It’s time once again to let the illustrious LWOS CFL panel to make its predictions for week 12 of this madcap CFL season. We’re considering making it a rule that at least one prediction each week should have a point total under 15. Good policy? Bad? Or just an ongoing reality in the 2014 CFL? Anyhow, you can see our experts’ thoughts on each game below. Don’t forget to post your own predictions in the comments.
Week 12 CFL Predictions
Montreal Alouettes at Edmonton Eskimos
Nick’s thoughts: The once-powerful Edmonton Eskimos are coming off two straight losses, both against Albertan foe Calgary. Meanwhile, the Alouettes have won two straight against East teams and seem to have built up some confidence. Jonathan Crompton will get a chance to play against the team that released him during training camp, but he seems to be enjoying his starting role in Montreal now. Should Mike Reilly sit out again with a thumb injury, Matt Nichols will get the start for the Esks. A much different QB match up from the Ricky Ray-Anthony Calvillo days. With both teams fielding strong defences led by the Eskimos’ Odell Willis and Alouettes’ Kyries Hebert, it could remain a low-scoring affair, but Montreal will prevail.
Matthew Bin: Montreal 9 – Edmonton 22
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Montreal 22 – Edmonton 20
Steve Gifkins: Montreal 18 – Edmonton 27
Lance Keiser: Montreal 27 – Edmonton 22
Toronto Argonauts at Calgary Stampeders
Steve’s thoughts: The Argos come out of their bye week, many of their players likely going back home to warmer weather, only to head to snowy Calgary. The snowstorms are the least of the Argos’ worries, though, as they have to contend with a Calgary offense that is now fully healthy and firing on all cylinders. RB Jon Cornish and WR Maurice Price have added even more dimensions to an already potent offense with QB Bo Levi Mitchell leading the charge. On the other side of the ball, Toronto QB Ricky Ray should have Canadian slotback Andre Durie back in the fold, but it looks like Chad Owens will sit this one out. Possible letdown here for Calgary after two emotional games against Edmonton, but I don’t see Calgary going down against Toronto.
Matthew Bin: Toronto 16 – Calgary 30
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Toronto 11 – Calgary 36
Steve Gifkins: Toronto 21 – Calgary 28
Lance Keiser: Toronto 21 – Calgary 31
Winnipeg Blue Bombers at B.C. Lions
Matt’s thoughts: The Western division once looked like a five-way battle for the top spot; that battle has now left a couple of teams sitting towards the bottom of the heap, fighting for a probably crossover spot. That duel will come down to these teams, both sitting on 6 wins. Winnipeg has been sliding quickly down the chart, losing two straight games to surging Saskatchewan; B.C. eked out a win against Ottawa in one of the ugliest CFL contests in living memory. With the hopes for a brighter future with Travis Lulay now dashed, B.C. is back to the venerable Kevin Glenn for the rest of the season. Winnipeg has less momentum but showed signs of life against the Riders. This will be a close contest but the Bombers will take it.
Matthew Bin: Winnipeg 24 – B.C. 22
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Winnipeg 22 – B.C. 24
Steve Gifkins: Winnipeg 20 – B.C. 33
Lance Keiser: Winnipeg 29 – B.C. 20
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Lance’s thoughts: It’s the second true home game for the Ticats since 2012, and without a doubt the fans will be there and be excited. Hamilton is coming off a close defeat in Montreal and looks to build on the positives from that game. However, penalties have seriously hampered the Ticats all season; can they work past it? Saskatchewan is coming into to Hamilton with uncertainty at the QB position: with Durant likely out for the remainder of the season, it’s Tino Sunseri’s time to lead. Expect a heavy dose of the three-headed monster for the Riders. Along with the usual Hamilton penalties, it all adds up to the Riders’ eighth straight win.
Matthew Bin: Saskatchewan 17 – Hamilton 20
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Saskatchewan 17 – Hamilton 16
Steve Gifkins: Saskatchewan 26 – Hamilton 25
Lance Keiser: Saskatchewan 29 – Hamilton 33
Week 11 Notes
The official order of the LWOS CFL predictions for week 11 is Steve, Lance, Nick, and Matt; Steve was a perfect 4-0, Lance’s confidence in Ottawa earned him a 3-1 score, Nick split the picks at 2-2, and Matt… well, he was right about B.C., anyway, and ended 1-3.
Meanwhile, commenter salty1264 ended at 3-1, missing the Hamilton-Montreal pick. Better luck next time, Salty.
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