Weekly Predictor: Montreal plotting their trick; taking their treat

Jamie Nye

CFL.ca

@jamienye

Drum roll, please!

The final week of the CFL regular season is here and with just one game having any potential implications of how the standings finish up, Week 21 offers up one final Triple Play Fantasy Weekend for those TSN CFL Fantasy players.

As for Total Pick ‘Em, Jamie Nye gives us his Weekly Predictor. The late-Saturday tilt between the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions is the only game this week that holds any potential of mixing things up in the West Division standings. A win by the Stamps, and they claim the No. 1 seed. A loss, however, and the Riders will enjoy the rest of their bye week knowing they’ll have next week off, too.

Total CFL Pick ‘Em is back in 2018 and if you can pick the winners with regularity, you’ll have a chance to win $5,000. *View rules regarding streaks and prizing.

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

TORONTO @ OTTAWA

Friday | 7:30 p.m. ET

The Toronto Argonauts didn’t look all that inspired on the road in Montreal last week, which doesn’t bode well for a road trip to finish a season of frustration for the Argonauts.

Trevor Harris will not play in this one as the REDBLACKS will rest some of their starters but they can’t rest them all. With some players getting a shot to finally see the field, I still like the home team in the finale.

History dictates, road games for a team out of the playoffs in the regular season finale doesn’t equate to a lot of success.

PICK: OTTAWA (90% confidence)

WINNIPEG @ EDMONTON

Saturday | 4:00 p.m. ET

I sense there is a lot of pride on the line for the Edmonton Eskimos after a terrible finish to the season as they went from Grey Cup contender to out of the playoffs, as the Grey Cup hosts. There has been a lot said about the team and the future of some of their teammates and coaches. No better way than to take some frustration out on a division rival.

Winnipeg knows they’re third and while they haven’t officially stated if Matt Nichols will play, I’d imagine Mike O’Shea will decide it’s best to rest him. That would allow Chris Streveler to take the field and we’ve seen the playmaker he can be.

I’m really torn on this one, but if Mike Reilly doesn’t play or doesn’t play the full game, I like Streveler to do some damage ad-libbing some plays and using his legs to get the job done.

PICK: WINNIPEG (25% confidence)

MONTREAL @ HAMILTON

Saturday | 7:00 p.m. ET

It may be all for not in terms of the standings, but Montreal may just head into Hamilton with a plan to raise some serious questions surrounding the Ticats. (The Canadian Press)

I know, I said a road trip to end a season isn’t a recipe for success in picking Toronto/Ottawa but I think it showed last week that Montreal is playing much more inspired football. Plus, you get to see Johnny Manziel play against his former team. William Stanback has been a great player as well and the defence hasn’t been all too bad.

In Hamilton, they need to get some receivers in the game to get some momentum for the East Semi-Final against the B.C. Lions. It wasn’t a very good game in their first showing without Brandon Banks, putting up only 13. Yes, the weather was awful but the REDBLACKS were able to put up points in a crucial game.

I’m actually picking the upset, with Montreal winning back to back games to end the season.

PICK: MONTREAL (10% confidence)

CALGARY @ B.C.

Saturday | 10:00 p.m. ET

Calgary is the only team this week with something to play for. All seven other teams know their playoff fate and playoff position. Calgary needs a win or tie to clinch first and the bye to the West Final.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will be cheering for B.C. to show well in their regular season finale, as a Stampeders loss would give Saskatchewan top spot in the division.

Dave Dickenson has said there are things the Stampeders have to focus on and get better at after a terrible finish to the season. They’ve lost three straight games but also have suffered some big injuries.

I’ll be interested to see the Lions lineup but I don’t see how a team with so much to play for will lose to a team that can get some rest before the post-season.

PICK: CALGARY (75% confidence)

TSN Fantasy Picks

QUARTERBACK – Bo Levi Mitchell – It’s this simple, I have no idea quarterback rotations and who will play the entire game and who will not. But I do trust the Stampeders will put all the starters on the field for as long as the game is in balance to clinch first in the West Division.

RUNNING BACK – Don Jackson / William Stanback – Outside of just piling up on Stampeders, I’m taking William Stanback as he keeps producing well coming out of the Montreal backfield.

RECEIVERS / FLEX – Chris Matthews / Eric Rogers / Terrell Sinkfield – Yes, there are more Stampeders receivers to take but if you’re going somewhere other than Calgary this week, I think Terrell Sinkfield showed well in his first game as Brandon Banks replacement. I think he has more to give this week to get ready for the playoffs.

DEFENCE – Ottawa – Toronto has turned over the ball plenty this season and I think it could be a sloppy one for the REDBLACKS and Argos, with Ottawa taking advantage of the hapless Argos.

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