The LWOS Predict-O-Matic: fuelled by misplaced confidence and broken dreams since 2013. Much like Ticats fans. Let’s look at how the LWOS crew called their CFL predictions week 5. Gina’s away so it’s just the boys at play for this week.
Calgary Stampeders at Ottawa Redblacks
Lance’s thoughts: Calgary has shown some vulnerability this season, while Ottawa still plays like an expansion team. The only reason this game will be close is because it’s being played in Ottawa’s rowdy TD Place in Ottawa. Calgary will need Cornish to play like he did last game to provide Mitchell with the time to throw the ball downfield and open up a two-dimensional Stamps attack. Ottawa will need to take advantage of the energy from the crowd early, but even if they do, it will be downhill from there.
Kelly Bale: Calgary 32 – Ottawa 11
Matthew Bin: Calgary 29 – Ottawa 15
Matthew Crockett: Calgary 35 – Ottawa 14
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Calgary 27 – Ottawa 15
Connor Ferguson: Calgary 35 – Ottawa 21
Lance Keiser: Calgary 27 – Ottawa 25
Michael Wilts: Calgary 35 – Ottawa 24
Toronto Argonauts at B.C. Lions
Kelly’s thoughts: The Argos have had an impressive start to 2015 despite their horrible schedule. They sit atop the eastern division standings with a record of 2-1, thanks to contributions from new faces and old. Trevor Harris and Chad Owens have found some chemistry over the past two weeks but I don’t think we’ve seen the best from them yet. But the B.C. Lions are hitting their stride after convincing back-to-back victories over the Saskatchewan Roughriders where the Lions outplayed their opposition in all three phases of the game. Rookie punter Richie Leone and veteran quarterback Travis Lulay are leading the way with some great numbers. The field position Leone’s leg has bought Travis Lulay has been game changing. Take the Lions plus four points in what should be the CFL’s game of the week.
Kelly Bale: Toronto 22 – B.C. 27
Matthew Bin: Toronto 26 – B.C. 32
Matthew Crockett: Toronto 28 – B.C. 25
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Toronto 27 – B.C. 24
Connor Ferguson: Toronto 28 – B.C. 27
Lance Keiser: Toronto 31 – B.C. 26
Michael Wilts: Toronto 20 – B.C. 28
Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Edmonton Eskimos
Mike’s thoughts: The pesky Bombers are like mosquitos buzzing in the Eskimos ears over the last five games at Commonwealth Stadium. It’s no secret the Eskimos have the top-ranked defence in the CFL, which should be prefect repellent for Winnipeg’s second-ranked offence. The Bombers front seven have a hard time stopping the run, which will have the Eskimos rookie running back Shakir Bell licking his chops after his impressive debut last week. The key to an Eskimos win is forcing the Bombers to play on a longer field, a battle the Eskimos can win with solid defense and capitalizing offensively as Nichols gets more comfortable throwing the ball.
Kelly Bale: Winnipeg 26 – Edmonton 38
Matthew Bin: Winnipeg 22 – Edmonton 30
Matthew Crockett: Winnipeg 28 – Edmonton 24
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Winnipeg 17 – Edmonton 33
Connor Ferguson: Winnipeg 20 – Edmonton 34
Lance Keiser: Winnipeg 20 – Edmonton 26
Michael Wilts: Winnipeg 12 – Edmonton 33
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Saskatchewan Roughriders
Matt C’s thoughts: This is it! This is the week the losing stops. The Riders are facing the Ticats in Regina with all those angry watermelons. Hamilton had a low scoring defensive battle last week with Montreal that dropped them to 1-2. This will be Hamilton’s fourth road game this season and will be in the most hostile territory possible: Mosaic Stadium is going to be very loud this Friday. Both teams have shown that they can get the ball into the end zone but are lacking defensive stopping power. Look for Dressler to run the score up early but expect Collaros to connect with Banks to even the game up later on.
Kelly Bale: Hamilton 17 – Saskatchewan 42
Matthew Bin: Hamilton 35 – Saskatchewan 19
Matthew Crockett: Hamilton 21 – Saskatchewan 24
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Hamilton 42 – Saskatchewan 9
Connor Ferguson: Hamilton 45 – Saskatchewan 20
Lance Keiser: Hamilton 35 – Saskatchewan 31
Michael Wilts: Hamilton 43 – Saskatchewan 30
Week 4 Notes
New LWOS columnist Michael Wilts claims he predicted the outcome of every game correctly this week, but unfortunately he didn’t send his picks in time… which is a shame, because everyone else at LWOS picked the Tiger-Cats to win the first game, leaving no one with a perfect record.
Kelly, the Matts, and Gina all ended up 3-1, though, and Nick, Connor, and Lance were all 2-2, so the week wasn’t a total loss around the LWOS home office.
Commenter Nate threw his hat into the ring, much to our appreciation. Unfortunately the picks didn’t break his way, and he ended up with a 1-3 record on the week.
Think you can do better? Give us your picks in the comments below!
