Last week was a great start for our CFL betting picks as we went 2-0 for +2 units, cashing with the Argonauts +4 at Saskatchewan (Toronto won outright) and the Stampeders -10 at home to the Blue Bombers.
In Week 3, we get treated to another pair of Thursday-Friday doubleheaders on TSN.
Things get started with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers visiting the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton Thursday evening, followed by the Argonauts in B.C. to face the Lions.
Friday’s twin bill features the Calgary Stampeders at the Ottawa Redblacks and the Saskatchewan Roughriders at the Edmonton Eskimos.
Kickoffs are scheduled for 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. (eastern) on both nights.
Week 3 CFL betting lines at Pinnacle
(Odds as of 2 p.m. eastern on Tuesday, July 5; visit our Live CFL Odds page for the latest odds.)
Week 3 CFL Betting Picks
Blue Bombers at Tiger-Cats
Things are already ugly in Winnipeg, where the Blue Bombers are 0-2 and calls have begun for coach Mike O’Shea’s head.
The good news is the return of WR Weston Dressler, who was knocked out of the team’s opener against Montreal in the first quarter. But Winnipeg still has a lot of work to do on offense, with most of the Bombers’ points this season coming in the fourth quarter and the team down by double digits.
We’d lean towards a motivated Blue Bombers squad in this game were it not for the fact that the Tiger-Cats are coming off a stinker of their own, laying an egg in their 28-3 loss to B.C. last week in their home opener. Hamilton committed 13 penalties for 105 yards in that contest and coach Kent Austin has promised a more disciplined effort this week. We think that will be more evident on the defensive side of the ball, especially after Jeremiah Masoli and the offence struggled to score just three singles and commit four turnovers against B.C.
It points to a low-scoring game this week at Tim Hortons Field. But seeing how Winnipeg’s offence seems to wake up in fourth quarters and we don’t want to worry about a bunch of points scored in garbage time, we’ll take the First Half Under 26 (we got that line at www.WilliamHill.com on Tuesday, but other sportsbooks should add their First Half totals by Thursday.)
Roughriders at Eskimos
Saskatchewan lost last week in the debut of new head coach Chris Jones, but it wasn’t all bad news for the Green Riders. After allowing 2 early TDs, the defence held Toronto’s offence to just 3 field goals the rest of the way (the Argos’ other TD came on a fumble return). Toronto’s first score was set up by a long punt return, and Saskatchewan outgained the Argos 382-241 on the night. Even in a loss, the improvement of the Roughriders was apparent.
Edmonton had a bye last week after losing its opener in overtime to Ottawa. The Eskimos may be defending Grey Cup champions, but they’re also adjusting to having 10 new players in their lineup and a new coaching staff. We don’t think Edmonton should be laying double digits to anyone right now, even coming off a bye week and a loss.
In what should be an emotional night in Edmonton for both sides with Jones returning to coach against his former team, we like the Roughriders to hang tough and challenge for the upset win. Saskatchewan +10 is our play (www.Pinnacle.com had the best line as of Tuesday, offering +10 at -106 juice), but you might want to hold off til closer to kick off in case the line moves up to 10.5 or higher.