- Winnipeg is looking for revenge on their home tundra.
- Can the Stamps give T.O. their first loss?
- It’s the battle of the QBs when Ottawa visits Saskatchewan.
Last week, our picks didn’t quite go as planned, and we ended up with a 2-2 record. This brings our overall score to 22-9, which is still pretty impressive. The Ottawa Redblacks were on a roll, so we wanted to run with the hot team, but they hit a snag in their game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in week 8. We also predicted that the Calgary Stampeders would beat the Montreal Alouettes, but unfortunately, QB Jake Maier didn’t perform as well as we had hoped. However, we’re not dwelling on the past and are looking forward to our CFL week 9 predictions.
Regarding our power rankings, the Montreal Alouettes have moved to fourth, while the Ottawa Redblacks have slipped to sixth. It’s amazing how much a single win or loss can affect a team’s standing, especially in the middle of the pack.
CFL Week 9 Predictions
BC Lions at Winnipeg Blue Bombers
In week 3, the BC Lions managed to defeat the Bombers on their home turf, but now in week 9, Winnipeg is primed and ready for revenge. The good news for the Peg is that they’ve had a week’s break, which historically has been an advantage for returning teams, boasting an impressive 8-1 record. Meanwhile, the Lions are facing a shortened week and are relying on their backup quarterback Dane Evans to perform well enough to keep the game within reach.
It remains to be seen what strategy the Bombers will employ to contend with the CFL’s top defensive team. Will they add an extra blocker to contain Mathiew Betts? The Bombers could have a chance if they can provide Zack Collaros with enough time. With receiver Kenny Lawler back in the lineup, they have a potential weapon to help them gain the field position required for scoring – an area where they struggled in their previous encounter.
Although BC’s defense is scary, their offense still raises questions. While Evans is a decent backup, he has been known to make poor decisions under pressure that leads to turnovers, which the Bombers are bound to exploit.
No matter who’s leading the charge for the Lions, they always pose a serious challenge to their opponents. However, the Bombers have had ample time to strategize and prepare for this matchup. This game promises to be an intense battle, but we believe Winnipeg will narrowly secure the victory.
Prediction: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Toronto Argos at Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are coming off a poor showing last Sunday, and things don’t get easier in week 9 when they face the undefeated Toronto Argos. The Stamps are needing their quarterback, Jake Maier, to find some consistency and stop turning the ball over, while their once elite running game has been very pedestrian, with only 56 rushing yards per game. That will be difficult against an Argos defense that leads the CFL with 14 interceptions and allows the second-fewest yards per rush attempt (3.9).
Toronto has been dominant on both sides of the ball. Their offense clicks and leads the league in yards per play (7.19) and points per game (36.2), and that is due to how well their QB Chad Kelly has been spreading the ball around behind a stellar offensive line.
At some point, the Argos will lose a game, but the numbers don’t favour Calgary as the team that does it.
Prediction: Toronto Argos
Montreal Alouettes at Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Last week, the Montreal Alouettes broke their three-game losing streak with a win against the Calgary Stampeders. However, the win wasn’t pretty as they relied heavily on their kicker David Cote’s seven field goals. Meanwhile, Hamilton also comes into this game off a win against the Redblacks, but with the return of starting QB Bo Levi Mitchell being short-lived due to a left leg fracture, rookie backup QB Taylor Powell will be stepping in for the Tiger-Cats.
With both offenses struggling lately, this game may become a defensive battle, and Alouette’s 4th ranked defense in the league may give them the edge. They have allowed an average of 22.2 PPG, given up 5.4 yards per rush, and allowed 99.6 rushing yards per contest this year.
Prediction: Montreal Alouettes
Ottawa Redblacks at Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders haven’t been the same since they lost their starting QB, Trevor Harris. Their offense is clearly missing him, and second-stringer Mason Fine has just been that, fine, not great. He has put up nearly 600 passing yards in his last two starts but has yet to find the endzone and to make matters worse. He has thrown four interceptions in the same span of time.
Meanwhile, Ottawa has been staying alive with QB Dustin Crum, who has shown flashes of brilliance until he was held scoreless last week. But he did put up 82 rushing yards, and although he couldn’t throw for a touchdown in week 8, he does have a bullet of an arm that could make life difficult for Saskatchewan’s defense.
If this will be a battle of the quarterbacks, we will ride with Crum.
Prediction: Ottawa Redblacks
