With only three games remaining on the regular season schedule, the drive to the postseason continues for CFL teams in Week 17.Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Toronto Argonauts (-4.5, 50.5)The Blue Bombers are coming off a 32-21 loss to Calgary and need to win in Toronto Friday to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. The Bombers received some good news earlier this week when first-string QB Buck Pierce (concussion) was cleared to play. Pierce has been sidelined since taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from Toronto’s Brandon Isaac in a 29-10 home loss to the Argos on Sept. 29.
The Argonauts are second in the East Division with a mediocre record of 7-8. Toronto has dropped two straight and suffered losses in four of its last five games. However, head coach Scott Milanovich announced that first-string QB Ricky Ray (MCL) will return Friday and give the club a much-needed morale boost. The Argonauts are just 1-5 ATS in their last six home games.
Edmonton Eskimos at B.C. Lions (-8, 47)The Lions have already clinched a playoff spot with the best record (11-4) in the CFL after 15 games. The Leos have won two straight and five of their last six contests after a convincing 37-17 victory over Hamilton last week. Quarterback Travis Lulay, who celebrated the birth of a new child earlier this week, converted 27 of 34 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns, extending his streak of consecutive games with at least one passing score to 26.
The Eskimos kept their playoff hopes alive with a 37-20 win over Saskatchewan last week. Running back Hugh Charles racked up a career-high 152 yards on 17 carries in the win to earn CFL Offensive Player of the Week honors. Edmonton is 5-1 ATS in its last six October games.
Montreal Alouettes at Saskatchewan Roughriders (-3.5, 53)The Alouettes (9-7) are the only team in the East with a winning record after they avoided a third straight loss with a 24-12 victory over the Argos last week. Quarterback Anthony Calvillo has completed less than 54 percent of his pass attempts over the last five games, something that has happened only once during his previous 10 outings in 2012. The 19-year CFL veteran has looked mediocre at times this season and has voiced his frustration in dealings with the media over the last few weeks.
The Roughriders are one of the hottest teams in the league since the start of September, winning five of their last six games. However, Kory Sheets has cooled off as of late. The running back has scored just once in his last five games, which is a far cry from his efforts earlier in the campaign when he recorded at least one TD in five straight contests. The teams have played under the total in four of the last five meetings.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Calgary Stampeders (-7, 56)The Tiger-Cats managed just three points through the first three quarters in front of their hometown fans, eventually leading to a 37-17 loss to British Columbia last week. The Hamilton defense surrendered 476 yards to the Lions and was stuck on the field for just under 40 minutes in the contest, limiting the opportunities for the league’s best offensive unit (29.2 points per game) led by QB Henry Burris.
Calgary has already secured a spot in the playoffs, thanks to a 9-6 mark after it took out Winnipeg last week. Quarterback Kevin Glenn led the way for the Stampeders, converting 21 of 29 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns. The Stamps won the most recent battle with the Tiger-Cats, who are 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings with Calgary, by a score of 31-20 in August.