Prediction Time: CFL.ca writers make their Week 21 picks

CFL.ca Staff

We head into Week 21 of the CFL regular season, and with some interesting matchups on tap, the CFL.ca writers had two unanimous favourites and a pair of teams that received the majority of the votes.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders are both vying for the West Division crown in the final week of the regular season, and with neither team expected to sit their starters, they have received the full support from the writers in their respective matchups.

Because both the Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats are expected to rest starters ahead of the playoffs, both the Ottawa REDBLACKS and Toronto Argonauts got support. However, the pair of postseason-bound squads are still favoured to win.

Here are the picks for Week 21.

Total CFL Pick ‘Em is back in 2019 with weekly and season-long prizes to those who can pick ’em best (View rules and regulations, including prizing).

Odds provided by LeoVegas.

MTL at OTT

The final week of the regular season kicks off with the final matchup of the season between the Alouettes and REDBLACKS.

Vernon Adams Jr. will be starting the game under centre for the Als. However, he’ll likely only be in the game for a portion of the first half before being replaced by one of Matthew Shiltz or Antonio Pipkin. William Stanback will also start, with the team resting Jeremiah Johnson instead. Quan Bray, DeVier Posey, John Bowman, Chris Ackie, and Tommie Campbell will also be out, as they were placed on the one-game injured list.

Ottawa will also have some individuals out of the lineup, as receiver Dominique Rhymes, defensive back Chris Randle, linebacker Kevin Francis and defensive linemen J.R. Tavai and Shaneil Jenkins were all moved to the one-game injured list. However, Antoine Pruneau and John Crockett will return and Dominique Davis will be the starter for the season finale.

The Als know they’ll be back in action next weekend in the Eastern Semi-Final against Edmonton. Ottawa will try and avoid dropping 11 straight games to finish 2019.

PICK

Writers: 83% MTL

Fans: 93% MTL

LeoVegas: MTL -9

EDM at SSK

The Saturday triple-header kicks off with the Riders welcoming the Eskimos to Mosaic Stadium in a game that has big implications on the site.

The two teams met up in the first half of their back-to-back at Commonwealth Stadium in Week 20, with Saskatchewan

Cody Fajardo is now considered questionable for the game after he reportedly pulled a muscle in his back during a closed practice. If he is unable to play Isaac Harker will be the man that starts for the Riders. The team is likely to have a full complement of talent otherwise.

On the other side, the Esks already know who their matchup will be in the playoffs. Trevor Harris is also expected to sit, with Logan Kilgore under centre. This will be a good chance for the backup to get more reps, as he started four games while helping the team clinch its postseason berth.

With a victory, the Riders would lock up the West Division crown for the first time since the 2009 season. Riderville should be out in full force to try and push their squad over the line.

PICK

Writers: 100% SSK

Fans: 89% SSK

LeoVegas: SSK -9.5

TOR at HAM

The Argos invade Hamilton looking to go out on a high note in 2019.

In a familiar trend for this week, it sounds as though Dane Evans will also be sitting out of his team’s final game, leaving Hayden Moore as the man running the offence. It’s unclear who else will be out of the Ticats’ lineup, however, Brandon Banks could be one of the players who stays in so that he can further solidify his case for MOP.

Toronto will be deploying its main pieces, with McLeod Bethel-Thompson likely to start before conceding quarterbacking duties to the likes of Michael O’Connor and Dakota Prukop. James Wilder Jr. and Chris Rainey were full participants in practice during the week and, after S.J. Green reached multiple milestones over the last few weeks, Armanti Edwards has the chance to break the 1,000-yard plateau for the first time in his pro career.

Matthew Cauz and Jamie Nye are both going with the Argos. The Tabbies are trying to win their 15th game of the year and finish with a spotless record at Tim Hortons Field in the process.

PICK

Writers: 66% HAM

Fans: 91% HAM

LeoVegas: HAM -12

CGY at BC

The final game of the regular season could be the most important when the Stamps and Lions meet up on Saturday.

All hands are on deck for Calgary with top spot in the division on the line. Bo Levi Mitchell continues to have strong performances since coming back from injury, Reggie Begelton is officially an MOP candidate, and Hergy Mayala has been on fire the last few weeks.

Danny O’Brien will once again be the starter for the Lions for the final game of the season. The Leos could look at getting some other players in the game with an eye to 2020, however, DeVone Claybrooks’ squad has made it clear that they’re trying to make it as difficult as possible on the rest of the West.

There’s a lot on the line for the Stamps. Depending on the outcome of the Riders game, a win would result in a playoff game being held at McMahon Stadium — ahead of the 107th Grey Cup presented by Shaw, of course. However, a loss at BC Place would force the Stampeders to head on the road to play in Winnipeg in the Western Semi-Final.

PICK

Writers: 100% CGY

Fans: 91% CGY

LeoVegas: CGY -7.5

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