We have reached the final week of the CFL regular season and the playoff picture is just about set. Last Friday night, British Columbia dropped a meaningless 41-21 decision to Calgary as three-point road underdog considering it had already clinched the West Division and first-round bye.
Hamilton kept its playoff hopes alive with Saturday’s 28-18 victory over Winnipeg as a 4 1/2-point home favorite in the early game and Toronto secured its spot in the postseason with a 31-26 win over Saskatchewan later that day as a 5 1/2-point underdog on the road. Edmonton’s 27-25 loss on Sunday as a 4 1/2-point road underdog against Montreal, delayed any playoff berth celebration until possibly this weekend.
The following is brief preview of Week 19 in the CFL along with the opening point spread and ‘over/under’ lines as provided by 5Dimes.
Thursday, Nov. 1
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-6) vs. Toronto Argonauts Total: 52
Hamilton needs a win in this game coupled with an Edmonton loss to make it into the postseason. It is 6-11 overall both straight-up and against the spread but just 1-7 SU (4-4 ATS) on the road. Toronto comes into this final regular-season game with an overall record of 8-9 SU and ATS and a 3-5 SU (2-6 ATS) at home. The total has stayed UNDER in four of its last six games.
These two have already split their first two games this season with each winning at home both SU and ATS. The Argonauts already know that they will be on the road for the Divisional Semi-Final Round of the playoffs so it may be tempted to rest its starters, especially since they might end-up playing the Tiger-Cats the following week.
Friday, Nov.2
Calgary Stampeders vs. Edmonton Eskimos (OFF) Total: OFF
A win this week will do nothing for Calgary’s position in the playoffs as it has already clinched a home game for the first round with an overall record of 11-6 both SU and ATS. Edmonton knows that a win means it is in the postseason as a crossover team from the West Division. It comes in at 7-10 SU but is 10-7 ATS. The Eskimos are 5-3 SU at home and 6-2 ATS.
Edmonton has to hope that Calgary decides to rest its starters for this game, considering that have lost the first three meetings this season SU and are 1-2 ATS. Another concern has to be the health of its quarterback Steven Jyles, who remains questionable for Friday with an injured calf.
Saturday, Nov. 3
Montreal Alouettes vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1 ½) Total: 50
Montreal’s win last week raised its record to 11-6 SU but since it did not cover it is now 8-9 ATS. The Alouettes are just 4-4 on the road this season both SU and ATS. Winnipeg has to be happy to see this season finally come to a close after stumbling to a 3-7 SU record over its last 10 games. Overall, it is 5-12 SU but a respectable 8-9 ATS.
The Alouettes are another team that should be clearing the bench in Saturday’s game in an effort to stay healthy for a run to the Grey Cup title. They have a 2-1 edge over the Blue Bombers this season both SU and ATS and beat them 36-26 as two-point favorites in their last trip to Winnipeg. Bomber quarterback Buck Pierce is currently ‘doubtful’ for this game with a shoulder injury.
Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. British Columbia Lions (-3) Total: 46
Saskatchewan is in the playoffs but will have to wait and see where it will be playing its first game depending on what happens this weekend. It is 8-9 both SU and ATS overall and 3-5 SU and ATS on the road. BC rested most of its starters last week and will probably do the same this time around as well. It is 12-5 SU overall but just 8-9 ATS.
The Roughriders come into this matchup as one of the healthiest teams in the league, but the same cannot be said about BC. Quarterback Travis Lulay is still nicked-up with a shoulder injury and wide receiver Marco Iannuzzi is questionable with a concussion. The Lions have already lost to Saskatchewan two of three this season SU and are 1-2 ATS. The total has stayed UNDER in all three games.
