The Toronto Argonauts ruffled some #TotalPickEm feathers with their incredible comeback in Week 8, while the global leaderboard was shaken up in the process.
RELATED: Week 8 #TotalPickEm Recap
In #TotalPickEm, players are competing for a $5,000 end-of-season cash prize. In addition, the best predictor each week wins two tickets to any 2018 regular-season CFL game of their choice.
So, whether you’ve been invested in this from day one, or you’re just creating your profile and locking in your first picks of the season: You have something to play for.
Let’s take a look at this week’s matchups.
Thursday | Edmonton at BC (10 p.m. ET)
Week 9 will kick off on the Pacific coast Thursday night, when the Lions host the Eskimos in a critical West Division contest.
At 2-4 and a game and a half back of third-place Winnipeg, BC is facing a virtual must-win on home turf; the Eskimos, meanwhile, are 5-2 and gamely chasing the undefeated Stamps.
The vast majority of pick’em players are sticking with Mike Reilly and his stable of incredible receivers, taking historic trends — Edmonton’s won seven of its last eight against the Lions — and current records into account.
Make no mistake: BC is not a team to sleep on, especially with Travis Lulay back and running the offence somewhat efficiently.
But the safe money (pick) is still the Eskimos — Jason Maas’s team has too many options and too outstanding a quarterback to drop this one at BC Place.
PICK: Edmonton
Friday | Hamilton at Winnipeg (8:30 p.m. ET)
The Ticats head west for a date with the Blue Bombers at IGF on Friday night; Hamilton is fresh off a 50-11 hammer job on Montreal, while Winnipeg is fresh off a bye and squarely in the mix in a competitive West Division.
Look: We played it safe last week, but also understand that certain have picked their way into a position where they need to make up some ground.
When surveying the three ‘dogs this week, it’s pretty clear that Hamilton’s in the best shape of the three; Jeremiah Masoli looked confident against Montreal, has an army of excellent receivers to throw to, and a defence that’s in good form.
Granted, it was against the Alouettes. But it certainly felt like the Ticats turned a corner, exorcised some demons — all that good stuff.
But of course, we would never fault you for playing it safe with Andrew Harris, Matt Nichols and co…
PICK: Hamilton
Saturday | Montreal at Ottawa (8 p.m. ET)
Hamilton result pending, Montreal’s season could be closer to hanging in the balance come Saturday night, when the Als will visit the REDBLACKS.
Neither team will be in good spirits — Montreal was blown out on home turf on international television, while the REDBLACKS let a 24-point lead evaporate in just over a quarter.
An overwhelming number of pick’em players are taking the REDBLACKS, and so should you.
Diontae Spencer woke up in last week’s loss at Toronto (145 yds, TD), while Trevor Harris looked — dare we say it — elite under centre for the better part of three quarters.
Johnny Manziel will continue to settle into the Alouette offence, but don’t expect a miracle turnaround from four INTs to four TDs in the span of a week.
PICK: Ottawa
Week 8: 3-1
Season: 21-10 (.677)
