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#TotalPickEm returns for Week 16 with an entertaining set of four matchups which will challenge players and force them to take at least minimal risks.
burzmiester5 continues to lead the global leaderboard — the end-of-season leader of which will win $5,000 — with a handful of players directly behind them.
Reminder: In addition to the grand prize, each week has a stand-alone prize of two regular-season CFL tickets, so it’s never too late to start playing #TotalPickEm.
Let’s break down this week’s contests.
Toronto at Calgary | Friday, 9 p.m. ET
Week 16 kicks off in Calgary, where the first-place Stampeders (10-2) host the struggling Toronto Argonauts (3-9).
The Stamps are two wins clear of second-place Saskatchewan in the West — with a game in-hand on the Riders — and can mathematically clinch a playoff spot with a win.
It remains to be seen how many players Calgary’s injury-riddled roster will get back this week, but reports from early-week practices were promising. Running back Don Jackson, receiver Eric Rogers and defensive back Ciante Evans all took first-team reps: A good sign for the Stamps.
PICK: Calgary…because the records speak for themselves, Toronto has not played a full 60-minute game at any point this season and does not look capable of beating a loaded Stamps team that is 22-2 at home since 2016.
BC at Hamilton | Saturday, 4 p.m. ET
A Saturday afternoon tilt in the Hammer pits the Ticats (6-7) against the Lions (6-6) in a battle of two teams who seem to have perfected the art of mediocrity.
Both have shown flashes of brilliance, but struggled to piece wins together; consistency has been an issue for both offences.
While Jeremiah Masoli is second in the league in pass yards (4,097) and third in touchdowns (18), he has also thrown a league-high 13 interceptions.
Re-established as BC’s starting quarterback, Jonathon Jennings gave us a glimpse last week of what he might still be as a CFL quarterback — even after losing his job twice.
PICK: Hamilton…because both of these teams have played .500 football this season, and the Ticats had the Lions on the ropes on the west coast last week until a, well, disastrous final two minutes.
Winnipeg at Edmonton | Saturday, 7 p.m. ET
The Bombers (6-7) snapped their extended losing skid with a much-needed win against Montreal last week, but now face a tough test in northern Alberta against the Esks (7-6).
It’s hard to believe the two clubs have virtually the same record, given the pedigree of Mike Reilly and Edmonton’s more recent playoff success, yet here we are.
It wasn’t a rosy middle third of the season for the Esks, as Reilly and co. are 1-3 in their last four games and quickly dropped from ‘potential Calgary challenger’ status to fighting for a playoff spot.
PICK: Edmonton…because of the home/road splits: The Esks are 5-1 at Commonwealth Stadium, while Winnipeg is 2-4 away from IGF. Also, Mike Reilly is the best quarterback in the CFL and unlikely to be held under 20-25 points in back-to-back weeks.
Saskatchewan at Montreal | Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
It’s officially ‘season on the line’ time in Montreal: The Alouettes are 3-10, and trail the final playoff spot by six points with just five games remaining. Simply put, Mike Sherman’s team can’t afford to lose another game.
The league’s worst offence, the Als will have to break down Saskatchewan (8-5) and Chris Jones’s solid defence — no easy task for anybody, but especially a team that’s given up 12 sacks in its last two outings.
Were the Riders lucky that Zack Medeiros missed a pair of fourth-quarter kicks last week? Yes.
Did Saskatchewan’s offence die in the second half against the Argos? Yes.
But…
PICK: Saskatchewan…because Johnny Manziel has thrown zero touchdown passes in three starts for the Als, the Riders front seven will likely eat Montreal’s inconsistent O-line alive and again: Just look at the records.
Week 15: 4-0
Season: 35-22 (.614)
