Weekly Predictor: No easy chip shots in Week 3

It was a bounce back week for many in the CFL Pick ‘Em world with three favourites scoring victories. As a result, the majority of the CFL.ca writers moved from a 1-2 start to the season to above .500.

On paper, this week appears to be more of the same, with three out of four games boasting an 80 per cent favourite among the fans. Only, Jamie Nye isn’t so confident.

CFL Pick ‘Em is back in 2017 with 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 3.

RELATED
» CFL PICK ‘EM: MAKE YOUR PICKS TODAY
» BE THE GM IN CFL FANTASY
» FANTASY NEWS: WEEK 3 TIPS AND STRATEGIES

BC at Montreal
Thursday | 7:30 p.m. ET

Jonathon Jennings looks for a bounce back game vs. the Als in Week 3 (The Canadian Press)

The BC Lions stayed east after their win in Toronto. Saskatchewan did the same last year and it paid off with back to back wins against East Division opponents.

A strong fourth quarter showed the offensive powerhouse that many were expecting from the BC Lions. Montreal’s offence has scored under 20 points in the first two games of the season but again, the defence has made up for it, helping the Als win game one and nearly upset the Eskimos in Week 2.

I believe the Lions carry over some momentum from their fourth quarter, however, Montreal’s defence will again keep it close. It’s going to be up to Darian Durant to find some magic that they haven’t found yet this season.

PICK: BC (25% confident)

Calgary at Winnipeg
Friday | 8:30 p.m. ET

Bo Levi Mitchell is off to a red-hot start for the Stamps in 2017 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers just allowed 377 yards passing by Kevin Glenn. Up next they have Bo Levi Mitchell. The Stampeders, meanwhile, have allowed the second most rushing yards to start the season.

So will it be the Stampeders’ air show or Andrew Harris having a big game to be the difference. I believe we’ll have another 60-plus point night between these two teams to keep the shootouts going for the Stampeders.

Harris is going to be, or at least should be, a popular fantasy pick this week.

PICK: WINNIPEG (10% confident)

Toronto at Ottawa
Saturday | 7:00 p.m. ET

Despite Ottawa’s winless start, Trevor Harris has been on point early in 2017 (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)

The Ottawa REDBLACKS come out of two fantastic games against Calgary without a victory and with one tie. It seems a little unjust to not have a win for their effort but I believe they’ll be rewarded this week.

After Toronto stomped on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the first week, in Week 2 the BC Lions proved that maybe it was a little more to do with the Tabbies than it did the Argos from Week 1.

Ricky Ray should have another big game throwing as Bo Levi Mitchell was able to carve up the REDBLACKS’ secondary. Ottawa will also put up the points and match any offensive output the Argos will show.

PICK: OTTAWA (35% confident)

Hamilton at Saskatchewan
Saturday | 10:00 p.m. ET

The Riders’ receiving corps boasts plenty of talent entering a Week 3 clash with Hamilton (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

The Roughriders have lost their first two games of the season by a combined four points.

The Riders’ offence was impressive in a comeback to force overtime in the fourth quarter, while their defence had plenty of deficiencies.

Hamilton also had big problems on defence in its only game this season but how much the Ticats will have been able to clean up over the bye week will be interesting. The other problem is the offensive line did not play well and the Roughriders’ defensive line has been able to get pressure, especially defensive end Willie Jefferson.

The Riders need to play a lot more aggressive defence and start making some plays on that side of the ball and they’ll do so for their first win of the season in 2017.

PICK: SASKATCHEWAN (50% confident)

DRAFTKINGS: NYE PICKS HIS ROSTER

With the CFL continuing its partnership with DraftKings for a second season, fans can experience the excitement of daily fantasy and test their skills without the need to make a season-long commitment.

Each week throughout the upcoming 2017 season, fans will have the opportunity to set their ultimate CFL fantasy team. DraftKings offers free-to-play contests, the ability to play privately with friends or with other fans globally to win prizes, tickets and exclusive VIP CFL experiences.

DraftKings Week 3 Lineup

I’ve left a lot of money on the table to take Ricky Ray with great value against a team that allows some passing yards in Ottawa. I’m matching DeVier Posey with Ray as his favourite target this week.

Argonaut receivers are going to be a great play each week if you find the one who gets the big game. I got Armanti Edwards right last week, so I’m going back to the breakout player from Week 1 this time around. Although, maybe it’s S.J. Green’s turn to bust loose for a few touchdowns.

The reason I’m not dropping Duron Carter is the number of targets he is getting from Kevin Glenn. He’s clearly getting looks from Glenn and soon I think he’ll find the pay dirt with a touchdown. The injury to Caleb Holley could mean even more looks for the other Riders receivers and with Bakari Grant’s success in the red zone this season, eventually coverage will have to be a little more honest on the short side of the field for Carter and Roosevelt.

Andrew Harris and Tyrell Sutton are players who will get touches in the run and pass game. They are both key parts to their offence and volume alone makes them intriguing plays this week. Harris should be ready for a big game against Calgary, who has had problems stopping the run along with a pile of injuries along the defensive line.

Sutton, on the other hand, is averaging 78 yards per game on the ground and should find the end zone soon enough being held without one so far this season.

With Terrence Toliver injured, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats would be smart to try to get big play man Brandon Banks the ball as much as possible. The return game also pays off in this play for the Tiger-Cats. The Riders punt coverage has been good, the kick off coverage not as good, which will yield more yards.

And as for the Roughriders’ defence, does much more need to be said other than the Tiger-Cats’ game one performance? The Riders’ linemen should be able to get to Zach Collaros and in doing so, should get some turnovers.