CFL Picks, Week 15
After 14 weeks in the CFL picks game:
Ted Clarke: 2-2 last week; 26-18 overall
Peter James: 3-1 last week; 33-11 overall
Sheri Lamb: 2-2 last week; 30-18 overall
Mark Nielsen: 3-1 last week; 31-13 overall
Tiger-Cats (6-7) at Argonauts (9-4)
Today, 4 p.m. TSN
Clarke: Ricky Ray won't start but he can see clearly now that there's trouble ahead for the Tabbies. Look for Henry Burris to bounce back with a strong outing but it won't be enough to win the battle of Ontario.
Argos by eight.
James: The Argonauts are sailing toward a division title and there's no reason to think the Tiger-Cats will be able to rock the boat. Pick: Argos by six.
Lamb: After four weeks on the road the Argonauts return to the comfy confines of home and should continue their win streak. Pick: Argos by seven.
Nielsen: No sooner did Matt Dunigan say Henry Burris is playing the best football of his career than the Tiger-Cats were dumped by Calgary. Called it the TSN version of the Sports Illustrated Jinx. On the other side, QB Ricky Ray is back in the lineup (not that Zach Collaros was bad) and DB Patrick Watkins is en route to finishing the season as the team's top ball hawk. Welcome home, Argos. Toronto by 10.
Roughriders (8-5) at Lions (9-4)
Today, 7 p.m. TSN
Clarke: Betting against the Lions has been a losing proposition but I'll lay money the Riders are going to win this one.
Riders by six
James: The Lions can take a big step towards securing a crucial home playoff game by handing the Roughriders a fifth straight defeat. Pick: Lions by four.
Lamb: The Riders are riding a four-game losing skid and would like some pay back after the Lions beat them in their house a couple weeks ago - it's not going to happen. Pick: Lions by three.
Nielsen: Sure it was against the Bombers but the Lions defence showed the CFL is not necessarily a quarterback-driven league. What's more, the Lions will have had a full week of between games while the Riders now find themselves in Vancouver just five days after playing in Montreal, and just one practice in between too boot. Lions by 10.
Alouettes (5-8) at Eskimos (3-10)
Saturday, 12:30 p.m. TSN
Clarke: Concussions are serious business and if Mike Reilly is allowed to play, the Eskimos should be fined. Hope they're paying attention to the NFL's head-case settlement. Can Kerry Joseph get the job done? Maybe, but in this case , it won't be a happy ending for Edmonton.
Alouettes by three
James: The Eskimos need to win to realistically stay alive in the cross-over playoff race, but the Alouettes are just as motivated to get in position for a home playoff date. Pick: Alouettes by seven.
Lamb: The Alouettes can pound the final nail in the Eskimos coffin with a win. The Eskimos are without quarterback Mike Reilly (concussion) and are coming off a disastrous second-half performance against the Argos that saw them blow a 20-1 advantage. Pick: Alouettes by 10.
Nielsen: Arguably the Eskimos' best player, QB Mike Reilly will likely sit this one out due to a concussion suffered last week against the Argonauts, brought on by an illegal hit. In what should be a tilt between young backups, the Als Josh Neiswander will prevail. Montreal by 10.
Blue Bombers (2-11) at Stampeders (10-3)
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. TSN
Clarke: The fans at McMahon will have plenty to cheer about. Their team won't play down to the level of their opponents. That touchdown horse is in for a good workout.
Stamps by 14
James: It may not be the slaughter that some people expect, but the Blue Bombers are no match for the Stampeders. Pick: Stamps by nine.
Lamb: The Stampeders will take a giant leap in cementing their hold on first place in the West division with a win over the hapless Blue Bumblers. Pick: Stampeders by 21.
Nielsen: The question is not whether the Stampeders will win but by how much. Expect them to use their ruthless blitz to try and match the Lions' 53 points against the Bombers last week. Note to Bombers coach Tim Burke: Turn that frown upside down and help create some positive energy for your team. Calgary by 21.
