Nik’s Picks – Grey Cup CFL Predictions
Last week’s Nik’s Picks.
Nik’s Picks Grey Cup YouTube video.
Sunday
Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers:
The 16-3 Tiger-Cats are loaded without any glaring weaknesses under the leadership of Orlondo Steinauer and quarterbacking of backup turned starter Dane Evans. The Bombers, 13-7, are full of unsung heroes that Kyle Walters and Mike O’Shea have brought in and coached up, coming through for two-straight road playoff wins. With Winnipeg’s quarterback duo of Zach Collaros and Chris Streveler, any defence will have at least some troubles adjusting to the different looks from Paul LaPolice’s offence.
Keys To Game
Hamilton’s offensive playmakers — Brandon Banks, Bralon Addison, and Luke Tasker — versus Winnipeg’s field-side — Mercy Maston, Nick Taylor, and Mike Jones — is critical since the Ti-Cats will likely try and get those players out in space. But Mason, Taylor, and Jones have all shown strong tackling after closing on balls as of late, giving Winnipeg hope whereas most CFL teams have fell victim to Hamilton’s offence (including Winnipeg).
As any football game, special teams will be a big story. Kickers Justin Medlock and Lirim Lirim Hajrullahu are nails and shouldn’t have any surprising effect Sunday. Meanwhile, returners Janarion Grant, Frankie Williams, and even Brandon Banks can leave their stamp on the teams’ if any are able to find the end zone. On the flip side, if any give up the ball and it leads to six, it could provide a strong indication of the winner of this game.
The trenches, specifically Hamilton’s offensive line versus Winnipeg’s defensive front is another telling area. Both are made up of star players: Willie Jefferson, Jackson Jeffcoat, and more for Winnipeg and Chris Van Zeyl, Ryker Mathews, and more for Hamilton. Prior to Sunday, it’s difficult to declare either side having an advantage, but whoever ends up with the superior play should be able to dictate just how much success Hamilton’s offence has.
Hamilton 29 Winnipeg 31
Last week: 2-0
Playoffs: 3-1
Regular season: 52-29
Bet of the week (11-10 regular season, 1-1 playoffs):
WPG ML +150
Personal plays:
HAM-WPG over 52 -110 1u
WPG +4 -115 1u
WPG ML +150 2.5u
A. Harris over 3.5 REC -115 1u
B. Banks over 6.5 REC -120 1u
K. Lawler over 2.5 REC -130 1u
R. Bailey over 1.5 REC -120 1u
M. Jones under 16.5 REC YDS -120 1u
N. Demski over 38.5 REC YDS -120 1u
HAM QBs over 22.5 completions -125 1u
WPG QBs over 16.5 RUSH YDS -110 2u
D. Petermann under 1.5 REC -120 2.5u
D. Petermann under 20.5 REC YDS -125 2.5u
Yes first-quarter passing TD -125 1u
Longest run over 15.5 YDS -140 1u
Coin toss tails -110 1u
National anthem over 70.5 seconds -110 1u
GREY CUP MOP:
Nic Demski +1700 .12u
Bralon Addison +850 .12u
Rasheed Bailey +5000 .12u
Field (Sports Interaction) +1500 .12u
Last week: 9-3 +10u
Playoffs: 12-11 +6.64u
Regular season: 99–79-5 +12.56u
Overall: 111-90-5 +19.2u
Main image credit: Embed from Getty Images
