Jason Halstead/CFL.ca
TORONTO — As playoff races heat up, division rivalries are on hold with four cross-division encounters in Week 16.
The Bombers and Als are heavy favourites, while the writers can’t quite agree on the Saturday afternoon Argos-Riders matchup. Also, Trevor Harris returns in time for a critical confrontation in the Lions’ den.
In head-to-head matchups, the West is 24-5-1 against the East this season. Will the East get to feast this Thanksgiving weekend? Or will the West have its way once again?
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HAM @ WPG
The 13-point spread just doesn’t seem fair for the Ticats, yet it’s exactly the respect that’s eluded the Blue and Gold the past calendar year. Over the Bombers’ 8-1 run, Mike O’Shea’s team has averaged 34.3 points per game, with half of those eight wins coming by nine or more points.
But don’t count out the Ticats, who have played well in five games under Head Coach June Jones. All three of their wins came after Labour Day, and the team is only getting better, last week racking up 461 yards vs. the Argos.
PICK
Writers: 100% Winnipeg
Fans: 93% Winnipeg
SSK @ TOR
Hopefully Trent Richardson, two weeks after signing, knows he’ll have one less down — and 10 more yards to cover — in his CFL debut vs. the Argos. The Riders’ new runner, one of the most highly-touted running back prospects ever out of college, aims to spark the league’s worst-ranked run game.
It wasn’t long ago that Marc Trestman’s team could relate, but not lately. James Wilder Jr. has led the renaissance that is Toronto’s ground game, averaging 11.2 yards per carry the last three contests while buying some much-needed extra time for the pin-point accuracy of Ricky Ray.
PICK:
Writers: 100% Toronto
Fans: 67% Saskatchewan
OTT @ BC
The timing couldn’t be better for a return under centre by Trevor Harris. While the REDBLACKS’ starting QB is averaging 310.3 yards per game this season, that number dipped to 192.0 in his three-game absence, during which Ottawa not only lost two games but also the East Division lead.
We know that a trip to the coast is never easy for an eastern foe. But after their cat nap in Week 15, the Lions may be grumpier than usual. Wally Buono’s team has lost five of its last six and needs a win to stay afloat in the highly-competitive West.
PICK
Writers: 57% BC
Fans: 77% BC
EDM @ MTL
After a combined 13 straight losses, luck’s got to change for either the Eskimos or Alouettes. The Eskimos have lost six in a row following their 7-0 streak but have now added talented and well-rounded running back C.J. Gable to their stable of dynamic weapons.
Thanksgiving, of course, is a bad time to be a bird. If the Alouettes are going to fight back in the East, it’ll have to start this week with an upset win at home — as the Als look to avoid being the hunted.
PICK
Writers: 100% Edmonton
Fans: 92% Edmonton
