Weekly Predictor: Can it all be decided in Week 20?

Jamie Nye

CFL.ca

@jamienye

In Week 20’s edition of Weekly Predictor by Jamie Nye, the playoff picture appears to be set by the end of the weekend. That’s if Nye’s predictions are correct of course.

The week’s tab of games kicks off with the Calgary Stampeders trotting into Winnipeg to take on the Blue Bombers. If the Bombers win, they lock up the last remaining playoff spot. If Calgary wins, they lock up top spot in the West.

Saturday features the Ticats and REDBLACKS again for a crucial matchup in determining how the East Division may end up shaping prior to the playoffs getting underway.

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With the first game tabbed to kick off on Friday, here are Jamie Nye’s picks for Week 20 of the CFL season.

Matt Nichols and the Blue Bombers have the power to determine their destiny in 2018. Can they seal their playoff hopes up in Week 20? (The Canadian Press)

CALGARY @ WINNIPEG

Friday | 8:30 p.m. ET

The Calgary Stampeders are stumbling down the stretch as it appears all the injuries in the receiving corps have finally caught up to them. Bo Levi Mitchell just isn’t feeling it lately and it’s led to back to back losses.

But the Stampeders do have a lot to play for as a win will clinch first in the CFL’s West Division but I’d argue the Bombers have much more to play for as a win and they clinch a playoff spot and eliminate the Edmonton Eskimos from the playoff picture.

The Bombers have won four straight games and have scored 30+ points in all four of them. After Zach Collaros just threw for 350+ yards in Calgary, I believe Matt Nichols will be able to move the ball at home against the Stampeders as the Bombers stretch their streak to five.

PICK: WINNIPEG (50% confidence)

OTTAWA @ HAMILTON

Saturday | 4:00 p.m. ET

The REDBLACKS head to Hamilton for the second part of their back-to-back series against the Tiger-Cats on Saturday. (The Canadian Press)

I was going to go with a split in this series based on who won game one, but not anymore. The injury to Brandon Banks makes the receiving group incredibly thin and I know they have a few veterans like Marquay McDaniel and newly signed Terrell Sinkfield to try to fill the void but neither of those players have the game-breaking ability like Banks.

The impact to Jeremiah Masoli is going to be interesting to see. When he loses a 100-yard player like Banks, it’s hard to see him throwing for 300+ yards as consistently as he has been. Alex Green is the key for the Tiger-Cats to overcome this. If they can flip the script and run the ball with success, it could pay off big time.

Ottawa comes in rolling from a big win against the Tiger-Cats knowing a win clinches first in the East and an extra weeks rest.

PICK: OTTAWA (66% confidence)

B.C. @ SASKATCHEWAN

Saturday | 7:00 p.m. ET

The rolling Lions face a tough Roughriders team that’s coming off a victory against the division-leading Stamps. (The Canadian Press)

Flipping a coin is probably a cop-out but this is the game of the week. Depending on what happens on Friday night between Winnipeg and Calgary could swing the pendulum the other way.

But the Riders are coming off an emotional week and emotionally high victory against the Stampeders. IF I’m right and Winnipeg beats Calgary on Friday, the Riders know their chance at first place is still alive. As mentioned, Collaros had a big game and could have Naaman Roosevelt back this week as the Riders are getting healthy in their receiving group at the right time. Jordan Williams-Lambert went over 100-yards in his return.

The Lions, on the other hand, are the hottest team in the CFL with six wins in their last seven games. DeVier Posey and Tyrell Sutton have become big additions to the team and make the Lions a serious contender down the stretch as their defence has picked it up considerably in the back half of the season.

What a great game to gauge just how these two teams shape up in what could be the West Semi-Final or West Final match-up. But I think the home field advantage will be the difference in this one.

PICK: SASKATCHEWAN (33% confidence)

TORONTO @ MONTREAL

Sunday | 1:00 p.m. ET

With the Alouettes and Argonauts out of the playoff picture for quite some time now, the remaining few games give players like Johnny Manziel to take advantage of the remaining few reps to head into the off-season with. (The Canadian Press)

Pride is again on the line and I think the Montreal Alouettes may be playing angry in the rematch of a game that Johnny Manziel accurately stated was a game they should have won.

This time the game is in Montreal and I think the defence will be the difference for the Alouettes on home turf. Manziel gets another crack at his first CFL win, while William Stanback will try to follow up a 100-yard game with an encore.

Both offences aren’t exactly lighting the world on fire. James Franklin is hoping to improve from his latest start as he and Manziel have a lot to play for to show good film with teams evaluating their quarterbacks this off-season.

PICK: MONTREAL (25% confidence)

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QUARTERBACK – Matt Nichols – After seeing Zach Collaros throw for 350 yards last week against the Calgary Stampeders, I could see Nichols throwing for an equal amount with a much more veteran-laden group of receivers. The problem is Calgary hasn’t allowed many passing touchdowns this season, but they are also playing some of their worst football of the year lately.

RUNNING BACKS – William Powell / William Stanback / Tyrell Sutton (flex) – While Trevor Harris threw for a lot of yards against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, I think a bigger focus on the league’s leading rushing will the different look in the rematch against Hamilton. Stanback ran for over 100-yards last week against Toronto and will be relied upon again to spark the offence in the rematch and I think he has it in him to go back to back weeks. Sutton has been fantastic for BC in his first two games as the feature back. He is running with purpose and with injuries in the interior of the Riders defensive line, I could see the Lions try to take advantage on the ground in a hostile environment.

RECEIVERS – Weston Dressler / Terrell Sinkfield – Jordan Williams-Lambert had over 100-yards receiving as a good possession receiver, who made people miss last week against Calgary. I think Dressler is in a similar position of strength against the Stampeders and he’s found the end zone in back to back games. Sinkfield is a gut play as his skill set matches Brandon Banks more so than any other receiver in Hamilton who will be tasked to replace the dynamic receiver.

DEFENCE – Montreal – Two interceptions and a touchdown last week against Toronto, but I think they won’t allow as many points this week, while still being able to turn the ball over and get to Franklin after sacking him three times last week.

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