We're entering Week 8 of the CFL Season and even with the NFL preseason kicking off on Thursday this is still the only football right now where winning matters. This week's slate of games is highlighted by The Battle of Alberta with the Calgary Stampeders hosting their rivals the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday night.
We break down the CFL odds with in-depth analysis, betting notes and fearless predictions for every game on the board.
Season Betting Trends
Favorites: 19-8 SU, 13-14 ATS
Home teams: 17-10 SU, 16-11 ATS
Over/Under: 12-15
Week 7 Picks: 3-1
Season to date: 12-14-1
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS AT TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Odds: Winnipeg -14, O/U: 48.5
Time: Thursday, August 1, 7:00 p.m. ET
The Blue Bombers lost on the road in Hamilton last week to feel the sting of their first defeat of the year. They'll be eager to take out their frustration against an 0-6 Toronto side that is fresh off a 26-0 loss to Edmonton.
The Argos are dead-last in the CFL in both points per game on offense (12.5) and on defense (35.7). That's right, they have a scoring margin of minus-23.2. The Bombers have the second-best scoring offense and defense in the league, putting up 30.7 ppg and allowing 17.2.
I like Winnipeg to win and cover and although 14 points is a lot to spot the Argos have lost four of their six games this season by at least 25 points. And if you think the travel might affect the Bombers keep in mind that they actually stayed in Ontario after the Hamilton game and have been practicing at nearby Guelph.
PICK: Winnipeg -14
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HAMILTON TIGER-CATS AT SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Odds: Saskatchewan -3, O/U: 50.5
Time: Thursday, August 1, 9:30 p.m. ET
Hamilton's win against the Bombers came at a costly price, the loss of star quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to a season-ending injury. With inexperienced backup Dane Evans under center the Tiger-Cats offense will likely regress and the Roughriders defense seems to have their number.
The Ti-Cats scored 23 points against the Riders in their first meeting this season and that's actually the most points they've put up against Saskatchewan since 2016.
Hamilton's defense has stepped up recently, pressuring Bombers QB Matt Nichols into three interceptions - two more than he had previously thrown all season. They've been getting a fantastic push on the pocket thanks to end Ja'Gared Davis while the the Riders are led by three-time CFL sack leader Charleston Hughes.
The Riders are second in the league in sacks, while the Ti-Cats are third. Two excellent pass rush units and two relatively inexperienced QBs equals a low-scoring game. Take the Under.
PICK: Under 50.5
OTTAWA REDBLACKS AT MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Odds: Montreal -7.5, O/U: 53
Time: Friday, August 2, 7:00 p.m. ET
Don't look now but the Als have won three in a row thanks to an improving defense and a ground-based offense centered around running back William Stanback and dual-threat QB Vernon Adams Jr.
The Redblacks have lost four in a row, including a 36-19 defeat at home to the Als in Week 5. During that four-game stretch Ottawa has averaged just 12.5 ppg. Although starting QB Dominique Davis is expected to play after missing the last two games with a leg injury he was the incumbent signal-caller in that previous loss to Montreal.
A struggling Redblacks offense and an Alouettes side that likes to run the ball, along with a head-to-head series that has gone 7-1 to the Under in the previous eight games, makes the Under a good play.
PICK: Under 53
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EDMONTON ESKIMOS AT CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Odds: Edmonton -1, O/U: 48
Time: Saturday, August 3, 7:00 p.m. ET
Both Alberta teams are 4-2 but while the Eskimos have won with an explosive offense that ranks first in the league in passing with 321.8 yards per game, the Stamps have been winning with an opportunistic pass defense that allows the second-fewest yards in the league (241.8 per game) and snags the most interceptions (14).
Edmonton's defenders are pretty good themselves, leading the league in sacks with 23. They have the top defense in the league in terms of both yardage and scoring, holding opponents to 261.8 yards and 17 points per game. Calgary has mustered just 22 points per game over their last three contests and that includes matchups against the Argos and Redblacks who both have weak defenses. Take Edmonton.
PICK: Edmonton -1
