Welcome back CFL Fans! Week 12 is in the history books with wins by 1st place Winnipeg and 1st place Toronto, as well as upsets by the Redblacks and the Roughriders. @TheBrysh was 2/4 last week, bringing the season total to 31/47 or 66% on straight-up wins.
This is Labour Day Classic weekend, which means sold-out insanity between the Riders and Blue Bombers. Week 13 has some interesting matchups that should cause movement in the East Division standings, as well as the @TheBrysh Power Rankings. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for week 13 in the CFL.
OTTAWA REDBLACKS @ MONTREAL ALOUETTES
The 2-8 Ottawa Redblacks travel to Montreal this week to take on the 4-6 Alouettes at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. Montreal should be well rested after enjoying a bye in week 12, the Redblacks are coming off of a win last week against the Edmonton Elks. Montreal took their last game against Ottawa 40-33, and I expect another high scoring contest between these teams. Redblacks QB Nick Arbuckle looked steady last week with 219 yards and a 66% completion rate against the Edmonton Elks. The Alouettes defense will look to harass Arbuckle and get him off his game, with pass rush from DL’s Mike Moore and Michael Wakefield . I pick the Alouettes to win this one 33-26, the over/under is 49.5, so I would bet on over.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS @ SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
The 6-5 Saskatchewan Roughriders are hosting the 1st place Winnipeg Blue Bombers Sunday afternoon in the annual Labour Day Classic. These teams have yet to meet in the 2022 regular season, they did square-off in the pre-season where the Riders took a 25-16 win. This guarantees to be the highlight of week 13 in front of a sold out crowd at Mosaic Stadium.
Last week the Roughriders upset the 2nd place BC Lions, the Riders will certainly carry their confidence into this game. Confident or not, the Riders are facing the dominant team of the entire league. Winnipeg is favoured by 4.0, look for them to cover the spread, I predict 26-18 Bombers. Whatever the outcome, this is sure to be a spectacular display between two long time rivals.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS @ HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
The 3-8 Hamilton Tiger-Cats are hosting the 1st place Toronto Argonauts on Monday. This will be the 4th and final meeting of these teams, with Toronto having a 2 wins to 1 advantage, and a 24 point differential. The Argonauts are currently on top of the East Division with a 5-5 record, but this division is still up for grabs.
The Tiger-Cats QB situation is in question, where starter Dane Evans threw 3 interceptions last week, and was replaced by backup Matthew Shilz. Argo’s QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson was solid last week with 258 yards passing and a 3:1 TD to INT ratio. Bethel-Thompson will have no shortage of targets on Labour Day, with receivers like Brandon Banks, Markeith Ambles, Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and DaVaris Daniels. Hamilton is currently favoured by 1.5 in this match, but I am going with the Argonauts 21-18.
EDMONTON ELKS @ CALGARY STAMPEDERS
The 3-8 Edmonton Elks travel to McMahon Stadium to take on the 6-4 Stampeders in Calgary. Calgary is coming off of a close loss to Winnipeg last week, but held the 1st place Bombers to within 2 points. The Edmonton Elks have been clawing their way out of the East Division basement, but I don’t think “Lady Luck” is on their side in week 13.
These teams have met twice this season with Calgary taking both victories by a total of 79-29. Edmonton’s defense is not in the same league as the Calgary offense. Whether the stamps start Bo Levi Mitchell or Jake Maier at QB, they will run circles around the Elks. The point spread on this game is 12, but I am predicting a landslide win for the Stampeders 38-21.
Written by: Jack Cameron @TheBrysh
