Welcome to another great season of CFL predictions! Each week, the panel of LWOS experts will provide their picks for the coming week’s games. Last year saw uncanny accuracy from some of our writers and this year promises to be even better with our even bigger gang of know-it-alls.
And if you think you know better than our writers, let us know! Leave your predictions in the comments area below, and we’ll include you in the weekly wrap-up. How will you stack up against Lance, Nick, Gina, Kelly, and the Matts?
CFL Predictions – Week 1
Ottawa Redblacks at Montreal Alouettes
Nick’s thoughts: The Alouettes have a dark cloud looming over their heads, generated by the internal problems that arose during the training camp. Luckily for them, they match up with the second-year Redblacks who looked weak in the preseason. Should Jon Crompton start over Dan LeFevour, he will be on a short leash. The Alouettes defense will seal the victory in their home-opener. Should Ottawa find a way to pierce through their defence, it will be because Henry Burris is connecting with his new receiver corps.
Kelly Bale: Ottawa 12 – Montreal 24
Matt Bin: Ottawa 16 – Montreal 14
Matt Crockett: Ottawa 12 – Montreal 28
Nicholas di Giovanni: Ottawa 12 – Montreal 33
Lance Keiser: Ottawa 24 – Montreal 15
Gina Schiltz: Ottawa 10 – Montreal 17
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Calgary Stampeders
Gina’s thoughts: The Grey Cup rematch – always a highly anticipated game. Hamilton is going into the game with something to prove so this match up is going to be close. MVP quarterback Bo-Levi Mitchell, Most Outstanding Canadian running back Jon Cornish, and replacements on the offensive line gives Calgary an edge. However, the defence is missing two key players from the 2014 champion team – Brett Jones and Stanley Bryant. Hamilton’s quarterback Zach Collaros was outstanding in 2014 and is undeniably a game changer when it comes to making plays out of nothing. He’s fast and versatile. Hamilton does have a couple of holes on their defensive line, but I see the game coming down to penalties. Last week, Calgary had only one penalty in the second half. It’s going to come down to a field-goal, but the Stampeders will come out on top.
Kelly Bale: Hamilton 19 – Calgary 32
Matt Bin: Hamilton 19 – Calgary 25
Matt Crockett: Hamilton 19 – Calgary 36
Nicholas di Giovanni: Hamilton 36 – Calgary 37
Lance Keiser: Hamilton 25 – Calgary 29
Gina Schiltz: Hamilton 21 – Calgary 24
Edmonton Eskimos at Toronto Argonauts
Lance’s thoughts: This home game for the double blue will likely be the first sell out the Argos have had since… well a very long time ago. The location, Fort McMurray Alberta. The key matchup will be the Argos air attack against Eskimos pass rush. If second-stringer Trevor Harris can stay clean he should be able to pick apart the Eskimos secondary in what could be a huge day for both Chad Owens and Andre Durie. For the Eskimos the game will hinge on the gritty, talented Mike Reilly, who will be itching to get back on the field after last season’s ending, which saw him hurt and the Esks falling to the eventual Grey Cup Champion Calgary Stampeders.
Last time these two clubs played each other was in October of last year at Rogers Center in Toronto, when a flurry of orange nylon ended with the Eskimos charged with over 250 penalty yards. For the Eskimos to remain in this game they will need to play mentally sound football while adjusting to the new illegal contact infraction that has been put in place this season. Take the Boatmen in a surprising week one upset.
Kelly Bale: Edmonton 24 – Toronto 17
Matt Bin: Edmonton 35 – Toronto 10
Matt Crockett: Edmonton 24 – Toronto 20
Nicholas di Giovanni: Edmonton 27 – Toronto 17
Lance Keiser: Edmonton 23 – Toronto 27
Gina Schiltz: Edmonton 24 – Toronto 17
Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Saskatchewan Roughriders
Kelly’s thoughts: Saskatchewan will field a veteran laden team with a few new additions, while Winnipeg will hope a combination of veterans and new players can help them reach the Grey Cup at home. The Bombers’ offensive line will at the mercy of the revamped Riders defensive line, leaving quarterback Drew Willy running for his life. The Riders pivot, Darian Durant, might be running as well after some retooling on his offensive line. The Rider defence was superior in 2014 but some personnel questions for Saskatchewan and what is hoped are upgrades for Winnipeg make for more parity this season. I still expect the defensive-minded Riders to come out on top this weekend.
Kelly Bale: Winnipeg 22 – Saskatchewan 29
Matt Bin: Winnipeg 17 – Saskatchewan 32
Matt Crockett: Winnipeg 28 – Saskatchewan 21
Nicholas di Giovanni: Winnipeg 27 – Saskatchewan 31
Lance Keiser: Winnipeg 27 – Saskatchewan 33
Gina Schiltz: Winnipeg 21 – Saskatchewan 30
So there we have it. Who’s right and who’s wrong? Have your say in the comments!
