Prediction Time: CFL.ca writers make their Week 12 picks

CFL.ca Staff

It’s time for Mark’s Labour Day Weekend, and while the matchups will be firey and highly contested, there wasn’t a lot of deviation from the favourites this week.

The CFL.ca writers have unanimously pegged the Saskatchewan Roughriders to roll to victory in their game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In the other two matchups of the week, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders have been chosen to win their respective matchups.

Here are the picks for Week 12.

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Odds provided by LeoVegas.

WPG at SSK

Well, we know what happened last time the writers all bet against the Bombers.

Heading into a back-to-back against one another, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg renew pleasantries at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday to kick off Week 12.

The Bombers will be heading into a matchup with the CFL’s hottest team, and despite boasting the better record, they go into the matchup as the underdog from a betting standpoint. The losses of both quarterback Matt Nichols and running back Andrew Harris play into that, however.

Chris Streveler will make his second start of the year under centre for Winnipeg while Johnny Augustine will be tasked with matching Harris’ production out of the backfield. Streveler did get the win in his first start of the campaign, but the defence — specifically, Willie Jefferson — were the story against Edmonton in Week 11. The defensive lineman had four tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles against the Esks.

Countering them will be the Riders, who put up 40 points in Week 11, with both the offence and defence contributing to the final scoreline. Cody Fajardo has finally become the steady quarterback that Saskatchewan has been yearning for, William Powell is a top running back in the league, and the duo of Kyran Moore and Shaq Evans have been fantastic.

Charleston Hughes has been a menace to opposing offences and Micah Johnson looks like he’ll be ready to go for Sunday. If they can make Streveler put the ball in the air more often, the Riders could be in a good position.

The Bombers do love to play spoiler to the writers’ picks. Let’s see if they can do it again.

PICK

Writers: 100% SSK

Fans: 75% SSK

LeoVegas: SSK -6.5

TOR at HAM

This will be the second time the Argos and Ticats face-off head-to-head this season — it’ll also be just the third game the Boatmen play against East Division competition.

Hamilton ran away with the first game, walking into BMO Field and leaving with a 64-14 victory.

Dane Evans has provided steady play in the wake of the Jeremiah Masoli injury, but there’s been up and down performances since he took over under centre. But the story of the Ticats over the last two games has been their defence, which has allowed just 17 combined points. They got to BC quarterback Mike Reilly seven times while intercepting two balls and forcing another turnover on downs.

The Argos have certainly taken positive strides forward in their past three games, but they still have just one win to show for their efforts. McLeod Bethel-Thompson is turning it on at the perfect time. He had 464 yards and two touchdowns against Montreal during Touchdown Atlantic. He can take that confidence into this matchup. Chris Rainey led the team in rushing with 46 yards while five different receivers — including running back Brandon Burks — had over 60 yards receiving for the game.

A sold-out crowd in the Hammer will make a lot of noise, but Toronto will be hell-bent on turning their luck around and playing spoiler on Monday afternoon.

PICK

Writers: 66% HAM

Fans: 90% HAM

LeoVegas: HAM -13.5

EDM at CGY

In the second installment of The Battle of Alberta,

The first matchup between these two teams saw the Stampeders take the victory by a 24-18 score. Edmonton will throw their best counter punch to try and get the season series all knotted up.

Despite their loss to the Bombers in Week 11, the Esks still boast the top statistical offence and defence in the league. Trevor Harris completed 26 passes for 430 yards and a touchdown and DaVaris Daniels had 10 catches and 207 yards receiving while Tevaun Smith had 114 yards through the air and a score.

The Stamps are returning to action off a bye week, but their last outing — an overtime thriller against the Alouettes — was arguably the game of the year. Nick Arbuckle completed 86 percent of his passes for 370 yards and four touchdowns. His favourite target was Reggie Begelton, who had 173 yards and caught all four of Arbuckle’s touchdown tosses. Don Jackson also had 70 yards on the ground in his return to the Calgary lineup.

This game could be an aerial showcase, and with the added intensity of the Labour Day Classic on top of that, this game will be the perfect end to an already great weekend of football.

PICK

Writers: 83% CGY

Fans: 66% CGY

LeoVegas: CGY -2.5

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