Last week it looked like the Winnipeg Blue Bombers would have an easy time in Edmonton against the Eskimos, who appeared to be having some difficulties on offence after posting one measly point against a ferocious Saskatchewan defence. But all it took was one game to correct that notion: the Esks put up 42 points on what had been a celebrated Bombers defence which has apparently crumbled into dust.
Now it’s Winnipeg which appears to be in the deepest hole. This 0-3 club has to go into a short week without top quarterback Buck Pierce, who is in a walking boot after tearing some ligaments and a muscle in his left leg and is out for an undetermined length of time. Now it’s up to Alex Brink (and rookie Joey Elliot) to guide this squad into Toronto on Wednesday and face an Argonauts team which seems to be finding its feet.
Fans of CFL betting will know that the Bombers will need more than rookie Chris Matthews (who is currently leading the CFL with 350 yards on 20 receptions). Their defence has coughed up 116 points, while the offence has managed only 56. The Sports Interaction betting line for this game has Toronto at -8.5; the home team shouldn’t have any trouble covering that.
On Thursday, the 3-0 Saskatchewan Roughriders take on a Calgary Stampeders team which is also facing the rest of the season without its pivot of choice, Drew Tate, who opted to have surgery on his damaged non-throwing left shoulder. The Stamps are Kevin Glenn’s team now, coming off a close but ultimately disheartening one-point loss to Montreal in which two critical mistakes late in the game by Glenn (errant pass interception for a touchdown coupled with an ill-advised run which ran out the clock). Sports Interaction has the Stamps as four-point favourites at home this week, so it’s up to Glenn to see if he’s learned any lessons about “game management” based on the decisions he made last week.
After starting 3-0, Saskatchewan must get along for the next nine games without receiver Rob Bagg, who missed all of last season because of knee surgery and is out again with an undisclosed injury. Other than that, all guns are blazing for the Green Riders, so bettors might think about taking Saskatchewan and the points.
Despite a lopsided win against Winnipeg last week, persistent reports of tension the Edmonton locker room may be pointing to a team that isn’t quite stable just yet. If so, that would be good news for the B.C. Lions as they go into their Friday home game as 7.5-point favourites at Sports Interaction, and it’s difficult to see them losing at B.C. Place with talents such as Travis Lulay and Geroy Simon (wonky finger nothwithstanding).
Saturday sees the Alouettes visit Hamilton, and here is another opportunity for Henry Burris to entrench himself as the undisputed leader of the Tiger-Cats’ offence. Even being in obvious pain, Anthony Calvillo still managed to direct a comeback last week (which, admittedly, was largely facilitated by his counterpart’s poor choices). Bettors should note that the Ticats are the only team which is 3-0 on the Over/Under proposition this season. Hamilton has moved from an opening line of pick ’em to 2.5 point favourites at Sports Interaction.
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