November 1, 2017

Weekly Predictor: Could the Stamps really lose 3 in a row?

The Canadian Press

Last week, the Calgary Stampeders lost their second game in a row for the first time in half a decade. Back in the comfortable confines of McMahon Stadium, could a third loss be on the way?

Meanwhile, there’s still plenty to play for across the league in the season’s final week. The Argos eye first in the East when they visit BC, while Edmonton and Saskatchewan fight for the right to stay west.

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.

Without further delay, Nye makes his final picks for the 2017 season.

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

June Jones and Jeremiah Masoli hope to lead the Ticats to one final win in the finale (The Canadian Press)

The game doesn’t mean anything in the standings but for the young players who are getting the playing time to audition it means the world, especially the quarterbacks who will come into the game for both teams.

I will however concede the Tiger-Cats look like a much more inspired team down the stretch and will finish strong at home to give some more optimism for next year.

PICK: HAMILTON (90% confidence)


Winnipeg at Calgary
Friday | 9:30 p.m. ET

While Matt Nichols is sidelined, the Bombers should have Andrew Harris in Week 20 (The Canadian Press)

No Matt Nichols for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers but news of Andrew Harris practising will be a welcome relief to Bomber fans for the game to clinch second and home field in the Western  Semi-Final.

I do believe after consecutive losses the Stampeders won’t be slowing down going into the playoffs knowing they have a bye week ahead. If I’m Dave Dickenson, I’m looking for a passionate effort in the last game of the season, whoever is playing on both sides of the ball. He says it’ll be a different roster with a lot of different faces being given an opportunity.

Bomber fans will be happy with that. I’ve got the Bombers in a potential battle of the backups with Andrew Buckley likely seeing a lot of time on Friday.

PICK: WINNIPEG (30% confidence)


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

Chris Jones could rest some players, but that won’t take away from the Riders’ urgency (The Canadian Press)

The Edmonton Eskimos could be playing for second or third depending on what the Winnipeg Blue Bombers do the evening before. Their 46-man roster will already be submitted so resting players is out of the question for the most part.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders already know second is out of the question and Chris Jones has been very adamant that despite resting some players this week who could play, winning is all that he has on his mind.

I’d hate to do a cop-out here but if the Bombers beat the Stampeders and the Eskimos know they are on the road, I’m looking at seeing a few backups playing later in the game. If the Bombers lose, well, Mike Reilly and the Eskimos are going to come out flying to take second in the West. I want to pick the Eskimos if the Bombers lose, but I’ve got a Bombers win, so….

PICK: SASKATCHEWAN (25% confidence)


Toronto at BC
Saturday | 10:00 p.m. ET

Ricky Ray hopes to lead the Argos to their first division title since 2013 (Johany Jutras/Argonauts.ca)

The final game of the regular season has a lot riding on it as Ricky Ray and the Argonauts need a win to clinch first in the East Division and get a week off to rest. I’m thinking you’ll see the Lions come out firing as well, being as how this could be the final game for Wally Buono as their head coach and general manager.

Will the Lions win one for Wally? They certainly showed last week they aren’t lying down with no playoffs in sight.

But I can’t ignore the far greater goal for a team clinching first in the division and home field in the Eastern Final. Great matchup with James Wilder Jr. and Solomon Elimimian!

PICK: TORONTO (50% confidence)


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 20 lineup

The Toronto Argonauts have a lot to play for so I don’t think you’ll see them hold back against the BC Lions. Ray, Wilder and Green are solid plays as there is no threat you’ll see them rest too much with first place on the line and an opportunity to rest next week with a bye.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are the same, although with Andrew Harris dinged up and a backup quarterback in the game, I’m worried it’ll have to be their defence that wins the game against Calgary. The Stamps are likely to rest a lot of players so it could be a lot of opportunities for the Bombers defence to take advantage.

The Roughriders don’t have a lot to play for but Chad Owens doesn’t care, he’s come out of his time off on fire and has become a go-to start in fantasy.

I’m taking a bit of a flyer with Greg Morris at running back, he scored late in the game last week when Trent Richardson went down (though it was called back because of penalty). With injuries at RB, it’s either him or Marcus Thigpen to get reps if Kienan LaFrance continues to sit out as well. Morris also could add some points on special team returns.

Jalen Saunders offers some good upside if a defence starts rolling coverage to Brandon Banks. Saunders is almost as fast and can score from anywhere, anytime.