CFL Predictions – Week 3
Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Montreal Alouettes
Matt: Drew Willy continues to impress, and although Ottawa threw a scare into them last week, they’re looking good to continue their streak this week. Meanwhile, Troy Smith and Chad Johnson gain a lot of headlines but not many yards. It’s never easy playing Montreal at Molson Stadium but Winnipeg will get the win.
Nick: Winnipeg’s explosive defence vs Montreal’s fiery offence, who will crack first? Possibly neither but it’s the Alouettes offence’s time to break through, so I got Montreal coming out on top at home.
Lance: With the comeback against Ottawa last week and all the hype surrounding Drew Willy and rookie coach Mike O’Shea, everyone expects big things from the Bombers. Montreal showed their defence is capable, they’re just waiting to tune their offence. Should be closer than expected.
Matthew Bin: Winnipeg 20 – Montreal 17
Nick di Giovanni: Winnipeg 27 – Montreal 29
Lance Keiser: Winnipeg 18 – Montreal 24
Ottawa Redblacks at Edmonton Eskimos
Matt: Ottawa’s impressive showing last week doesn’t mean squat this week. Mike Reilly is for real and the Esks are at home. The Edmonton squad came from behind to trounce Hamilton last week, but it’s unlikely Ottawa will even see a lead against the surging power in the West.
Nick: Both Edmonton and Ottawa surprised people so far, even despite the Redblacks losing their only game last week. Look for an Edmonton defence continuing to make a splash for a win at Commonwealth Stadium.
Lance: Last week Ottawa came so close to their first win in Redblacks history. This week they will be in Edmonton taking on the 2-0 Eskimos. Burris has played well in Commonwealth Stadium in the past, and this will be no different. Edmonton with wins over the winless Lions and winless Ticats may be in tough here.
Matthew Bin: Ottawa 10 – Edmonton 28
Nick di Giovanni: Ottawa 21 – Edmonton 28
Lance Keiser: Ottawa 31 – Edmonton 23
Calgary Stampeders at Toronto Argonauts
Matt: I hope Calgary had a nice restful bye week. After the Argos dismantled the Riders all over the field in week 2, no team is going to want to play them. If Ricky Ray has a good day under centre, the Argos will come out on top. If he has one of his ho-hum outings, then Bo Levi Mitchell will tip the balance. It’ll be close but Toronto will likely take it.
Nick: After Toronto’s huge win against the defending Grey Cup champs, they look to pounce on a Jon Cornish-less, 1-0 Calgary Stampeders, in a rematch of the 2012 Grey Cup. Should be a very high scoring affair with the Argonauts getting the better of the Stamps.
Lance: The double blue shockingly blew away the Riders last week, in a game I personally attended in front of a Rider-friendly crowd at Rogers Center. Calgary coming off a bye week should be rested, but this early in the season that could spell trouble.
Matthew Bin: Calgary 21 – Toronto 24
Nick di Giovanni: Calgary 33 – Toronto 37
Lance Keiser: Calgary 27 – Toronto 33
BC Lions at Saskatchewan Roughriders
Matt: Saskatchewan will be out for blood after their humiliation in Dead Ted’s Dome last week. Kevin Glenn has showed little of the spark that made him a star a few years back. BC is wading into a sea of angry green this week, and they’ll be luckily to make it out alive. The Riders will get both the win and some pride back in this one.
Nick: The Lions look more like cubs without their king Travis Lulay. Veteran Kevin Glenn has lost his touch and is far from in control in Vancouver. Saskatchewan is coming off a humbling loss to Toronto and are looking to get their mojo back with a win at home.
Lance: One team is winless and one is coming home with sore behind, so something is going to change. Kevin Glenn has thrown six picks in his two starts this season; that trend will continue facing the rush of Chick, Foley and Co. The Riders will have a rough week of practice and at home should have the edge.
Matthew Bin: BC 7 – Saskatchewan 30
Nick di Giovanni: BC 12 – Saskatchewan 29
Lance Keiser: BC 15 – Saskatchewan 27
Week 2 Notes
No one gave Ottawa or Hamilton much credit, and they were right; no one saw BC’s or Saskatchewan’s ineptitude coming either, and they were wrong. All the writers were 2-2 last week, although Lance’s score predictions were uncannily accurate for the two games he got right.
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