(2-1) Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ (1-2) Saskatchewan Roughriders Thursday 9:00 pm ET
The Tiger-Cats have had the most surprising start out of any team to me so far. Jeremiah Masoli is an early Eastern M.O.P candidate and it looks like the back half of last season for Hamilton was no fluke. On the other end, the Riders have had maybe the most disappointing start to the season with how much hype there was surrounding the team before 2018 got underway. Their offensive line and quarterback play are unacceptable for a team that forced 12 two-and-outs on the defensive side of the ball against Montreal last week. The offence is letting the defense down and it is getting embarrassing. Brandon Bridge is going to need a big game this week if the Riders have any chance and the line is going to have to figure out a way to get him more time. I just don’t think that that is going to happen.
Prediction: Tiger-Cats win 33-25
(1-1) Ottawa REDBLACKS @ (1-2) Montreal Alouettes Friday 5:30pm ET
The REDBLACKS had a tough battle with the Calgary Stampeders last week and although they fought hard the Stamps defense was just a little too much for Ottawa. This should be a good way to bounce back as the Alouettes are still, in my opinion, the worst team in the CFL. I do have to give them Al’s credit for the fact that they were able to out-prepare the Riders last week. They played their best game in almost a full calendar year and were able to get the victory. Jeff Mathews is taking first-team reps for the Als this week and I just don’t think himself or anyone else on Montreal will have the ability to pull off a second straight win this week.
Prediction: REDBLACKS win 34-18
(2-1) Edmonton Eskimos @ (0-2) Toronto Argonauts Saturday 3:30pm ET
The Eskimos got back in the win column thanks to an offensive explosion against B.C last week. Mike Reilly threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns and C.J Gable had an outstanding game rushing for 126 yards and chipping in a touchdown of his own. I think that success could continue this week against the only winless team in the CFL, the Toronto Argonauts. The Argos are starting James Franklin this week and for the foreseeable future with Ricky Ray out with a neck injury and I don’t know if he will be able to get past a good Eskimos defense in his first start with the double blue. Franklin is very skilled though, and I think it will be closer than some might think.
Prediction: Eskimos win 29-21
(1-1) B.C. Lions @ (1-2) Winnipeg Blue Bombers
I think this one will be the game of the week. the Lions jumped out to an early 14-2 lead in the second quarter last week against Edmonton before they fell apart and gave up four straight touchdowns. If B.C can put a whole game together like they did in the first quarter they would be in business. Matt Nichols has been pulled off the six-game injured list but as of now, I am not sure who will start for Winnipeg. The Bombers fell to a very good Ti-Cats team last week. I don’t think the Lions are on the same level as Hamilton and at home, I give the advantage to the Bombers by a slim margin no matter who is starting at QB.
Prediction: Bombers win 31-28
This week has the potential to see two or three very tight games. It all depends on how the Riders and Argos come out to play. If we see a repeat of their last couple of games then those games could be blowouts too. I think both squads have potential to be good football teams but they have to figure it out on the field. Thanks for reading.