Lions vs Blue Bombers Prediction, Picks & Odds for CFL Week 9

After being humiliated on home field by the Calgary Stampeders, the 4-3 Winnipeg Blue Bombers return to Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday to take on the 1-5 BC Lions as 7.5-point favorites.

My Lions vs. Blue Bombers predictions see Dru Brown bouncing back under center for Winnipeg, but don't expect BC's quarterback change to provide much of a spark for the Leos.

Find out more in my CFL picks for this Week 9 clash on July 30, with kickoff set for 8:30 p.m. ET on TSN.

Who will win Lions vs Blue Bombers: Blue Bombers -7.5 (-115)

In a matchup of former Big 12 quarterbacks, Dru Brown is set to take on Kaidon Salter under the Thursday night lights, and Brown should have a field day for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Brown draws a favorable matchup against a BC Lions pass defence that has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 73.9% of their attempts, the worst mark in the league. BC's D has also struggled to get off the field, posting the league's lowest second-down stop rate.

Not only does CB1 Garry Peters remain sidelined for the Leos, but fellow DB T.J. Lee joins the veteran on the injury report after being limited in practice (thigh).

Meanwhile, Salter is set to make his first CFL start after taking first-team reps this week. The former Colorado pivot replaced the struggling Chase Brice late in the fourth quarter of last week's 26-12 loss to Toronto, and he'll have his hands full against a Blue Bombers defence that leads the league in sacks (15) and pass knockdowns (32). 

BC offensive lineman Joshua Donovan is also ruled out for this matchup after being carted off in last week's loss, further weakening a unit that already took a hit when the team released OT Dejon Allen a few days prior.

Winnipeg is set for a double-digit win in Week 9, and I'd play this to -9.5 in the CFL odds.

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Lions vs Blue Bombers total prediction: Under 54.5 (-115)

BC's offense looks completely lost without reigning MOP Nathan Rourke at the helm.

While Salter's mobility — relative to Brice's — should give the Lions a better chance of extending plays outside the pocket, it's hard to trust an offence that has averaged just 14.5 points per game over the last two weeks.

Game-script aside, 54.5 is too steep for me to pull the trigger on the Over, especially given the last six head-to-head matchups have failed to clear this number. 

Playable to -130.

COVERS INTEL: Entering the season, Bombers first-year offensive coordinator Tommy Condell had called pass plays on first down at the highest rate of any CFL offensive coordinator dating back to 2019. While BC's defence has been stout against the run, expect Condell to lean into an aggressive passing approach against the Lions' injury-riddled secondary.

Lions vs Blue Bombers same-game parlay

While the drop-off from Rourke to Salter is steep, the gap between 37-year-old Zach Collaros and Brown isn't nearly as significant by comparison.

Winnipeg should jump out to an early lead and never look back, and I expect the Bombers' pass rush to make life difficult for Salter in his first start for BC.

Lions vs Blue Bombers SGP

• Blue Bombers -7.5
• Under 54.5

Lions vs Blue Bombers weather

Temperatures are expected to reach around 30°C during the day, then cool to 19°C by kickoff.

Any chance of precipitation remains low ahead of this divisional showdown in Winnipeg.

Lions vs Blue Bombers odds

• Spread: Lions +7.5 (-105) | Blue Bombers -7.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: Lions +295 | Blue Bombers -375
• Over/Under: Over 54.5 (-105) | Under 54.5 (-115)

Lions vs Blue Bombers key injuries

Lions: James Butler RB (Questionable), Nathan Rourke QB (Out), Garry Peters DB (Out), T.J. Lee DB (Out), Cristophe Beaulieu DB (Out), Patrice Rene DB (Out), Levi Bell DL (Out), Stanley Berryhill III WR (Out), Jevon Cottoy WR (Out), Nate Demontagnac WR (Out), Joshua Donovan OL (Out), Adam Konar LB (Out), Brandon Yates OL (Out), Mark McNamee K (Out).
Blue Bombers: Brady Oliveira RB (Questionable), Nic Demski WR (Questionable), Jarell Broxton OL (Questionable), Stanley Bryant OL (Questionable), Micah Vanterpool OL (Questionable), Jaiden Woodbey LB (Questionable), Nick Hallett DB (Questionable), De'Shaan Dixon DL (Questionable), Brody Clark LB (Out).

Lions vs Blue Bombers trend

Winnipeg is 8-2 SU over its last eight games against BC, including having won four straight matchups dating back to August of 2024.

How to watch Lions vs Blue Bombers and game info

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