CFL Week 7 Preview and Predictions

Last week went almost as I predicted in the CFL. I went 4-0 on straight up picks to take me to 13-6 on the season but I truly thought Winnipeg and Toronto would be a bit tighter of a game. This week there is a heavyweight matchup in each division and we may see Johnny Football in a regular season game for the first time. Let’s take a look at how I see week 7 playing out.

(3-2) Edmonton Eskimos @ (1-4) Montreal Alouettes Thursday 7:30pm ET

The Esks got a big win against Toronto two weeks ago winning by just a single point. Now they have had a bye week to work on some things and should come out firing against the lowly Alouettes. Montreal has scored the least points in the league and also given up the most. The second stat I attribute to the offense never being on the field. I actually don’t mind the Al’s defense but they are always playing and get worn down. Montreal will have a new look offense this week with Vernon Adams Jr. starting and Johnny Manziel looking to get into the game as well. Adarius Bowman will not play this week. The offensive line and QB play should be better this week for Montreal but I don’t see it helping much against one of the leagues better teams. the Alouettes might surprise some people but I don’t think they will win

Prediction: Eskimos win 29-18

(1-4) Toronto Argonauts @ (3-3) Winnipeg Blue Bombers Friday 8:30pm ET

These two teams face off for the second time in two weeks. The Bombers walked all over the Argos last week thanks in large part to a career game from Andrew Harris on the ground. You can look for a steady dose of Harris again this week from the Bombers and he should have more success. If you are playing fantasy this week he is a must have at home. The Argos just couldn’t seem to get it togetheroffenseence last week and I feel James Wilder Jr. still lacks touches. Wilder Jr. and newly acquired Dexter McCluster were both injured at practice on Wednesday and there is no word if they will be good to go on Friday or not. Without their star back I see no reason to pick the Argos this week and even if he does play I feel he has been too under utilized for me to take them over the Bombers in Winnipeg.

Prediction: Bombers win 34-24

(3-2) Ottawa REDBLACKS @ (2-3) Hamilton Tiger-Cats Saturday 4:00pm ET

It looks like these two teams will battle it out for the East Division crown this year with Toronto off to a rocky start. Ottawa has the better defence but Hamilton can put up points when Jeremiah Masoli is on his game. If Calgary and Saskatchewan weren’t playing this week I would call this one the game of the week. Ottawa looks to build off a big comeback win against B.C last week and Hamilton looks to get back in the win column after two straight losses to Saskatchewan. This game is a toss up but my gut tells me Hamilton will not lose two in a row at home and three in a row. I think Masoli will have a big game after his team showed faith in him by trading Manziel this week and he will lead the Ti-Cats to victory.

Prediction: Tiger-Cats win 31-28

(5-0) Calgary Stampeders @ (3-2) Saskatchewan Roughriders Saturday 9:00pm ET

I will call this a heavyweight match up because the two best defences in the league are matching up. Calgary comes in on a five game heater to start the season and the Riders have won two in a row. When these two teams get together all bets are off no matter what each teams record is. Bo-Levi Mitchell had a bit of trouble against an attacking Alouettes defence last week and now against one of the best pass rushes in the league he could find himself knocked down quite a few times again in week 7. The key to a Stamps win will be stopping the run early and forcing Brandon Bridge to pass. Bridge looked great last week in the second half but this Stamps defence is a completely different beast. For the Riders they will have to stop Don Jackson early and find a way to keep the Stamps defence on their heels. This game could come down to the final possession but I see the Stamps taking the first of three meetings this year based solely on Brandon Bridge not being able to rise to the occasion.

Prediction: Stamps win 23-20

There should be a couple of great divisional matchups this week in the CFL. Both Hamilton vs Ottawa and Calgary @ Saskatchewan could shape up to be classics. Toronto should have a bounce back game and make their battle with Winnipeg competitive and Johnny Manziel going to the Alouettes may finally put some butts in the seats in Montreal. Thanks for reading!