CFL Betting Notes – Week 19

Hamilton continued its push for the East Division title with Friday’s 34-20 victory on the road against Toronto as a seven-point favorite to kickoff Week 18 in the CFL.

In the first of a trio of contests on Saturday, Winnipeg blasted Saskatchewan 31-0 as a 3 ½-point home favorite to improve its position in the West Division playoff race. Edmonton snapped a three-game skid both straight-up and against the spread with a much needed 34-16 win at home against Ottawa as a 3 ½-point favorite.

Week 18 came to a close on Saturday night with British Columbia stunning Calgary 26-21 as a heavy 10 ½-point road underdog to move above .500 on the year.

Friday, Oct. 19

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-7 SU, 7-7-1 ATS) at Ottawa RedBlacks (8-7 SU, 6-9 ATS)
Point-spread: Ottawa -1
Total: 53 ½

Game Overview

The Tiger-Cats come into the first meeting in this crucial East Division home-and-home series with a SU 5-2 record in their last seven games while going 4-3 ATS. The total went OVER 53 points in Friday’s win at Toronto and it has gone OVER or ended as a PUSH in their last six games behind a scoring average of 35.3 points during this same span. Hamilton’s defense has allowed 26.8 points over its last six contests.

Ottawa continues to struggle with consistency with a pair of wins followed by a pair of losses over its last eight games. It fell to 2-4 ATS over its last six games with Saturday’s loss to Edmonton. At the end of July, the RedBlacks drew first blood in their season series against Hamilton with a 21-15 victory on the road as six-point underdogs. The total stayed UNDER the 55-point closing line.

Betting Trends

-- Counting that earlier win this season, Ottawa is 7-2 SU in its last nine games against the Tiger-Cats, but it has failed to cover in four of its last six home games against its division rivals. The total has gone OVER in six of the last seven meetings in Ottawa.

Edmonton Eskimos (8-8 SU, 7-9 ATS) at British Columbia Lions (8-7 AU, 9-6 ATS)
Point-spread: BC -1
Total: 53

Game Overview

Saturday’s season-saving victory against Ottawa was the first time the Eskimos scored more than 15 points in their last four games. The total still stayed UNDER the 51 ½-point closing line and it has stayed UNDER in six of Edmonton’s last seven games. Mike Reilly threw for 369 yards and one touchdown on Saturday and he continues to lead the CFL in total passing yards with 4,974 in 16 games.

The Lions’ late-season surge has them holding on to the final playoff spot in the West as a crossover team. They have won five of their last six games SU with a 4-2 record ATS. The total stayed UNDER 49 ½ points in the upset against Calgary and it has stayed UNDER or ended as a PUSH in nine of BC’s last 10 games. Newly added running back Tyrell Sutton gained 106 yards rushing on 22 carries in Saturday’s win and Travis Lulay was back in the lineup as BC’s starting quarterback.

Betting Trends

-- The first two games of this season’s series were split with the home team winning SU and ATS. Edmonton has the 4-1 edge both SU and ATS in the last five meetings and the total has gone OVER or ended as a PUSH in four of those five games.

Saturday, Oct. 20

Montreal Alouettes (3-12 SU, 8-7 ATS) at Toronto Argonauts (3-12 SU, 6-9 ATS)
Point-spread: Toronto -5
Total: 50

Game Overview

The Alouettes’ current SU losing streak stands at four games coming off last week’s bye, but they have been able to cover in six of their last eight games. The total has stayed UNDER the closing line in six of those eight games behind a scoring average of 18.8 points per game. Montreal remains the lowest scoring team in the CFL with an average of 16.9 PPG.

Toronto’s loss to Hamilton last Friday was its seventh in a row and it has gone 2-5 ATS during this current skid. The total has now gone OVER in five of its last six outings with the Argonauts’ defense giving up an average of 34.3 PPG in that same span. James Franklin threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns against Hamilton and he also led the team in rushing with 44 yards on seven carries.

Betting Trends

-- Montreal won the first meetings this season 25-22 as a five-point home underdog heading into this East Division home-and-home series. Over the last 23 meetings in this rivalry, Montreal is 16-7 both SU and ATS.

Saskatchewan Roughriders (10-6 SU, 8-8 ATS) at Calgary Stampeders (12-3 SU, 8-7 ATS)
Point-spread: Calgary -9
Total: 49 ½

Game Overview

The Roughriders’ slim chances to win the West Division took a major hit with Saturday’s loss. This was just their second SU setback in their last nine games, but over that same span they drop to 5-4 ATS. The total has stayed UNDER in their last two games after going OVER in their previous five contests.

Calgary is just one win away from capturing its third-straight West Division title, but there has to be some concern with its current form at 3-2 SU in its last five games. There is even more concern when it comes to betting on the Stampeders at 2-4 ATS over their last six outings. The total has stayed UNDER in their last two games with a combined 33 points scored. Calgary’s season scoring average is now 30.1 PPG.

Betting Trends

-- The first two games in this season’s series between these two bitter division foes were played in Saskatchewan with an even 1-1 split SU and ATS. The total did go OVER in each contest. Calgary is 10-2 SU in its last 12 home games against the Roughriders with a 4-1 record ATS in the last five of those matchups.