The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the BC Lions in CFL action on Friday night. This is a marquee matchup between two teams that clashed in the West Division finals in each of the last two years.
The Bombers prevailed in both of those playoff showdowns and my CFL picks for this Week 3 clash expect the same result. See why I'm taking the home side with my Lions vs. Blue Bombers predictions for June 21.
Lions vs Blue Bombers prediction
My best bet
Blue Bombers -2 (-110 at Caesars)
My analysis
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers entered this season as the Grey Cup odds favorites but have begun the year with back-to-back upset losses. It's been an uncharacteristic sloppy start from the Bombers, who have been dropping passes, missing tackles, and turning the ball over at a surprisingly high rate.
Winnipeg is last in the CFL with a turnover margin of -5, which is shocking for an experienced team that had the best such margin in the league for each of the last four seasons. That said, this looks like a get-right spot for them against a BC Lions team that they've owned in recent years.
Winnipeg is always a tough venue for visitors and the Leos are on a short week after beating the Stampeders 26-17 at home last Saturday. The Lions have an explosive aerial attack spearheaded by Vernon Adams Jr. but the Bombers have typically done a good job of game-planning against Adams and limiting his deep looks.
On the other side of the ball, the Leos have struggled since the midway point of last season, surrendering 31.8 ppg in their final nine regular season games of 2023. That poor defensive play has continued this season with BC giving up 35 points to Toronto in its season opener before getting torched for 339 passing yards last week.
All-Star running back Brady Oliveira is questionable for Friday but star wideout Dalton Schoen is healthy and two-time MOP quarterback Zach Collaros will look to make up for back-to-back bad games. Look for Collaros to bounce back from those outlier performances and lead the Bombers to a win here.
Lions vs Blue Bombers same-game parlay (SGP)
Blue Bombers -2.5
Over 51.5
William Stanback Over 57.5 rushing yards
With their explosive offense and leaky defense, the Leos have been an Over machine, going above the total in nine of their last 11 games. The Bombers have also been cashing Overs, going 9-3 O/U in their previous 12 contests.
The Bombers lost two crucial pieces of their defensive line in the offseason with the retirement of Jackson Jeffcoat and the departure of stud DT Ricky Walker. That line is also currently missing end Celestin Haba and tackles Cam Lawson and Miles Fox due to injuries.
When you also consider that Winnipeg will likely drop multiple players into coverage in order to limit BC's passing game, things should open up for Stanback at the line of scrimmage.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Lions vs Blue Bombers odds
Lions vs Blue Bombers live odds
Lions vs Blue Bombers opening odds
- Spread: BC +1.5 | Winnipeg -1.5
- Moneyline: BC +110 | Winnipeg -130
- Over/Under: Over 50.5 (-110) | Under 50.5 (-110)
Lions vs Blue Bombers spread and Over/Under analysis
- Early money has come in on Winnipeg and the Over, shifting the total to 51.5 and moving the spread to -2.5.
- The Bombers entered this season as the Grey Cup faves at +225 but after losing to the Alouettes and Redblacks, they now have the fourth-best odds at +400.
- The Leos began the season with an upset loss to the Argos and they beat the Stamps last week with a last-minute field goal helping them cover as 8-point chalk.
- The Bombers are 5-1 SU and ATS in the last six meetings with five of those contests taking place in Winnipeg.
Lions vs Blue Bombers trend
The Bombers have gone 18-3 SU and 15-6 ATS at home since the start of the 2021 season. Find more CFL betting trends for Lions vs. Blue Bombers.
Lions vs Blue Bombers game info
| Location: | Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg, MB |
| Date: | Friday, 6-21-2024 |
| Kick-off: | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN |
Lions vs Blue Bombers key injuries
Lions: Jevon Cottoy WR (Out), Francis Bemiy DL (Out), T.J. Lee (Out), Michael Couture OL (Out), Keon Hatcher WR (Out).
Blue Bombers: Brady Oliveira RB (Questionable), Kyrie Wilson LB (Questionable), Deatrick Nichols DB (Questionable), Celestin Haba, Miles Fox DT(Out), Cam Lawson DT (Out).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
Lions vs Blue Bombers weather
Not intended for use in MA.
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