Tiger-Cats vs Blue Bombers Week 1 Picks and Predictions: CFL Is Back In Action After 2020 Hiatus

The last time Winnipeg and Hamilton — or anyone in the CFL — played a game was the 2019 Grey Cup. The Blue Bombers covered (and won outright) in that game as slight underdogs... and we like them to cover again in the 2021 season opener.

Aug 4, 2021 • 13:17 ET • 4 min read
Zach Collaros Winnipeg Blue Bombers CFL
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

The CFL returns with a bang as the defending Grey Cup champions from 2019, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, host the betting favorites to win it all this year, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. 

The Tiger-Cats came up just short in 2019 after a franchise-record 15-3 season, falling to the Blue Bombers in the Grey Cup. Will the revenge factor give the Ti-Cats the edge they need to cover as road favorites or do the Bombers have value as a home dog?

Check out our CFL free picks and predictions for Tiger-Cats vs. Blue Bombers on Thursday, August 5, and find out.

Tiger-Cats vs Blue Bombers game info

Location: IG Field, Winnipeg, MB
Date: Thursday, August 5, 2021
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: TSN

Tiger-Cats vs Blue Bombers odds

Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.

Compare CFL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Check out the full line movement for this game

Tiger-Cats at Blue Bombers betting preview

Weather

Key injuries

Tiger-Cats: Bralon Anderson WR (Questionable), Don Jackson RB (Questionable), DeVier Posey WR (Out), Ted Laurent DL (Out), Chris Van Zeyl OT (Out).
Blue Bombers: Willie Jefferson DL (Questionable), Andrew Harris RB (Out), Darvin Adams WR (Out), Kyrie Wilson LB (Out).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.

Betting trend to know

CFL Underdogs are 48-26-2 ATS (64.9 percent) between Weeks 1-4 of the season. Find more CFL betting trends for Tiger-Cats vs. Blue Bombers.

Against the spread (ATS) pick

The last time these teams met was the last CFL game played — in November 2019 with the 107th Grey Cup on the line. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers got out to an early lead and never looked back in a 33-12 victory as four-point underdogs for their first championship since 1990.

The Tiger-Cats get a chance at revenge right away. But someone missing in the Grey Cup will be back — quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. This will be Masoli’s first game action since he suffered a torn ACL against the Blue Bombers on July 26, 2019.

Masoli will work the ball to 2019 Most Outstanding Player Brandon Banks, while David Ungerer and Jaelon Acklin make this a scary receiving trio.

On the other side, QB Zach Collaros won every game he started for the Blue Bombers in 2019, including three postseason wins on the road. He will be missing two of his big weapons in running back Andrew Harris and wideout Darvin Adams, but the Bombers have capable backups in Brady Oliveira and Johnny Augustine.

The Bombers are at home in the first CFL game in almost two years. They have a defense capable of making a team one-dimensional on offense, a balanced offense, and are getting more than a field goal.

Underdogs early in CFL seasons have been a solid bet — and that should be the story here.

PREDICTION: Blue Bombers +3.5 (-110)

Over/Under pick

The total for this game is on the board at 51 and that just feels a little high for literally the first CFL being played since these two teams met in the Grey Cup in 2019. The total in that contest was 52, with the game falling well below the number — and that could happen again here. 

The Tiger-Cats led the CFL in points against in 2019, yielding just 19.1 points per game and despite the high-flying offense they were one of the better Under bets in the CFL that season, going 13-7. The Bombers weren’t a great Under bet, but no one ran the ball more than them in 2019 and that shouldn’t change this season.

But maybe more important than all that will be rust. No preseason games have been played, so it could take a few weeks for offenses to find their footing this season. Bet the Under.

PREDICTION: Under 51 (-110)

Tiger-Cats vs Blue Bombers betting card

  • Blue Bombers +3.5 (-110)
  • Under 51 (-110)

Picks made on 8/4/2021 at 1:47 p.m. ET

CFL parlays

Did you know that if you parlayed this week’s CFL Tiger-Cats vs. Blue Bombers picks, you could win $26.45 on a $10 bet?

Use our CFL parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.

Where can I bet on the CFL?

You can bet on CFL odds at most online and casino sportsbooks, including CFL moneylines, spreads, Over/Under totals, and CFL prop odds. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on CFL odds in your area.

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