CFL Betting Notes – Week 15
By David Schwab
The CFL is closing in on the start of this year’s playoffs heading into Week 15 of the regular season as teams continue to jockey for position in their quest to win this season’s Grey Cup title. Defending champion Calgary strengthened its grip on the West Division title with last Friday’s 25-23 squeaker over Winnipeg, but it came nowhere close to covering against the spread as an 8 ½-point road favorite.
Saturday’s CFL slate featured a double-header of action starting with Edmonton getting by British Columbia 29-23, but the Eskimos could not cover as 12-point favorites at home. The upsets continued with Toronto carving-out a key 35-26 victory against Ottawa as a 2 ½-point road underdog. Week 14 closed things out with Saskatchewan doubling-up its straight-up wins for the year with a 33-21 victory against Montreal as a 2 ½-point home underdog.
Saturday, Oct. 3
Edmonton Eskimos (9-4 SU, 8-5 ATS) vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-9 SU, 5-7-1 ATS)
Point-spread: Edmonton -5 ½
Total: 46 ½
Game Overview
Edmonton remains one game off the pace in the West following its win against the Lions, which was its third in a row SU. The Eskimos continue to boast the stingiest defense in the CFL in points allowed (18.3) and their offense is putting up an average of 25.1 points a game. Wide Receiver Derel Walker pulled-in eight receptions for 121 yards and a score in last week’s win.
The Blue Bombers have posted just one SU victory in their last seven games, but they have covered ATS in two of their last three outings. The total has gone OVER in three of their last four games while giving-up an average of 26 points even with a 22-7 Week 12 win against Saskatchewan included in this same stretch. Winnipeg is 3-6-2 ATS in its last 11 home games.
Betting Trends
Edmonton is 5-12 SU in its last 17 road games against Winnipeg and the total has stayed UNDER in 12 of the last 17 meetings here.
Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-11 SU, 4-9 ATS) vs. British Columbia Lions (4-8 SU, 6-6 ATS)
Point-spread: BC -3
Total: 51 ½
Game Overview
Saskatchewan has just two SU wins all season long; however it comes into this West Division rivalry 2-2 both SU and ATS in its last four games. Kevin Glenn completed just 45.2 of his 31 attempts in Sunday’s win for 212 yards and a score, but Jerome Messam did a good job running the ball with 111 yards rushing and a score on 15 attempts.
The Lions have just one SU win in their last six games, but they are 3-1 ATS in their last four contests. Jonathon Jennings did a good job throwing the ball in the loss to Edmonton last week with 281 yards passing and two touchdown throws, but BC’s ground game went nowhere with just 37 total rushing yards on 17 carries.
Betting Trends
BC won two previous meetings this season both SU and ATS. It is now 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings overall and 5-2 ATS in its last seven home games against the Roughriders. The total has stayed UNDER in six of the last seven meetings in BC.