The 2015 CFL season marches inexorably onwards! And despite there being three very good teams in the east, and two very good teams in the west, all three of the remaining teams have a legitimate shot at the last playoff position. It’s all coming down to the wire, and the only way to know what’s going to happen is to read the LWOS CFL crew’s week 18 CFL predictions.
Week 18 CFL Predictions
Montreal Alouettes at Toronto Hamilton Argonauts
Lance’s thoughts: The Toronto-Montreal clash will truly come down to who wants it more. Montreal is still alive in the crossover race, though they need a better record than third in the west. They have missed crucial opportunities to move into a better playoff position. Meanwhile the Argos, despite their messy off-field issues – mainly their lack of a true home field – are still alive in the race for first in the East. We know the weather is getting colder, and the Argos are looking for a home playoff game this November: expect a double blue win.
Kelly Bale: Montreal 17 – Toronto 34
Matthew Bin: Montreal 21 – Toronto 23
Nicholas di Giovanni: Montreal 13 – Toronto 33
Lance Keiser: Montreal 19 – Toronto 25
Greg McCulloch: Montreal 20 – Toronto 28
Gina Schiltz: Montreal 26 – Toronto 29
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at B.C. Lions
Nick’s thoughts: After a big win on the road in Montreal, Jeff Mathews will be hoping to continue silencing his critics on Friday Night Football. The Ticats defence has remained fearsome while the attack shapes up under Mathews, who’s already looking like a number one pivot. This is not good for the Lions who are battling to keep their playoff hopes alive. After a few good performances by another back-up, Jonathon Jennings, the Lions fell short in Edmonton last week, putting extra pressure on this home game to earn a playoff berth. The Tiger-Cats are just too good of a football team to lose and after a Grey Cup loss at B.C. Place Stadium, Hamilton will return and win a game in Vancouver.
Kelly Bale: Hamilton 29 – B.C. 27
Matthew Bin: Hamilton 31 – B.C. 12
Nicholas di Giovanni: Hamilton 27 – B.C. 20
Lance Keiser: Hamilton 28 – B.C. 16
Greg McCulloch: Hamilton 33 – B.C. 20
Gina Schiltz: Hamilton 22 – B.C. 19
Ottawa Redblacks at Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Kelly’s thoughts: Ottawa might not be as dangerous as some think but they want to take first place. That’s where their focus is and Winnipeg is in tough against the formidable Redblacks roster, including quarterback Henry Burris and receivers Chris Williams and Brad Sinopoli. “You need to throw (Burris) out of his rhythm and you need to find a different way to do it.”, said Coach O’Shea in the pregame media conference. Relentless pressure from Ritchie Hall’s defence will help the Bombers, who are in the midst of their own race for a playoff berth. Long drawn-out calls of “Henry” might help, too – but it probably won’t be enough to slow down old Hank this year. He seems determined.
Kelly Bale: Ottawa 30 – Winnipeg 19
Matthew Bin: Ottawa 29 – Winnipeg 20
Nicholas di Giovanni: Ottawa 25 – Winnipeg 24
Lance Keiser: Ottawa 21 – Winnipeg 17
Greg McCulloch: Ottawa 42 – Winnipeg 21
Gina Schiltz: Ottawa 28 – Winnipeg 24
Edmonton Eskimos at Saskatchewan Roughriders
Greg’s thoughts: Riders’ interim general manager Jeremy O’Day was a busy man in the bye week, shuffling what assets he could to build for the future. Kevin Glenn is now an Alouette, Jerome Messam is now a Stampeder, and Paul McCallum has been deactivated for the rest of the season. In their place will be Brett Smith getting another crack at QB, Anthony Allen at starting running back, and untested Tyler Crapigna with a shot at the kicking duties. The already aggressive Edmonton defense will be licking their lips going into this game. Expect Eskimos’ head coach Chris Jones to send a lot of pressure from the front seven to see if he can rattle Smith and make it a long day for the Riders. While Ridernation would appreciate a win in the final home game of the season… no McCallum, no Glenn, no Messam, no shot.
Kelly Bale: Edmonton 41 – Saskatchewan 26
Matthew Bin: Edmonton 39 – Saskatchewan 6
Nicholas di Giovanni: Edmonton 37 – Saskatchewan 10
Lance Keiser: Edmonton 33 – Saskatchewan 25
Greg McCulloch: Edmonton 33 – Saskatchewan 16
Gina Schiltz: Edmonton 32 – Saskatchewan 14
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