is how far they’ll fall before the end of the season. Losing big to the Redblacks last week just throws the team’s power more into question. The Eskimos, meanwhile, lost a close one in Toronto last week after blanking the Riders the week before. Mike Reilly has a strong, well-organized offence, and they’re playing at home; this one is Edmonton’s to lose.
Matthew Bin: Winnipeg 19 – Edmonton 31
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Winnipeg 3 – Edmonton 26
Steve Gifkins: Winnipeg 28 – Edmonton 24
Lance Keiser: Winnipeg 26 – Edmonton 13
Week 15 Notes
Nick and Steve had a rough week, both getting two right and two wrong. Matt and Lance, meanwhile, tore it up with a perfect 4-0 score, picking every game correctly. Nick did, however, call the Hamilton-B.C. game within one point, which should be worth something. It’s not, but it should be.
Commenter salty1264 offered a rambling rant instead of his usual compact predictions, and ended up 3-1. Unfortunately, he took the homerism a little too far and promised to eat his hat if Ottawa beat Winnipeg. Feeling hungry, salty?
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