The 2022 CFL season gets underway this week and Friday night features the Winnipeg Blue Bombers beginning the defense of their Grey Cup title as they host the Ottawa Redblacks.
The Redblacks appear to be vastly improved this year after major moves in the offseason, but the defending champion Bombers are still massive favorites for this contest. CFL betting lines hit the board with Winnipeg as 11.5-point home favorites for this contest before shortening to -9.5 with the Over/Under currently at 47.5.
Here are our best free Redblacks vs. Blue Bombers picks and predictions for Friday, June 10, with kickoff at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Redblacks vs Blue Bombers odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until kickoff and be sure to check out the full CFL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Redblacks vs Blue Bombers predictions
- Prediction: Blue Bombers -9.5 (-110)
- Prediction: Under 48 (-110)
- Best bet: Redblacks TT Under 18.5 (-110)
Predictions made on 6/8/2022 at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
Redblacks vs Blue Bombers game info
• Location: IG Field, Winnipeg, MB
• Date: Friday, June 10, 2022
• Kick-off: 8:30 p.m. ET
• TV: TSN
Redblacks at Blue Bombers betting preview
Weather
Key injuries
Redblacks: William Powell RB (Out), Ryan Davis WR (Out), Kwaku Boateng DE (Out).
Blue Bombers: Jackson Jeffcoat DE (Questionable), Brandon Alexander DB (Out), Mike Miller FB (Questionable).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Blue Bombers are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 games at home while the Redblacks are 3-9 ATS in their previous 12 contests on the road. Find more CFL betting trends for Redblacks vs. Blue Bombers.
Redblacks vs Blue Bombers picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
The Redblacks have been the worst team in the league since the start of the 2019 season, going just 6-26 SU and 10-22 ATS. However, new general manager Shawn Burke has been hard at work in the offseason adding talent to bolster an offense that averaged a pathetic 264.8 yards and 16.0 points per game last year.
Former Hamilton quarterback and 2018 East All-Star Jeremiah Masoli will take over passing duties in the nation's capital. The wide receiver corps has added Jaelon Acklin and Darvin Adams while running back William Powell returns to the team after a pair of seasons with Saskatchewan.
Masoli looked very sharp in his preseason debut, and the fact that his former Ticats teammate Darius Ciraco is snapping him the ball at the center will only help with his transition to his new team. That said, moving the ball against this physical Winnipeg team will be beyond tough.
The Bombers had one of the most dominant defenses in CFL history last season, allowing just 287.6 yards and 13.4 points per game as they steamrolled their way to back-to-back Grey Cup titles. While they lost a few pieces in a deep secondary, they return the three most important players in their front seven — linebacker Adam Bighill and defensive ends Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat.
On the other side of the ball, the Bombers have the reigning CFL MOP at QB in Zach Collaros. Collaros does a terrific job of spreading the ball around and he should have all day to do it, thanks to a stout offensive line and a non-existent Ottawa pass rush.
Ottawa's defense wasn't quite as horrific as its offense last season but was still at the bottom of the league in most categories, and while Kwaku Boateng was signed to help apply pressure, he suffered a season-ending injury in training camp.
For most of last season, the odds would hit the board with Winnipeg as a decent-sized favorite before growing throughout the week as public money came in. Meanwhile, the Redblacks typically opened as dogs and saw their lines grow with people fading them.
However, in this Week 1 matchup, the line movement has been in the opposite direction. That has us backing the superior Winnipeg side now that their odds have dropped below double-digits.
Prediction: Blue Bombers -9.5 (-110 at bet365)
Over/Under analysis
Like all the O/U numbers this week, the totals for this game have soared with bettors hammering the Over due to the recent CFL rule changes in effect. The total hit the board at 42.5 and is now sitting at 47.5, but we're going against the line movement here.
Oddsmakers might be a tad too bullish on a Redblacks offense that finally has talent but won't have chemistry right out of the gate, especially against an elite Winnipeg defense that they were fortunate to avoid on the schedule a year ago. Keep in mind that Ottawa surrendered a league-worst 52 sacks last year and while it could have a completely different line this year, that might not translate to better.
It always takes time for offensive linemen to get used to playing next to each other and while Ucambre Williams was an All-Star with Calgary back in 2018, he'll be moving from center to left tackle. Right tackle is an even bigger question mark with Randy Richards projecting to start, but he hasn't played since 2019 and was retired until just three months ago.
That tackle situation is especially concerning when you consider just how disruptive Jefferson and Jeffcoat are coming off the edge. We're not sure if this Ottawa offense will be able to put up enough points to drag this game above the total.
In addition, one of Winnipeg's few weaknesses is at kicker with Sergio Castille gone and Marc Legghio and Ali Mourtada back to compete for the job after struggling last year. That could result in the Bombers leaving a few points on the field as well. We're leaning towards the Under here.
Prediction: Under 48 (-110 at DraftKings)
Best bet
While we have an ever-so-slight lean towards the Under on the full-game total, we're even more confident in Under 18.5 for Ottawa's team total.
Masoli is certainly an upgrade at quarterback but football is a team game and surrounded by a better team with Hamilton last year, he struggled in the season opener which also took place in Winnipeg. We mentioned that Ottawa signed Powell but he's currently injured and a 170-pound rookie running back Devonte Williams will carry the rock instead.
That means Winnipeg can focus on limiting the passing game which has been the strength of their defensive unit. It's also worth noting that IG Field is one of the toughest places for visitors to play in as the Bombers allowed just 8.9 ppg at home last year.
Pick: Redblacks team total Under 18.5 (-110 at BetRegal)
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