Walter Tychnowicz/CFL.ca
TORONTO — Those that are a little superstitious may want to think long and hard about their picks this weekend. It’s Week 13 in the CFL and the fans and CFL.ca writers will hope that doesn’t mean a string of bad luck.
This week offers three heavy road favourites, as the Riders, Eskimos and REDBLACKS are popular picks to fly back home with two points. Least surprisingly, the Stampeders, at home against the Lions, are considered the lock of the week, picked by 90 per cent of fans and all seven CFL.ca writers.
Which home underdog can flip the script and come away with an upset?
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.
RELATED
» CFL Pick ‘Em: Make your picks today
» Be the GM in CFL Fantasy
» Weekly Predictor: Can Ottawa win without Harris?
SSK @ HAM
Whoever plays at quarterback for the Riders will have a drastic effect on the pick trend for Friday night’s game. Kevin Glenn is having an outstanding season but it’s looking more and more like Brandon Bridge will make his first start as a Rider, leaving some uncertainty in an otherwise red-hot Rider offence.
The Ticats’ modest two-game winning streak comes with some legitimate substance. Led by C.J. Gable and Jeremiah Masoli, the Black and Gold rushed for a season-high 147 yards vs. the REDBLACKS — their highest total since Labour Day in 2016. The early pick trend just doesn’t describe how close this game could end up.
PICK
Writers: 86% Saskatchewan
Fans: 78% Saskatchewan
EDM @ TOR
The well-rested Argos get two critical pieces back on their defence, with Victor Butler and Cleyon Laing expected to suit up for the first time in nearly two months. Those two were a menace to opposing quarterbacks early in the season, meaning the Eskimos’ O-line will have to be at its best to protect Mike Reilly.
Speaking of Reilly, the Esks’ franchise pivot broke out of his mid-season mini-slump in Week 12, breaking the 450-yard mark vs. the Stamps. That bodes well for a team looking to break out of a four-game losing streak, as Reilly turns to the three-headed monster of Derel Walker, Adarius Bowman and Brandon Zylstra against the Argos’ vaunted defence.
PICK:
Writers: 100% Edmonton
Fans: 86% Edmonton
BC @ CGY
The Lions will have plenty of emotions following a season-ending injury to Travis Lulay. Meanwhile, defeating the Stamps at McMahon would vanquish the most horrid of demons haunting the BC Lions right now.
Of course, it’s never that easy, especially against the Stampeders on the road. Bo Levi Mitchell makes his 100th career start on Saturday night as the Red and White seek their eighth win in a row against Jonathon Jennings and the Leos.
PICK
Writers: 100% Calgary
Fans: 90% Calgary
OTT @ MTL
There are plenty of exciting storylines when these divisional foes meet on Sunday in Montreal, starting with the Alouettes’ first game without Jacques Chapdelaine and Noel Thorpe on their sideline. Fans in la belle province will be curious to see whether the coaching change can spark the Als, who, despite losing four straight and six of their last seven, could shrink the gap behind first-place Ottawa to just a single point with a game in hand.
For the REDBLACKS, all eyes will be on backup quarterback Drew Tate, making his first start for Ottawa following the shoulder injury that will sideline Trevor Harris for roughly 2-6 weeks.
PICK
Writers: 57% Ottawa
Fans: 70% Ottawa
