Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — The new incoming week offers some intriguing matchups across the CFL, yet the writers and fans are almost unanimous in their selections.
That leaves little room for separation between our writers this week but a significant opportunity for fans on CFL Pick ‘Em — especially those who have fallen behind in their leagues.
Week 7 kicks off Thursday. Will the safe picks pay off this week or will the gamblers be rewarded?
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.
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CGY @ TOR
The greatest show on turf will actually be played on grass this week as the league’s most exciting offences meet at BMO Field. The Stampeders (420.2 yards per game) and Argos (401.5 yards per game) are first and second in the league respectively in net yards going into Week 7 and on Thursday they meet for the first time in what’s shaping up to be an action-packed, high-scoring affair.
While Bo Levi Mitchell is the reigning MOP and off to another hot start in 2017, Ricky Ray is the CFL’s leading passer and has not thrown for fewer than 330 yards in any of his six starts, leading a high-powered Marc Trestman attack into a pivotal early-season test to kick off the new week.
PICK
Writers: 100% Calgary
Fans: 88% Calgary
WPG @ OTT
With a forgettable opening third of the season behind them, the Ottawa REDBLACKS come into their Week 7 matchup with Winnipeg refreshed, recharged and looking to get back on track with what they hope will be their second win of the season. The problem: That will have to come against a surging Bombers team that just pulled off a comeback for the ages, scoring twice in the last minute to stun Montreal.
The holiday weekend could see more fireworks than usual as the Bombers come into the week averaging 33.8 points per game, the second-most in the CFL, while the REDBLACKS boast the league’s top quarterback-receiver tandem in Trevor Harris and Greg Ellingson.
PICK:
Writers: 100% Ottawa
Fans: 58% Ottawa
HAM @ EDM
The Ticats are winless and the Eskimos are undefeated but don’t let the records fool you — in Week 5 the Ticats led Edmonton from the start of the game until Mike Reilly‘s game-winning touchdown pass with 23 seconds left. The second half of Friday night’s double header could provide another last-minute thriller from Commonwealth Stadium.
Besides, there’s no such thing as impossible in the CFL! Montreal’s upset of Calgary in Week 4 was the biggest of the 2017 season but if Hamilton can take down Edmonton — with the Eskimos a 94 per cent favourite — Pick ‘Em would have a new king of the underdogs.
PICK
Writers: 86% Edmonton
Fans: 94% Edmonton
SSK @ BC
Both this week and next we get sneak peak of whether the Saskatchewan Roughriders are ready to step into the bright lights of the West Division. The Riders looked resurgent coming off their bye last week, putting up 38 points and out-dueling the high-flying Toronto Argonauts thanks to the exploits of Kevin Glenn and Duron Carter.
The Lions are hungry and ready to feast after losing a first-place scrap with the Eskimos last week and while Jonathon Jennings remains sidelined, the return of Chris Williams provides some must-see theatre on Saturday evening in Vancouver.
PICK
Writers: 100% BC
Fans: 79% BC
