It is getting to be crunch time in the CFL with just five weeks left in the regular season. Last week, Hamilton improved its chances of making it into the playoffs with a 41-28 upset of Montreal on Friday night as a one-point home underdog. The second game on Friday saw Calgary roll over Edmonton 39-15 as a seven-point home favorite.
Turning to last Saturday’s results, Toronto closed the gap with the Alouettes in the East with a 29-10 victory over Winnipeg as a three-point road underdog. In the night cap, Saskatchewan stunned British Columbia 27-21 as a 2 ½-point underdog at home.
The following is brief preview of Week 15 in the CFL along with the opening point spread and ‘over/under’ lines as provided by 5Dimes.
Friday, Oct.5
Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. Edmonton Eskimos PICK Total: 52 ½
Hamilton heads into this inter-division matchup at 5-8 straight up on the year and 7-6 against the spread. It is 2-1 both SU and ATS in its last three games after losing five in-a-row. The total has gone OVER in four of its last five games. Edmonton has the same exact record as the Tiger-Cats both SU and ATS. It is 3-3 SU at home this season and the total has gone OVER in three of its last five games.
These two met once this season with Hamilton cruising to a 51-8 victory as a three-point favorite at home. The total went OVER the 54 ½-point line. The Eskimos have won six of the last nine meetings SU but are just 4-5 ATS. The total has gone OVER in four of the last six meetings.
Saturday, Oct. 6
Calgary Stampeders vs. British Columbia Lions (-4 ½) Total: 49 ½
Calgary’s win last week has it just one game back of the Lions in the West Division at 8-5 SU. It is 7-6 ATS and the total has stayed UNDER in six of its last nine games. BC’s loss in Week 14 was just its second in its last nine games. It is now 9-4 SU overall and 5-8 ATS. The Lions are 5-1 SU at home but just 3-3 ATS. The total has stayed UNDER in seven of its last 10 games.
The Stampeders already lost once to the Lions this season in a 34-8 romp as a one-point underdog at home. The total stayed UNDER the 58-point line. BC has actually won five of the last six meetings SU and it is 4-2 ATS. The total has gas gone OVER in four of the last seven games between the two.
Monday, Oct. 8
Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Montreal Alouettes OFF Total: OFF
The Blue Bombers are running out of games to try and get into the postseason with an overall record of 3-10 SU (6-7 ATS). They are last in the East and two games out of the sixth and final playoff spot. Montreal’s lead in the East over Toronto is down to just one game. It is 8-5 SU overall and just 6-7 ATS. The Alouettes are 6-1 SU at home this season and 4-3 ATS. The total has stayed UNDER in four of their last five games at home.
Montreal has won both meetings this season SU and ATS by a combined 21 points to extend its record against Winnipeg to 7-2 SU and 4-5 ATS in the last nine meetings. The total went OVER in both of this year’s games and in five of the last nine games between these teams.
Bombers QB Buck Pierce (head) is listed as ‘doubtful’ for this contest.
Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Toronto Argonauts OFF Total: OFF
Saskatchewan is back over .500 at 7-6 SU and ATS with four wins in its last five games. It is now just two games back in the West and in excellent position to make the playoffs. The total has stayed UNDER in five if its last seven games.
Toronto is also 7-6 both SU and ATS this season. It is 3-2 SU (2-3 ATS) at home and the total has stayed UNDER in its last two games. Argonauts quarterback Ricky Ray remains questionable with a leg injury.
This will be the first meeting this season, but the Roughriders hold a 6-2 SU edge in the last eight games. They are 3-4-1 ATS during this same span of games and the total has stayed UNDER in the last four meetings.
