This week in the CFL

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This article was published 11/08/2011 (5264 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WEEK 7

EDMONTON ESKIMOS (5-1) at MONTREAL ALOUETTES (4-2)

When: Tonight, 6:30 p.m.; TV: TSN

Vegas line: Montreal by 6 1/2

Eskimos line: Edmonton is coming off its first loss of the season, a 28-16 defeat in Winnipeg. QB Ricky Ray had his worst game of the season, throwing three interceptions, and top receiver Fred Stamps suffered an abdominal injury that required emergency surgery. He’s expected to be out a month. The Eskimos are on top of the West Division.

Alouettes line: Montreal righted the ship last week by pounding the Argos at Rogers Centre, but will the crowds improve? Players have voiced displeasure with the fan base to start the season. QB Anthony Calvillo leads the league with 1,834 passing yards and 12 TD passes and looks very dangerous when given time to throw. Defensively, DE John Bowman has four sacks.

Bottom line: The Eskimos have injury issues and are in danger of dropping two in a row.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS (4-2) at SASK. ROUGHRIDERS (1-5)

When: Friday, 8 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: Calgary by 3 1/2

Stampeders line: Despite the perceived struggles the Stamps have had through the first six games, they remain just a game behind the Eskimos in the West Division. QB Henry Burris was 27-of-39 for 341 yards in a 32-20 win against Hamilton last week. Calgary has nice balance on offence; they used nine different receivers in that game.

Roughriders line: Things have gone from bad to worse in Regina, losing in underwhelming fashion in Vancouver the last time out. The Green Machine scored only 11 points against a poor Lions defence. Changes have come with the trade of veteran DE Luc Mullinder for rookie WR Dallas Baker. Silver lining in Riderville: Two other clubs have one win at this point. Not out of it yet.

Bottom line: Riders QB Darian Durant needs to be better — plain and simple.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS (1-5) at HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (3-3)

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

Vegas line: Hamilton by 7

Argonauts line: In danger of falling out of the East Division race before Labour Day, the Argos fired defensive co-ordinator Chip Garber following the 36-23 loss to Montreal last Thursday. RB Cory Boyd has not played since injuring his knee versus Winnipeg in Week 2. He should be back in the lineup. LB Kevin Eiben is out for the year with a torn pectoral muscle. QB Cleo Lemon threw for 314 yards against Montreal — a rare good sign for the Argos this season.

Ticats line: As their record indicates, Hamilton is a study of good and bad football. Saturday’s game against the Stamps saw the Ticats roll to a halftime lead, only to generate 12 yards in the third quarter and eventually lose the game. WR Dave Stala leads the CFL with six touchdowns and RB Avon Cobourne has been better than advertised, but QB Kevin Glenn needs to find another gear to get the Ticats to the next level.

Bottom line: No such thing as a must-win in Week 7… but yet here we are, Toronto.

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (5-1) at B.C. LIONS (1-5)

When: Saturday, 9 p.m. TV: TSN; Radio: CJOB

Vegas line: B.C by 1

Bombers line: How are these guys not favoured here? Winnipeg won the Surprise Bowl last week, beating Edmonton in convincing fashion. For the first time since 1987, the Bombers are 5-1 to start the season. This is due largely to a smothering defence, which leads the CFL in a number of categories, including sacks (25), interceptions (10) and fumble recoveries (eight). SB Terrence Edwards tops the club with five TD catches.

Lions line: The Lions also have reason to celebrate, finally breaking their goose egg in the win column with a 24-11 win over Saskatchewan. The Lions are hopeful veteran SB Arland Bruce will be in the lineup. He’ll join Geroy Simon and Shawn Gore in the receiving corps, making them one of the more dangerous offences in the league.

Bottom line: Winnipeg is better, but some like the Lions as the upset special here.

— Adam Wazny

THE PICKS

The Free Press has once again assembled a panel this season to offer their fearless predictions every week. Joining us this year are CJOB’s Bob Irving and from the Free Press sports editor Steve Lyons, columnist Gary Lawless, lead football writer Paul Wiecek and reporter Adam Wazny.

Lawless:

Montreal, Calgary, Hamilton, B.C.

LAST WEEK (OVERALL)

3-1 (15-9)

Irving:

Montreal, Calgary, Hamilton, Winnipeg

LAST WEEK (OVERALL):

3-1 (12-12)

Wiecek:

Montreal, Calgary, Hamilton, Winnipeg

LAST WEEK (OVERALL):

4-0 (12-12)

Lyons:

Montreal, Saskatchewan, Hamilton, B.C.

LAST WEEK (OVERALL):

4-0 (15-9)

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Wazny:

Montreal, Calgary, Hamilton, Winnipeg

LAST WEEK (OVERALL):

4-0 (15-9)