CFL Predictions – Week 1

Toronto Argonauts at Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Matt: Ricky Ray is already in mid-season form, and Winnipeg is still Winnipeg. Picking Ray as the league MVP last year was ridiculous, and he was hurling bricks through the eastern final; but he’s showing the quality that made him a feared quarterback through at least part of the 2013 season. Meanwhile, we’d love to see a new and improved Bombers squad come out for this one, but there’s little indication that that will happen. They kept their games close in pre-season play but those were pre-season games. Now that the scores matter, they’re doomed.

Lance: I got Drew Willy and the bombers shocking the Double Blue, and for once playing well in a home opener. Bombers by 10.

Predictions

Matthew Bin: Toronto 31 – Winnipeg 11

Nicholas Di Giovanni: Toronto 33 – Winnipeg 10

Lance Keiser: Toronto 17 – Winnipeg 27

Montreal Alouettes at Calgary Stampeders

Matt: Montreal fired their offensive coordinator, apparently in accordance with Utah state law. That means that much of their off-season preparation is for nil. Calgary struggled in the pre-season, including a big loss to BC and a close-fought home game to Winnipeg. But Drew Tate is running the Stampeders show, which counts for something. Does Montreal’s coaching disarray mean more than Calgary’s dispirited June display? You bet it does, especially with Calgary opening the season at home. Montreal’s in trouble here.

Lance: With Bo Levi Mitchell at the helm, the Stamps will give the Als a heavy dose of Cornish. Troy Smith will counter using his offensive weapons. In what I expect to be a sloppy contest, Als by 3.

Predictions

Matthew Bin: Montreal 13 – Calgary 35

Nicholas Di Giovanni: Montreal 17 – Calgary 22

Lance Keiser: Montreal 21 – Calgary 18

Edmonton Eskimos at BC Lions

Matt: Edmonton was 2-0 in the preseason, but that was in spite of very poor offensive production. Last year Mike Reilly was a good quarterback in charge of a poor team. Travis Lulay is a good quarterback in charge of a good team. Nothing’s changed significantly here, and Lulay is the class of the league at pivot. BC should have a nice easy start here.

Lance: Really no contest here: the Lions will prove too strong and assert themselves as the early-on heavyweights in the west. Lions by 7.

Predictions

Matthew Bin: Edmonton 14 – BC 25

Nicholas Di Giovanni: Edmonton 15 – BC 27

Lance Keiser: Edmonton 21 – BC 28

Hamilton Tiger-cats at Saskatchewan Roughriders

Matt: This Grey Cup rematch is likely to be the most watchable contest in week 1. Zach Collaros proved himself more than adequate last year in Toronto, but Hamilton’s pass protection is suspect, especially if the first stringers aren’t on the field. They’ve already seen a few injuries, too. The Green Machine, meanwhile, has Darian Durant at the peak of his career. But his favourite target Weston Dressler is gone to Kansas City, and Kory Sheets is with the Oakland Raiders until at least Labour Day, possibly longer if he cracks the squad. Lots of unknowns on both sides of the field means an exciting Sunday night matchup. Popcorn required.

Lance: A rematch of last year’s Grey Cup. With the Riders missing a lot of pieces from last year’s magical run they will be relying heavy on their very poised and experienced coaching staff and Darian Durant who was lights out vs the opposition in last year’s playoffs. The Ti-cats are over matched and playing in Regina against the best crowd in the CFL.  Riders in a walk by 14.

Predictions

Matthew Bin: Hamilton 28 – Saskatchewan 30

Nicholas Di Giovanni: Hamilton 9 – Saskatchewan 19

Lance Keiser: Hamilton 20 – Saskatchewan 34

 

There are our picks, folks — who’s right and who’s an idiot? Enter your predictions in the comments.

For more on sports injuries, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.

Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on twitter – @coffeewriting. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter  – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.

Football fans…check out our two partnered NFL podcasts – Thursday Night Tailgate Radio and Overtime Ireland.  Both shows bring you interesting commentary, critical analysis and fantastic guests including former and current NFL players, coaches and personalities.

Main Photo: