WEEK 19 IN THE CFL

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/11/2010 (5450 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS (12-5) at WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (4-13)

When: Tonight, 7 p.m. TV: TSN Radio: CJOB

Vegas line: Calgary -3

Stamps’ line: Calgary is home and cooled for the playoffs, looking at hosting the West Division final in two weeks. Everyone seems to be on board with QB Henry Burris getting the MVP award. His 37 TD passes ARE tops in the loop. Receivers Nik Lewis and Romby Bryant have 23 TDs between them.

Bombers’ line: Winnipeg is out of the post-season for the second straight year. Here’s a sobering stat — the Bombers have only won 11 times in the last 35 games. Rookie QB Joey Elliot will make his second straight start. SB Terrence Edwards has 1,325 yards receiving and RB Fred Reid has 1,348 yards rushing. Winnipeg is 4-4 at home.

B.C. LIONS (7-10) at HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (9-8)

When: Saturday, 1 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: B.C. -4

Lions’ line: Strange line — Vegas obviously likes the Lions’ hunger in this one. Simple math for the Orange Leos to make the playoffs this weekend — beat the Ticats and hope the Eskimos lose or tie in Regina. Hamilton won the last meeting between the clubs.

Ticats’ line: The Tiger-Cats will host the East Division semifinal in one week. They might go to the backups after the half, as well. QB Kevin Glenn has a 2:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Hamilton is only 2-5 versus the West. The defence has forced a league-best 24 fumbles.

EDMONTON ESKIMOS (7-10) at SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (9-8)

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

Vegas line: Saskatchewan -1

Eskimos’ line: The other team with something to play for has an easier path to the post-season. Because they hold the tiebreaker, Edmonton gets in with a Lions loss — an outcome they will know before kickoff. The Eskimos are 5-2 in their last seven. The reports on QB Ricky Ray (rib cage) are mixed. He has been throwing but no one seems sure of what his game status is.

Riders’ line: Not really a must-win game for the Riders but after losing four straight, the Green and White have something to play for. The Riders are 6-2 at Mosaic (but they’ve dropped the last two). QB Darian Durant threw three picks against the Lions last week.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS (8-9) at MONTREAL ALOUETTES (12-5)

When: Sunday, 3 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: Montreal -7

Argos’ line: Neither team can move up or down in the standings, so this one could be a battle of club depth before halftime. The Argos are expected to rest a number of key guys, including SB Jermaine Copeland and RB Cory Boyd. Jim Barker is easily coach of the year.

Als’ line: Montreal will host the East final in two weeks, so consider this an extended walk-through for the reigning Grey Cup champs. Jamal Richardson leads all receivers with 97 catches. RB Avon Colbourne is 44 yards short of 1,000. Montreal, who beat the Argos 37-30 at Rogers Centre last week, is 7-1 at home.

THE PICKS

Bob Irving, CJOB: Winnipeg, B.C., Saskatchewan, Montreal

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

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

Adam Wazny, Free Press: Calgary, Hamilton, Saskatchewan, Montreal

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

Last week (overall): Irving: 4-0 (40-28); Tait: 3-1 (39-29); Turner: 3-1 (39-29); Wazny: 3-1 (40-28); Zalnasky: 3-1 (38-30).

— Adam Wazny