Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca
WINNIPEG — This week’s Pick ‘Em Marquee Matchup features the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Before heading into their Week 8 bye, the Blue Bombers swept a home-and-home with the Toronto Argonauts. The Tabbies, meanwhile, are coming off a rather impressive 50-11 victory over the Montreal Alouettes.
These two clubs met back in Week 3, where the Tiger-Cats came away with a 31-17 victory. But with the Bombers starting quarterback Matt Nichols back under centre – rookie Chris Streveler played the first meeting in June – things could go very differently this time around.
Hamilton will have their hands full trying to contain Nichols and his air attack along with Andrew Harris on the ground. Harris leads the league in rushing yards with 638 and leads all running backs in touchdowns with five. The Canadian tailback is also dangerous out of the backfield, as he’s already caught 27 passes for 208 yards and two major scores.
It’ll be up to the Bombers defence to keep Jeremiah Masoli and co. under control this week as well. Masoli is second in the league in passing, accumulating 2,214 yards so far this season. Jalen Saunders, one of Masoli’s favourite targets, is second to Edmonton’s Duke Williams in the receiving category with 686 yards.
Winnipeg’s defensive line has been disrupting quarterbacks all season long with Jovon Santos-Knox and Jackson Jeffcoat both collecting four sacks each. Hamilton’s big men in the trenches will need to protect Masoli and keep him upright this weekend.
Which team comes out on top – Masoli and the Tiger-Cats or Nichols and the Blue Bombers? Find out on Friday night.
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Pick Trend
The fans are siding with the home team this week at an overwhelming 84 per cent.
Don’t count out the visitors, however. The Tiger-Cats did beat Winnipeg in Week 3 and are coming of an impressive 50-11 victory over the Alouettes. Can they keep the momentum going?
CFL.ca Writer Picks
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