CFL Picks, Week 12
After 11 weeks in the CFL picks game:
Ted Clarke: 2-2 last week; 19-13 overall
Peter James: 3-1 last week; 27-9 overall
Sheri Lamb: 1-3 last week; 22-14 overall
Mark Nielsen: 1-3 last week; 22-10 overall
Tiger-Cats (5-5) at Stampeders (8-2)
Tonight, 6 p.m. TSN
Clarke: Henry Burris is one of the best chuckers in the CFL and he's up against his old mates, but the Stamps have first place in sight and won't let this one slip away. Pick: Calgary by eight.
James: The Tiger-Cats run defence has been sub-par, which should allow the Stampeders to gallop to victory. Pick Stampeders by six.
Lamb: The Tiger-Cats are improving but the Stampeders are at home. Pick: Stampeders by seven.
Nielsen: In what's shaping up to be the season of the zone blitz, the Stampeders lead the league in quarterback sacks, while the Tiger-Cats sit dead last. Pick: Calgary by 10.
Blue Bombers (2-8) at Eskimos (1-9)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. TSN
Clarke: Oh for an offensive line. The Eskimos need one to give Mike Reilly a break. They should draw inspiration with defensive demon J.C. Sherritt and tailback Hugh Charles back from IR. The Bombers D is tough to beat, but look for the Esks to end their losing streak at eight games. Pick: Edmonton by five.
James: The Blue Bombers pass rush could prove tough for the Eskimos to handle. Pick: Bombers by two.
Lamb: The first of back-to-back games between the bottom-feeders of the league. Take the home team. Pick: Eskimos by six.
Nielsen: The Blue Bombers could have turned the corner with their win over the Roughriders last week, but the Eskimos are simply due for a win. Pick: Eskimos by three.
Argonauts (6-4) at Roughriders (8-2)
Saturday, 6:30 p.m. TSN
Clarke: No Rey Williams at middle linebacker the rest of the season will hurt 'Riders. Darian Durant couldn't get his banjo in tune last week, but he'll be back in form to stop the defending champs. Pick: Saskatchewan by 10.
James: The Roughriders will make the most of their bounce-back opportunity after a loss last week in Winnipeg. Pick: Riders by nine.
Lamb: The Argonauts rallied on the road in Montreal last week, but they face a much more hostile environment in Regina. Pick: Roughriders by three.
Nielsen: The Roughriders should get back on track against an inconsistent Argonauts. Pick: Saskatchewan by 10.
Alouettes (4-6) at Lions (6-4)
Sunday, 1:30 p.m. TSN
Clarke: Buck Pierce is back, and if he can stay healthy, the Lions have some insurance at QB. Tanner Marsh has already proven he can win, but he's no Anthony Cavillo. The Als' pass defence has been effective but count on Travis Lulay having a field day feeding Emmanuel Arceneaux and Nick Moore. Pick: B.C. by 12.
James: The league's least penalized team will beat the CFL's penalty leaders. Pick: Lions by seven.
Lamb: The Alouettes have to travel and the Lions play better at home, combined with the maturity the Westcoasters acquired this week should be enough for the win. Pick: Lions by 12.
Nielsen: The Lions have had trouble putting together a complete game all season, but there will be no late-game heroics for the Alouettes this time. Pick: B.C. by 10.
