CFL WEEK 16: PREDICTIONS

Welcome back CFL Fans! Week 15 is in the history books and @TheBrysh was blanked 0/3 last week, that brings the season total to 37/58 or 64%. Now let’s have a look at the matchups going into Week 16, @TheBrysh is hard at work calculating the predictions. There are some very relevant games this week which could shape the East Division Standings. The Calgary Stampeders and the BC Lions are going at it, trying to gain a foothold on 2nd place in the West Division. It’s another compressed week, with only 3 games scheduled, let’s see what the predictions look like!

Disagree? Comment and post your picks! Join the CFL Fans Group at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12670386/

CFL Week 16

Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ Montreal Alouettes (-3.5)

The 4-9 Hamilton Tiger-Cats travel to Montreal this week, to take on the 5-7 Alouettes. The Tiger-Cats are coming off of a surprise, upset win over the 1st place Blue Bombers 48-31. I personally was not convinced of the gravity of this final score, as the Bombers appeared quite “relaxed”. Montreal is coming off of a bye week, and will be ready to face off with the Tiger-Cats for the 3rd time this season. These teams have split their previous encounters at 1 win each, both were close contests. Hamilton QB Dane Evans had a career game last week, but doesn’t have the consistence of Montreal QB Trevor Harris. This should be a close game, but I see the Alouettes taking early control to win 25-20.

HAMILTON, ON – JULY 28: Don Jackson #5 of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats scores a touchdown against the Montreal Alouettes during the third quarter at Tim Hortons Field on July 28, 2022 in Hamilton, Canada. (Photo by John E. Sokolowski/Getty Images)

Toronto Argonauts (-2.5) @ Ottawa Redblacks

The last place 3-9 Ottawa Redblacks are hosting their 1st place divisional rival Toronto Argonauts this week. The Argonauts are on a 3 game winning streak, including a 24-19 win over the Redblacks in Week 14. In that game, Toronto established early dominance in the passing game with QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson gaining 365 yards with a 69% completion rate. Ottawa has the potential to assert command with a strong ground game. If RB Devonté Williams puts in a 100 yard performance, and the Redblacks control the game clock, there could be an upset in the making. I will play this one safe though, and go with an Argonauts victory 38-24.

OTTAWA, ON – SEPTEMBER 10: Toronto Argonauts wide receiver Brandon Banks (16) looks to evade Ottawa Redblacks defensive back Brandin Dandridge (37) during Canadian Football League action between the Toronto Argonauts and Ottawa Redblacks on September 10, 2022, at TD Place at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Calgary Stampeders @ BC Lions (-1.0)

The 3rd place 8-5 Calgary Stampeders are visiting the 2nd place 9-3 BC Lions, in a rematch of their Week 15 game. The previous game was a hard fought battle between two of the strongest teams in the entire CFL, with BC taking an overtime win 31-29. The Lions QB Vernon Adams had a great game with 294 yards passing and a 78% completion rate, but failed to find the end zone. The Stampeders QB Jake Maier also had an impressive outing with over 300 yards and 3 passing TD’s. Both teams have solid running games with RB’s James Butler and Ka’Deem Carey for BC and Calgary respectively. Calgary DL’s Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, Mike Rose and Derek Wiggan may hold the deciding advantage if they apply enough pressure on Adams. The oddsmakers favour the Lions, but I am expecting a Stampeders UPSET win this week 32-31.