WEEK 17 IN THE CFL

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/10/2010 (5789 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MONTREAL ALOUETTES (11-4) at HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (8-7)

When: Tonight, 6 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: Montreal -2.5

Alouettes line: Montreal is coming off a 22-19 win over the Bombers last week. QB Anthony Calvillo has thrown for 4,169 yards (fourth in the CFL) and his completion percentage (67.5) leads the league. DE John Bowman has 11 sacks and four forced fumbles. The defence has allowed a CFL-low 375 points.

Tiger-Cats line: The Ticats are a strong 6-3 against division opponents, but only 4-3 at Ivor Wynne Stadium. The Hamilton defence has a league-best 21 fumble recoveries. SB Arland Bruce III is back on top of the receiver list with 85 catches and 1,291 yards.

Bottom line: With a win here, Hamilton can give the Alouettes something to think about come November.

B.C. LIONS (5-10) at CALGARY STAMPEDERS (11-4)

When: Tonight, 9 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: Calgary -9.5

Lions line: The Leos are on a strange two-game losing streak, having lost both in overtime. QB Travis Lulay has a higher completion percentage than the guy he replaced, Casey Printers, but he only has five TD passes compared to Printers’ 10. The B.C run defence is allowing 144 yards a game. The Lions beat the Stamps 29-10 in Calgary the last time in Cowtown.

Stamps line: Calgary leads the league in many statistical categories, including defence (335 yards allowed per game), offence (430 yards per contest) and most points scored (505, including a CFL-best 51 touchdowns). QB Henry Burris is third in yards (4,225) and first in TD passes (31).

Bottom line: Don’t expect the Lions to surprise the Stamps at home again.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS (7-8) at WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (4-11)

When: Saturday, 3 p.m. TV: TSN Radio: CJOB

Vegas line: Winnipeg -5.5

Argos line: The Argos can still make a play for a home playoff game. They need to finish ahead of the Tiger-Cats, though. The Argos are a respectable 3-4 on the road. One of those wins was a 36-34 win against the Blue and Gold in Week 2. Toronto’s offence has put up only 286 points, an average of 19 a game. QB Cleo Lemon is still the starter, shockingly.

Bombers line: Winnipeg is out of the East division playoff picture, but can still make a play for the West crossover. The Bombers are 1-8 versus East division opponents. RB Fred Reid is just 55 yards behind Argos RB Cory Boyd for the rushing title. SB Terrence Edwards is the only Bombers receiver over 1,000 yards. The Bombers have just two wins in their last 11 games.

Bottom line: Is it possible Winnipeg can lose three times to the Argos?

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (9-6) at EDMONTON ESKIMOS (5-10)

When: Saturday, 6 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: Saskatchewan -2.5

Riders line: The Riders have lost two in a row — both at home — and are only 3-4 away from Regina this season. Saskatchewan has clinched second in the West division. They still have an outside chance at first. RB Wes Cates leads all players with 15 TDs. Heading into the weekend, the Riders are the only team with two 1,000-yard receivers, Andy Fantuz and Weston Dressler.

Eskimos line: Edmonton is on a roll, having won three of its last four. QB Ricky Ray has thrown only 10 TD passes. SB Fred Stamps has 1,046 yards receiving. The Eskimos have given up a league-high 477 points and have turned the ball over 52 times. The defence is allowing 400 yards per game.

Bottom line: If Edmonton holds serve at home, they’ll be in the playoffs. Amazing.

THE PICKS

Bob Irving, CJOB: Hamilton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan

Ed Tait, Free Press: Montreal, Calgary, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan

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Randy Turner, Free Press: Montreal, Calgary, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan

Adam Wazny, Free Press: Montreal, Calgary, Winnipeg, Edmonton

Mitch Zalnasky, CJOB: Hamilton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan

Last week (overall): Irving: 1-3 (35-25); Tait: 4-0 (36-24); Turner: 2-2 (36-24); Wazny: 2-2 (36-24); Zalnasky: 2-2 (34-26).

— Adam Wazny