CFL Picks, Week 13
After 12 weeks in the CFL picks game:
Ted Clarke: 3-1 last week; 22-14 overall
Peter James: 2-2 last week; 29-11 overall
Sheri Lamb: 3-1 last week; 25-15 overall
Mark Nielsen: 3-1 last week; 25-11 overall
Eskimos (2-9) at Blue Bombers (2-9)
Today, 5 p.m. TSN
Clarke: Last week's win lifted anvil off the Esks' shoulders. They'll take the battle of bottom-feeders. Pick: Edmonton by three.
James: Neither team has been particularly inspiring this year, but for what it's worth the Bombers are at home. Pick: Bombers by one.
Lamb: Another stimulating battle between the worst teams in the league. Winnipeg takes a step closer to the top pick in the 2014 draft. Pick: Eskimos by three.
Nielsen: Quarterbacking troubles continue to plague Winnipeg. In contrast, that's one of the few positions where the Eskimos have a fair level of competency. Pick: Edmonton by nine.
Alouettes (4-7) at Tiger-Cats (5-6)
Saturday, 1 p.m. TSN
Clarke: The salty Atlantic air will work wonders for the Tabbies from Steeltown. Pick: Hamilton by 10.
James: The Tiger-Cats have a big advantage under centre and the CFL is a quarterback-driven league. Pick: Ticats by nine.
Lamb: The Tiger-Cats leave their home field in Guelph to play a home game in Moncton, N.B. Look for the Ticats to inch closer to Toronto and first place in the eastern division. Pick: Ticats by seven.
Nielsen: The Tiger-Cats came oh, so close to defeating the Stampeders last week and should have no trouble dispatching the Alouettes, particularly given Montreal's quarterbacking woes... unless Burris continues his bad habit of forcing throws. Pick: Hamilton by 10.
Argonauts (7-4) at Stampeders (9-2)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. TSN
Clarke: Stamps are 5-0 at home. Argos are much improved, but not this week. Pick: Calgary by eight.
James: The Argonauts own the best road record in the league winning four of five, but Calgary has been unbeatable at home. Pick: Stamps by six.
Lamb: Grey cup preview? Perhaps. The Stampeders are coming off a thrilling comeback win at home, while the Argonauts are on a high after an upset win at Mosaic Stadium. Should be a dandy. Pick: Stampeders by one.
Nielsen: Due to "scheduling conflicts" at Roger Centre this will be the third of four straight road games for the Argonauts. Time to move to BMO Field. The Argos overcame the Roughriders last weekend, but the Stampeders will win this one and, if they're smart, will protect Bo Levi Mitchell during the expansion draft. Pick: Calgary by seven.
Lions (7-4) at Roughriders (8-3)
Sunday, 1:30 p.m. TSN
Clarke: Injuries at key positions are plaguing both teams. Travis Lulay won't play for the Leos. Riders are without Kory Sheets and Rey Williams. Geroy Simon's closing in on the career catches record, playing at home and that could make the difference. Pick: Saskatchewan by one.
James: The Roughriders are mired in a mini-slump, but the Lions are without QB Travis Lulay and away from the friendly confines of B.C. Place. Pick: Riders by four.
Lamb: Buck Pierce gets the start and has the challenge of taking the Lions on the road into hostile territory where the once dominant Riders are on a two-game losing skid. Pick: Lions by three.
Nielsen: No sooner did the Lions straighten out their quarterback protection than Travis Lulay goes down with a shoulder injury while scoring a touchdown. But the Roughriders are the ones who really look fragile and will suffer their third straight loss. Pick: B.C. by 10.
