Weekly Predictor: Who wins the battle for first in the East?

TORONTO — Late game heroics from Ticats’ Jeremiah Masoli and the REDBLACKS suffering their first loss of the season lead Pick ‘Em players and CFL.ca’s Jamie Nye to a 2-2 record in Week 5. This week Nye looks to get back on the right track with his Weekly Predictor.

CFL Pick ‘Em returns with more up for grabs than ever before because this season more than $130,000 in combined cash and prizes up for grabs.*

Pick 30 in a row, win $30,000; pick 40, win $40,000; think you can pick 50 straight? You’re looking at $50,000. *View rules regarding streaks and prizing.

Here’s Jamie Nye with his picks for Week 6:

» CFL PICK ‘EM: MAKE YOUR PICKS TODAY

WINNIPEG @ EDMONTON

Matt Nichols gets the call this week for the Bombers and will try to spark Winnipeg’s offence (The Canadian Press)

Well, over to you Matt Nichols. The former Eskimo back-up will now try to spark the Bombers offence against the Edmonton Eskimos who are coming off a historic second half collapse to Hamilton.

I’m not convinced Nichols will do much better than Drew Willy did running the Bombers offence. A lot of the QB’s production in Winnipeg has come late in games with the loss already marked down.

Now, they’re taking on the Eskimos, who indeed gave up a 25 point lead last week, but who can still put up the points. Adarius Bowman and Derel Walker with Mike Reilly throwing the ball is as potent an offence as you’ll get in the CFL.

This is the safest bet of the week.

» PICK: EDMONTON (85% confidence)

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SASKATCHEWAN @ MONTREAL

Kevin Glenn will look to lead his Alouettes to a victory against the Riders (The Canadian Press)

Kevin Glenn will play and it’ll be Mitchell Gale’s second start for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Glenn’s availability isn’t changing my mind on this game as I’ve had the Riders pegged to go on a 2-game winning streak for the first time since midway through the 2014 season.

Yes, they beat the REDBLACKS third string quarterback to get their first win of the season but Gale did throw for 354 yards and looks like he has some promise and a lot of poise.

The bad news for the Riders is their offensive line is beat up and Gale may not have sufficient time to make all his reads.

Montreal just seems to be struggling to put everything together.

» PICK: SASKATCHEWAN (20% confidence)

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BC @ CALGARY

Will Jonathon Jennings and his Lions hold off the Stamps to stay on top of the West? (CFL.ca)

Game of the week?

I’d say so with the Stampeders starting to make some gains and the Lions coming off a bye week with the division’s top record.

Should be a good night in cowtown. That BC Lions defence should be able to contain the Stampeders offence but not enough that Jonathon Jennings and crew will be able to outscore the opponents.

I’m thinking we have a 25-23 type game however as the Lions continue to prove they’ll be challenging the Eskimos and Stamps right through to the end of the season for a home playoff spot.

» PICK: CALGARY (25% confidence)

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TORONTO @ OTTAWA

Henry Burris returns to the huddle this week when the REDBLACKS take on the Argos (CFL.ca)

Henry Burris will be back behind centre and it’s going to be interesting how well he does with a banged up finger on his throwing hand.

Logan Kilgore makes his first start now that Ricky Ray is on the shelf for a month or more.

The REDBLACKS defence had first time starter Mitchell Gale throw for 354 yards last week, so there will be opportunity for Kilgore down field but I still think there is too much fire power in Ottawa for the Argonauts to keep pace.

» PICK: OTTAWA (50% confidence)

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CFL on DraftKings

With CFL now on DraftKings, Nye checks in with his weekly fantasy roster. Set your lineup today!

To fit John White, Naaman Roosevelt, Marquay McDaniel and Derel Walker into the lineup this week, who have to be ranked high in their respective positions every week, I’m taking some fliers.

Logan Kilgore’s first start in Ottawa will have him potentially having to keep pace with the Ottawa offence by airing it out. He has the receivers to do it and with Mitchell Gale’s 354 yard game against Ottawa in his first start. Why not save a little cash to move elsewhere than going big with a Reilly or Mitchell this week?

I’m also going with Gerrard Sheppard in his first go around with the Blue Bombers. Watch the scratches though. As much as it looks like he’ll play you could also afford Ryan Lankford or Simon Charbonneau-Campeau (who has been looked at in the red zone early this season).

I’m skeptical Matt Nichols will spark the Bombers offence but Sheppard could get some looks in garbage time scenarios, as well as reason I’m going with the Eskimos defense. If you’re troubled by the injuries to the Riders offensive line this week, the Alouettes are a low priced buy at defence as well.