CFL Week 2 Preview and Predictions

Well, week one of the CFL season certainly surprised me. I did not see the Elks being that bad, and I thought the Stamps would certainly pull one off at home. Instead, I went 1-3 straight up and 2-2 against the spread in week 1. I expect a bounce-back week after seeing what these teams have to offer. Let’s take a look at who I think will win in week 2. 

(0-1) BC Lions @ (0-1) Calgary Stampeders Thursday 9:30pm ET 

The Lions almost came all the way back from a 31-0 deficit against the Riders last week, but it looks like Micheal Reilly will once again be sidelined, at least to start the game, with an elbow injury, and Canadian Nathan Rourke will get the start. Calgary lost a couple of leads on their way to a loss against Toronto last week. Calgary had 41 seconds to put a field goal drive to tie the game late, but uncharacteristically, Bo-Levi Mitchell threw an interception on the first throw of the drive. That’s a game that Calgary has found a way to win over the past decade. I expect a bounce back from the Stamps.

Prediction: Stampeders win 26-22

(1-0) Toronto Argonauts @ (1-0) Winnipeg Blue Bombers Friday 8:30pm ET 

The Argo’s had a great first week and looked pretty good on both sides of the ball. McLeod Bethel-Thompson looked good in the starting role and will be under center again against the Bombers. Toronto is in tough against Winnipeg, but I think they will keep it close. Winnipeg looked dominant defensively in week 1 against Hamilton. Darwin Adams and Andrew Harris are still not practicing as of Tuesday, so that it may be a little bit slow offensively for the Bombers once again in week 2. But wow, did Brady Olivera impress in place of Harris in week 1. I expect Winnipeg to go 2-0 to start the season. 

Prediction: Blue Bombers win 27-21

(0-0) Montreal Alouettes @ (0-1) Edmonton Elks Saturday 7:00pm ET 

We finally get to see this year’s version of the Alouettes after fun and surprising season from them in 2019. Vernon Adams is back, and we will see if he can continue from his breakout season after a year off. I really like this Montreal team, and I could see them competing for the top spot in the East. I had Edmonton listed as a dark horse in the West this year, but wow, was that game tough to watch last week. Edmonton dominated Ottawa in the stats department but couldn’t finish off drives, and it cost them the win. I think they will be better in week 2, but I’m giving the slight edge to Montreal. 

Prediction: Alouettes win 23-18

(0-1) Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ (1-0) Saskatchewan Roughriders Saturday 10:00pm ET 

Hamilton looked surprisingly bad offensively in week one. It looks as though their offensive line will be more healthy for week 2, which I’m sure will make Jeremiah Masoli very happy. I expect better play from Hamilton this week, and it should be an excellent game. If Saskatchewan can come out as they did in game one and continue the momentum for the full game, they will be tough to beat any week. We will see if they learned their lesson from letting off the gas against BC. They need a full four quarters to beat an outstanding Hamilton team that will be hungry. I think they have it in them.

Prediction: Roughriders win 30-27

Week 2 Betting odds: (According to BetRegal as of Aug 14) 

BC @ CGY: Take CGY -1.5 

TOR @ WPG: Take TOR +8

MTL @ EDM: Take MTL +1.5 

HAM @ SSK: Take SSK -1.5

It was tough to predict week 1 because of the long layoff, but after this week, we should start to see some patterns in each team. I think there will be some excellent matchups in week 2, and I can’t wait for it to get started tomorrow. Thanks for reading!