Weekly Predictor: Will Drew Willy lead the Argos to victory?

TORONTO — Ottawa regaining the top of the East with a win over Toronto; the Eskimos taking down the Lions; the Stamps extending their winning streak to ten and the Riders upsetting the Tiger-Cats led to CFL.ca’s Jamie Nye to a 3-1 record in Week 14.

This week Nye looks to keep his winning record intact in 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 are 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 15:

» CFL PICK ‘EM: MAKE YOUR PICKS TODAY

EDMONTON @ WINNIPEG

Shakir Bell was an integral part of the Eskimos’ offence last week in their win over BC (Esks.com)

The Edmonton Eskimos are coming off a huge win over the BC Lions to keep their small chances of a home playoff game in sight. The Bombers are coming off that dramatic loss to the Stampeders.

The Eskimos leave a lot to be desired as they are among the middle tier of teams that are frustratingly inconsistent with plenty of skill. But the Bombers defence still allows a lot of yards through the air, they also are able to take the ball away at a league high efficiency.

I feel this is going to be another Western shootout. The Eskimos have their back against the wall in a battle for a playoff spot. That desperation gives them an edge in this one and I always like picking an upset.

» PICK: EDMONTON (30% confidence)

— — — — —

CALGARY @ HAMILTON

Can the Stamps make it 11-straight with a win in Hamilton this week? (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are banged up and now they have the added drama of having to deal with Head Coach Kent Austin calling plays from the booth and having a different sideline tactician. In comes the best team in the league, who will be playing with tremendous emotion after the tragic loss of their teammate.

I don’t think I need to explain this pick much further.

» PICK: CALGARY (75% confidence)

— — — — —

OTTAWA @ BC

Can Emmanuel Arceneaux and the rest of the lions improve their record at home? (The Canadian Press)

The BC Lions and Ottawa REDBLACKS are very similar teams. They have some of the best offensive weapons as a collective as well as some above average defences.

The advantage I’m going to give in this one will be the run game. As much as it is indoors, I do think the Lions run to the playoffs is thanks to their run game and well balanced offence.

The big play could be the big difference as the REDBLACKS are the team with the most big plays this season, while the Lions are in the lower half of the league in giving up big plays.

» PICK: BC (50% confidence)

— — — — —

TORONTO @ MONTREAL

Will a coaching change be enough to turn things around in Montreal? (MontrealAlouettes.com)

What is going to happen in Montreal with Jacques Chapdelaine now in charge? We’re about to find out. He is taking over the offensive play calling and it has been the offence that has been a let down all season.

The offence is ranked second last, the defence ranked third best in terms of points scored/allowed.

Coming in is a team with a major change themselves, with Drew Willy getting his first start with the Argonauts and while the offence has been a problem in Toronto, the defence has been equally problematic. They are quickly slipping to the bottom of the league in defensive stats and when you are in the company of the Roughriders defence, who were awful in the first half of the season, that is not good company.

Usually a coaching change mid-season means an emotional lift, albeit for the short term and it helps the Alouettes in this one. With changes of both offences, I’m thinking this could be a low scoring battle.

» PICK: MONTREAL (10% confidence)

CFL on DraftKings

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

The two defences that give up the most passing yards this year are Winnipeg and Edmonton so I’m loading up with Bombers and Esks this weekend.

Matt Nichols is still a little bitter toward the Eskimos after his trade away last season and comes with good value at $7,000 with a nice matchup. Since coming back from injury Weston Dressler has been one of Nichols favourite targets and despite slowing down last week against the Stampeders, I think the Bombers offence will put up some points this week.

The Bombers secondary has given up a lot of yards this season and Adarius Bowman bit off 180 yards in a game earlier this season vs. Winnipeg.

After an injury to Shakir Bell late in the week of practice for the Eskimos, John White gets the call. You think he’ll be motivated after the team said Bell now is the starter? Yep! Play the man!

Kevin Elliott and Brandon Whitaker against the Alouettes are hunches as Drew Willy takes the reins of the offence. Elliott caught Willy’s first ever TD pass as an Argo last week so maybe there is some chemistry building between the two.

Brandon Whitaker is just a nice option for Willy to check down to in the pass game and against his former mates, the Alouettes, why not.

I’m also going with the Argonauts defence due to the change over with coaches and play calling on the offensive side of the ball as I’m not sure this stagnant Alouette offence will come to life. It’s a risky play with the Argonauts slipping statistically on the defensive side of the ball.