Weekly Predictor: Test time in Regina

Jamie Nye

CFL.ca

@jamienye

Three visiting teams have a major uphill battle this week. The fourth is the Calgary Stampeders, who have now won eight straight games.

The Riders are dominant at home but the Stamps are just dominant in general and in Week 14, something’s got to give.

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Without further delay, Nye makes his Week 14 picks.

Ottawa at Winnipeg
Friday | 8:00 p.m. ET

Ryan Lindley is the third man up for the REDBLACKS at quarterback (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

The Ottawa REDBLACKS’ quarterback situation isn’t helping their cause trying to pull away in the East Division. The fight is going on with Toronto for first and the important bye to the Eastern Final was quite advantageous for the reigning Grey Cup Champions in 2016.

Trevor Harris is out and Drew Tate is unlikely to play, both with shoulder injuries, just in time for the team to go into the loudest stadium in the CFL against one of the Grey Cup favourites.

I think it’s safe to say that it is a safe bet to go with the Bombers. Winnipeg is coming off the bye week and despite the unfortunate loss of Jamaal Westerman, the Bombers continue to produce offensively and are able to make the key turnovers on defence. They are also on the heels of the Calgary Stampeders and definitely gunning for top spot in the West.

PICK: WINNIPEG (90% confidence)

Hamilton at BC
Friday | 11:00 p.m. ET

Jonathon Jennings has been inconsistent this year at the helm of the Lions’ offence (The Canadian Press)

A few weeks ago and we may be thinking this is a game that would be easy to predict. Of late, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ play has improved while the BC Lions have been inconsistent.

The Lions are one of a few teams that the quarterback play has dropped off as the season has gone on and that evens the playing field a little bit in this game. Their defence, however, is one of the better ones and the addition of Alex Bazzie on the defensive line should give them an improved pass rush.

The more June Jones gets to mold the offence, I’m curious to see if the offensive output improves. But when it comes to an Eastern team on the road against the West, I have to go with West.

PICK: BC (70% confidence)

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

Darian Durant and his club could be entering must-win territory this week in Toronto (Peter McCabe/CFL.ca)

The Toronto Argonauts’ victory over Edmonton last week was impressive. More impressive was the run game with James Wilder Jr. being as productive as he was. You having him running the ball as well as he did with Ricky Ray and S.J. Green having as much chemistry as they’ve built up over the short time they’ve been together, and you may just have the team to beat in the East.

Montreal, meanwhile, can’t stop the tail spin. After starting the season like the team to fear out East, they’ve quickly sputtered nearly out of playoff contention.

In fact, this is their season this week in all likelihood. If they lose and fall five points out of the playoffs or more with only five to play, that hole is likely too far to climb out of.

PICK: TORONTO (75% confidence)

Calgary at Saskatchewan
Sunday | 4:00 p.m. ET

The Saskatchewan Roughriders appear to have Kevin Glenn back after a week off to recover from a bruised hand. Glenn’s management of the Riders offence makes them one of the best in the league with their talent at receiver. Duron Carter appears ready to go as well after going down in Hamilton.

For the Roughriders to be put in the conversation with Winnipeg and Calgary as ‘Grey Cup favourites’, they’re going to have to show very well this week. Their first test against Calgary didn’t go to well.

The Stampeders continue to show the league a complete game with strong offence, defence and special teams.

But this game is at Mosaic Stadium, rather than the first meeting at McMahon Stadium, and if there is anything we’ve learned this season …. don’t bet against the Riders at home.

PICK: SASKATCHEWAN (10% confidence)

DRAFTKINGS: NYE PICKS HIS ROSTER

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Nye makes his picks below:

DraftKings Week 14 lineup

Ricky Ray and the Argonauts still like to throw the ball, despite James Wilder’s contribution last week. Ray and his offence appear to be hitting some stride heading into a favourable matchup against the Alouettes.

Andrew Harris at home against the REDBLACKS is another must-play opportunity for the Bombers running back. I like Weston Dressler, too, coming out of the slot and taking advantage of his high volume of targets from Matt Nichols.

Marken Michel’s target share grows and his speed is something that could test the Riders’ secondary, though the defence in Saskatchewan is something to fear at home. A Riders lead could lead to more downfield throws by Bo to his quickest target.

Bakari Grant is a red zone target favourite for Kevin Glenn and with Duron Carter’s ankle injury potentially slowing him down and attention on Naaman Roosevelt, Grant is a fine option for safe shorter passes from Kevin Glenn.

I thought I started to see a bit more burst from Chris Rainey last week for the Lions and with the potential for a lot of punt return opportunities, I think Rainey could be decent option. He also got five catches last week and if he gets more shares in that game, he’s a potential 20 point player.

The Lions’ defence is an obvious choice with a home game against an offence that turns over the ball and doesn’t score a lot of points.

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