- Ottawa Redblacks look to continue their winning momentum.
- How will the Lions do without their starting QB?
- Calgary and Montreal need wins.
Just like the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, after a dismal week 6, we returned in week 7 and rebounded with a big win. We went 4-4 with our picks, which puts our overall record at 20-7. We now look for back-to-back perfection with our CFL Week 8 predictions.
Back-to-back is also something the Ottawa Roughriders did with a couple of OT victories two weeks in a row. They now shoot up our weekly power rankings from sixth to fourth, while the Stampeders drop from fourth to sixth. How much movement will we see after week 8? Let’s dive in.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ottawa Redblacks
Are the Redblacks really this good, or did they play out of their minds two weeks in a row? The addition of QB Dustin Crum has been a game-changer for the team, and their balanced attack has been a sight to behold. Crum has been executing plays flawlessly, with players like Devonte Williams, Ante Milanovic-Litre, and Tyrrell Pigrome supporting him with the running game.
Meanwhile, Hamilton did what many expected last week and lost to the undefeated Toronto Argos. The good news is that the Tiger-Cats match up well with the Redblacks, having beaten them eight times in a row, including when they beat Ottawa back in week 5, so I wouldn’t blame anyone leaning toward a Hamilton win. It feels like this team is waiting to get their starting QB Bo Levi Mitchell, back from injury, which could be sooner than later.
We’ll ride with the Redblack’s momentum; they just look like a different team when they play with confidence. Let it ride!
Prediction: Ottawa Redblacks
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Toronto Argos
This upcoming game will be played at a neutral site in Nova Scotia, and both teams will be facing a lively crowd. It might be beneficial for the Roughriders to play outside of Mosaic Stadium, where they’ve only won one game this season. Unfortunately, they are still reeling from the loss of QB Trevor Harris, and their offense has been struggling with backup QB Mason Fine. In fact, they only managed to score nine points against BC last week. Saskatchewan’s offense ranks eighth in the CFL in both points per game (20.8) and sacks allowed (23). However, their defense has been a saving grace, keeping the team’s season alive by holding opponents to an average of 348.8 yards per game, which is the third-best mark in the league.
Clearly, if a team can’t score points, they have no chance of beating the Toronto Argos, who currently sit at 5-0 and are the best team in the CFL. The Argos are leading the league in almost every major statistical category, including average yards per game (411.2), rushing yards per game (129.6), QBR (115.6), and points per game (37.2). Considering these factors, it’s highly unlikely that the Roughriders will pull off an upset this week. Therefore, stick with the Argos remaining undefeated.
Prediction: Toronto Argos
BC Lions at Edmonton Elks
With Vernon Adams Jr. out of the lineup, Dane Evans will lead the Lions from behind center. Evans proved himself last week, throwing for 219 yards and completing 16 out of 25 attempts after being thrust into the spotlight in the 1st quarter. Evans has experience as a starter in Hamilton last season, making him a solid choice to lead the Lions. This week, he faces a struggling Edmonton squad, which should make things easier for him.
The Lions are not just a one-man team; they are well-balanced in all aspects of the game. This will make it difficult for Edmonton, who is still searching for their first win of the season and has the worst defense in the league, having given up 185 points so far. BC is the second-best team in the CFL, with the ability to put up points and shut down the opposition’s offense. This should be an easy win for the Lions.
Prediction: BC Lions
Calgary Stampeders at Montreal Alouettes
In this upcoming football matchup, two teams have struggled with consistency this season. Despite flashes of potential, they have both failed to string together wins and sit below .500. The Calgary Stampeders have a record of 2-5, and while they have had some bad luck, their defence has been a major weak point, ranking 7th in the CFL and allowing an average of 24.8 points per game. On the other hand, their offense has shown promise, with an average of 22.2 PPG.
Montreal, led by Cody Fajardo, has struggled to put up points this season, but the team has kept games close with a bend-not-break type of defense. With Calgary’s tendency to turn the ball over, Montreal’s defence has the opportunity to make a big impact in this game. Ultimately, this matchup will come down to how well Calgary’s QB Jake Maier can execute plays and the return of all-star running back Ka’Deem Carey from injury. While Montreal has a strong defense, we predict that Calgary will finally come out on top in a close game.
Prediction: Calgary Stampeders
