CFL Week 4 Preview and Predictions

Week 3 saw a couple of close games and a couple of blowouts too. I went 3-1 straight up and 2-2 against the spread last week, I am now 8-3 in both categories this season. Three weeks in we are starting to see some teams separate into the usual top, middle and bottom tiers. I’d argue that Winnipeg, Hamilton, and Edmonton are the top tier, Calgary, Ottawa, and Saskatchewan are somewhere in the middle and B.C, despite their record, might be there too, while Montreal and Toronto are once again on the bottom this season. This week has three intriguing matchups and one that should be a lock-in. Let’s take a look at week 4. 

(3-0) Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ (0-2) Montreal Alouettes Thursday 7:00pm ET 

The Tiger-Cats look really good so far, but two of their wins have been against Toronto and Montreal and they had a close game against the Riders who had to put a backup QB in, three plays into the game. I think the Ti-Cats are easily the class of the East but it will be interesting to see how their fair against some of the beasts out West. Last week they methodically dominated Montreal and wore down the defence expect more of the same this week. For Montreal, I honestly think they show flashes of being a good football team. I don’t hate their defence but they just can’t put it all together for a full 60. I don’t see how the Ti-Cats won’t be 4-0 after this week. 

Prediction: Tiger-Cats win 38-17 

(2-0) Winnipeg Blue Bombers @ (2-0) Ottawa Redblacks Friday 7:30 pm ET 

This has all the makings of a possible shoot out. Winnipeg has the ability to put up big points on offence and Ottawa has already this year. Winnipeg looked composed and methodical against Edmonton last week but I would argue that without a bunch of Edmonton penalties early, the Bombers may have lost that game. None the less the Bombers are the final undefeated team in the West and have played very well all year. Matt Nichols needs to keep spreading the ball and around and maybe hit Lucky Whitehead a couple more times this week and they could be in good shape. For Ottawa, their defence has given up a lot of points and will need to lock it down against Winnipeg. Their offence has looked world class with new starting QB Dominique Davis if they can keep it up this should be a great game on Friday, but I see Winnipeg pulling out a late victory in a barn burner. 

Prediction: Blue Bombers win 35-32 

(0-3) B.C. Lions @ (0-2) Toronto Argonauts Saturday 7:00pm ET 

The Lions have had the lead for quite a bit of time in their three losses. They were ahead at half against Edmonton and Winnipeg and Calgary mounted a massive 11 point comeback late to beat them last week. There are some positives for this Lions team but they have to learn how to play a full 60 minutes. This week they get to take on an Argo’s team that just doesn’t look very good, plain and simple. Toronto will make a change at QB due to James Franklin going on the 

6-game injured list with a hamstring injury. McLeod Bethel-Thompson will start and showed some signs last season of being a good QB. The change under centre may give Toronto a bit of a spark this week but I don’t think it will be enough to get them the win. 

Prediction: Lions win 28-20 

(1-1) Calgary Stampeders @ (1-2) Saskatchewan Roughriders Saturday 10:00 pm ET 

Stamps fans hold their collective breaths as they await the word of Bo Levi Mitchell’s health. He hasn’t practiced all week with a pectoral injury and is awaiting a second opinion to see if he can go this week. If not, Nick Arbuckle showed that he is a capable backup after leading the Stamps to a comeback victory over B.C. last week. The Stamps don’t seem like their typical dominant self from years previous but they are still not to be taken lightly even if they start their backup QB. The Riders got their first win of the season in dominant fashion last week over Toronto. Cody Fajardo looks like the real deal so far and Kyran Moore and William Powell have played very well with all three players in the top three in terms of yards in their respective categories. I think that the Riders continue the momentum at home this week and take down their bitter rivals. 

Prediction: Roughriders win 30-24 

Point Spread Betting Odds (betMGM) 

Season record 8-3, 2-2 last week Hamilton @ Montreal: Take Hamilton -12.5 Winnipeg @ Ottawa: Take Winnipeg +4 all day B.C. @ Toronto: Take B.C. -7 Calgary @ Saskatchewan: Take Saskatchewan -3.5 

This week could show some team’s true colours especially the Riders with Fajardo under centre, and Ottawa who could go 3-0 and keep pace with Hamilton if they can take down the Bombers. There should be two or three really close games, I can’t wait. Thanks for reading and make sure to check out the Squib Kick Radio Podcast for all things football!