October 25, 2017

Weekly Predictor: A thirst for first

Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca

It’s been half a decade since the Calgary Stampeders lost two games in a row, but that isn’t fazing Jamie Nye in the Weekly Predictor.

The Battle of Alberta commences for the third time in eight weeks on Saturday — could it be a precursor to the eventual Western Final?

Meanwhile, the Ottawa REDBLACKS need a win to stay in the hunt for their third straight division title. But it won’t be easy against one of the CFL’s hottest teams.

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Without further delay, Nye makes his Week 19 picks.

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Hamilton at Ottawa
Friday | 7:00 p.m. ET

Trevor Harris looks to lead the REDBLACKS to their third straight win since his return (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

The Ottawa REDBLACKS’ last game of the season has a tonne of meaning. A win and they reclaim first in the East with Toronto having one game left next week.

A loss and the REDBLACKS will finish second and hand the Argos the division.

The Ticats are coming in with the same attitude they’ve brought since starting 0-8. They have nothing to lose except some positive momentum going into the off-season and the 2018 season.

Ottawa learned Brad Sinopoli is lost for the season and then Jerrell Gavins was carted off the practice field, which is about as bad as it gets for a team that hasn’t played in over a week. I still, however, believe the REDBLACKS’ thirst for first will shine through at home.

PICK: OTTAWA (40% confident)


Montreal at Saskatchewan
Friday | 9:30 p.m. ET

While the Riders are hot, Als pivot Darian Durant will be the centre of attention in Regina (Peter McCabe/CFL.ca)

The Roughriders are resting some players who are a little banged up but Head Coach Chris Jones made it clear the goal is to finish the season with two straight home wins to head into the playoffs playing confident football.

Darian Durant gets the start for the Alouettes in his old stomping grounds, although he’s never taken a snap in the new Mosaic Stadium despite watching it be built in his last three years in Regina.

Kevin Glenn is still starting for the Riders and he needs to start playing better football as he’s seen Brandon Bridge enter the game too often of late.

This should be a consensus pick.

PICK: SASKATCHEWAN (99% confident)


BC at Winnipeg
Saturday | 4:00 p.m. ET

Weston Dressler and the Bombers’ offence look to get by without star receiver Darvin Adams (The Canadian Press)

The Lions are playing for jobs, while the Bombers are playing to win and clinch a home playoff game for the first time since 2011.

The two teams played two weeks ago in Winnipeg and it was the Bombers who were well ahead before BC made it a bit interesting late.

I’m expecting more of the same this time around.

PICK: WINNIPEG (66% confident)


Calgary at Edmonton
Saturday | 7:00 p.m. ET

Bo Levi Mitchell and the Stamps are in bounce back mode vs. the Esks this week (The Canadian Press)

If the BC Lions upset the Bombers, the Eskimos will still have a shot at a home playoff game so they’ll be playing with a full set of players and the Eskimos are starting to get healthy as well.

The Eskimos’ game has been very much improved and they’ll want to carry that momentum rolling against a team they could play in the Western Final.

For Calgary, the Stamps want to play well going into the playoffs but they know they’ll host the Western Final, so resting some players and getting fully healthy for the playoffs is a much greater priority.

After seeing the Riders send the statement last week, I think the Eskimos do the same this week.

PICK: EDMONTON (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 making a season-long commitment.

Each week throughout the 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.

Nye makes his picks below:

DraftKings Week 19 lineup

I’m going heavy on the home teams this week and my lineup mirrors that.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have a great matchup against the Montreal Alouettes at home but it is going to be a chilly night at Mosaic Stadium.

I think the Riders will want to rest up Cameron Marshall for the playoffs and if they get off to a good lead early and the defence scores some points, Trent Richardson is going to have a breakout game for the Riders. Christion Jones will see some punt returns and may get some looks in the receiving corps as well. The defence is an easy play with the Alouettes coming into town.

The Bombers are going to want to leave no doubt in clinching a home playoff game so I’ve got their quarterback Matt Nichols as one QB who will go the distance this week. Mike Reilly may be the other one that goes wire to wire.

Andrew Harris hasn’t had the best last couple of weeks. I think he finds his game at the perfect time going into the playoffs.

William Powell is a strong play as the REDBLACKS need to win to keep their dreams of first place in the East alive and without Brad Sinopoli, the offence is going to have to come from different people.

Derel Walker is this week’s hunch pick from which Eskimos receiver has the biggest week.