CFL Betting Recap - Week 6
By Joe Williams
VegasInsider.com
League Betting Notes
Favorites went 3-1 SU in Week 6
Favorites/underdogs went 2-2 ATS in Week 6
Home teams posted a 4-0 SU record in Week 6
Home teams posted a 3-1 ATS record in Week 6
The 'Under' went 4-0 in Week 6
Team Betting Notes
The BC Lions (2-3) fell to 1-2 SU and 0-2-1 ATS on the road with a 23-13 setback at Winnipeg (3-3) despite being a 2.5-point favorite. The 'under' also hit for the third consecutive road outing for Jeff Tedford's squad.
Calgary (4-2) bounced back with a 25-22 win at home against Montreal (2-3), but they failed to cover for the sixth time in six games. The 'under' has also cashed in five of the first six games for the Stamps.
After failing to cover in their opening game, the Alouettes are 3-0-1 ATS in their past four games. And more importantly, the 'under' is a perfect 5-0 in five games for Montreal.
Saskatchewan (0-6) remains winless, and they looked worse than ever in Friday's setback in Edmonton (4-1). While the Esks have covered four in a row, and the 'under' is 4-1 through five games, things are going the other way for the Roughriders. Saskatchewan is 0-5-1 ATS through six games, and the 'under' has hit in three straight, helped out Friday by a mere five points. Their scoring totals have decreased in each of the past four games.
Hamilton (3-2) has won back-to-back games for the first time this season, knocking out a 34-18 win against Toronto (3-2) in the home opener for the TiCats after a road odyssey to kick off the season. The 'under' has now hit in three in a row for Hamilton, and four of five overall.
The Argonauts failed to cover for the first time in five games. Oddly enough, they're 3-1 SU/4-0 ATS in four games against the West, and 0-1 SU/ATS inside their own division.
Ottawa (3-2) was off in Week 6, as they prepare for the Alouettes at home Friday. They won at Montreal 20-16 June 25, winning outright as an eight-point underdog.
CFL Betting Notes - Week 7
By David Schwab
VegasInsider.com
Week 6 Betting Recap
It took a few weeks of the new CFL regular season for the favorites to finally assert themselves, but they came away with a 3-1 straight-up run in Week 6 while going 2-2 against the spread. It did not start out that way in Winnipeg’s stunning 23-13 victory against British Columbia last Thursday night as a two-point home underdog, but Edmonton got things rolling with a 30-5 rout of Saskatchewan as a 9½-point favorite at home.
Calgary squeezed out a tight 25-22 victory in its matchup against Montreal this past Saturday, but it could not cover as 5½-point home favorite. In Monday’s East Division showdown between Hamilton and Toronto, the Tiger-Cats came out on top 34-18 as five-point favorites at home.
Thursday, Aug. 6
Edmonton Eskimos (4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS) vs. British Columbia Lions (2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS)
Point-spread: PICK
Total: 47½
Game Overview
Through the first six weeks of the CFL regular season the Eskimos have clearly established themselves as the team to beat in the West Division both on the field and at the betting window. Edmonton is averaging 28.4 points a game while allowing an average of just 12.6 points to its opponents.
BC quarterback Travis Lulay is coming off a very shaky performance last week in which he was picked-off three times. The bright spot in the unexpected loss to Winnipeg was the running of Andrew Harris. He carried the ball 24 times and ended the game with 117 yards rushing. He also had four receptions for 51 yards in the losing cause.
Betting Trends
Edmonton has won the last two meetings SU, but it has failed to cover in six of its last eight road games against BC. The total has gone OVER in seven of the last 10 meetings there.
Friday, Aug. 7
Montreal Alouettes (2-3 SU, 3-1-1 ATS) vs. Ottawa RedBlacks (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS)
Point-spread: PICK
Total: 46½
Game Overview
Montreal has to be kicking itself for last week’s loss after opening up a 17 point lead on Calgary. The Alouettes did get another strong effort from quarterback Rakeem Cato, who threw for 278 yards and a score while completing 20 of his 32 attempts. His big target against the Stampeders was slotback SJ Green with seven receptions for 132 yards and a score.
Ottawa is coming off a bye and it has to be thrilled with its surprising 3-2 SU start after winning just two games all last season in its inaugural season in the CFL as the RedBlacks. Offensively, it is averaging just 21 points a game, but veteran quarterback Henry Burris is still ranked fifth in the CFL in total passing yards with 1,372 through his first five games.
Betting Trends
Montreal swept Ottawa with three SU wins last season while going 2-1 ATS, but the RedBlacks drew first blood this season with a 20-16 victory as eight-point road underdogs in Week 1. The total has stayed UNDER in all four meetings.
Saturday, Aug. 8
Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-6 SU, 0-6 ATS) vs. Toronto Argonauts (3-2 SU, 4-1 ATS)
Point-spread: Toronto -9½
Total: 48½
Game Overview
The loss of quarterback Darian Durant for the entire season continues to take its toll, but the Roughriders also have to place a good bit of the blame for their dismal 0-6 start both SU and ATS on the play of their defense. Following last week’s loss to Edmonton, this unit has been torched for an average of 32.5 points a game.
Toronto fell behind 14-0 early to Hamilton in Monday’s loss never recovered. Backup quarterback Trevor Harris put-up some solid numbers with 326 yards passing and one touchdown throw while completing 72.5 percent of his 40 attempts. It was the Argonauts’ defense that had no answer for stopping the Tiger-Cats.
Betting Trends
The Roughriders lost to Toronto 42-40 in overtime in Week 2 as three-point home favorites. They are now just 1-3 both SU and ATS in the last four meetings. The total has gone OVER in five of the last six games in this inter-division clash.
Sunday, Aug. 9
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-3 SU, 3-2-1 ATS) vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-2 SU, 4-1 ATS)
Point-spread: Hamilton -7
Total: 54
Game Overview
The Blue Bombers are off to a respectable 3-3 SU start following a second-half collapse last season in which they lost 10 of their last 12 games SU. Quarterback Drew Willy has had to battle through injury this season and last week against BC he threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns to help pace the upset. He also led the team in rushing with 72 yards on just five carries.
Hamilton has gotten a solid effort from its quarterback Zach Collaros to help pace its 3-2 SU start. He is currently ranked fourth in the CFL in total passing yards with 1,444 yards and he has completed 71.4 percent of his 168 attempts this season. In this past Monday’s victory over Toronto, he completed 21-of-27 attempts for 229 yards and three touchdowns.
Betting Trends
Winnipeg is just 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings and the total has stayed UNDER in seven of the last eight meetings in Hamilton. The Tiger-Cats won the first meeting this season 52-26 as one-point road underdogs.
EDMONTON (4 - 1) at BRITISH COLUMBIA (2 - 3) - 8/6/2015, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 13-32 ATS (-22.2 Units) in road games after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins since 1996.
EDMONTON is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 3-2 against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 3-2 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MONTREAL (2 - 3) at OTTAWA (3 - 2) - 8/7/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MONTREAL is 17-33 ATS (-19.3 Units) in road games when playing on a Friday since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 2-1 against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 3-1 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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SASKATCHEWAN (0 - 6) at TORONTO (3 - 2) - 8/8/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SASKATCHEWAN is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) off a division game over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) off a loss against a division rival over the last 3 seasons. SASKATCHEWAN is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in dome games since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 105-74 ATS (+23.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
TORONTO is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-2 against the spread versus SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 3-2 straight up against SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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WINNIPEG (3 - 3) at HAMILTON (3 - 2) - 8/9/2015, 5:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
HAMILTON is 5-2 against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
HAMILTON is 6-1 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON vs. BRITISH COLUMBIA
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Edmonton's last 11 games
Edmonton is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
British Columbia is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of British Columbia's last 5 games at home
MONTREAL vs. OTTAWA
Montreal is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Montreal is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Ottawa is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Ottawa's last 17 games
SASKATCHEWAN vs. TORONTO
Saskatchewan is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Saskatchewan's last 15 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Saskatchewan
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Saskatchewan
WINNIPEG vs. HAMILTON
Winnipeg is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Hamilton
Winnipeg is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Hamilton
Hamilton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Winnipeg
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Hamilton's last 6 games
CFL Week 7
Edmonton (4-1) @ British Columbia (2-3) -- Eskimos won/covered last four games, but three of those four were on road (won 23-12 at Ottawa); Edmonton beat BC twice LY 27-20/37-3 after going 1-9 in previous ten series games; Edmonton lost three of last four visits here, with losses by 20-10-14. Over is 8-3 in last 11 series games played here. Lions lost last two games, outscored 39-9 in second half; they're 0-4-1 vs spread this year, with only wins by FG each in only two played here. Four of five Eskimo games stayed under the total. Edmonton outscored last two foes 48-1 in second half.
Montreal (2-3) @ Ottawa (3-2) -- Four of five Alouette games this year were decided by 4 or less points, with Montreal losing 25-23/25-22 in its two road games, covering both as underdogs. Ottawa is off its bye week after upsetting Calgary here in Week 5; they're 2-1 at home, and 3-0 overall when they score 20+ points. RedBlacks (+8) opened season with 20-16 road upset over Als, outgaining Montreal 377-197 in game they trailed 13-5 at half. It was first series win in four tries for Ottawa, which lost to Alouettes by 10-8-6 points in their expansion year LY.
Saskatchewan (0-6) @ Toronto (3-2) -- Argonauts (+3) won 42-40 in OT at Regina in Week 2, in a game Roughriders led 17-10 at half; Toronto has now won four of last six series games, with five of the six going over total. Riders are 7-2 in last nine visits here, but lost 48-15 LY; they're 0-6 this year, losing twice in OT- they've only trailed three of the games at halftime- Riders allowed an average of 23.2 ppg in last five games, just in second half!!!! Toronto is favored for first time this year after 4-1 start vs spread as a dog- they beat Edmonton 26-11 (+4) in only home game so far.
Winnipeg (3-3) @ Hamilton (3-2) -- Hamilton (even) hammered Bombers 52-26 in Winnipeg back in Week 2, outgaining hosts 457-276 in game they led 38-13 at half. TiCats won seven of last eight in series, but Bombers pulled 27-26 upset in last visit here LY. Six of last nine series games went under the total. Winnipeg is 3-1 vs spread as an underdog this year, but lost last two road games, by 29 at Edmonton, 1 at Saskatchewan. TiCats won three of last four games, beating Toronto 34-18 in home opener last week. Under is 4-0 in last four Bomber games, 4-1 in Hamilton's last five games.
Underdogs are 21-6 vs spread in CFL games this year, 3-0 this week, with three games decided by a total of ten points.
Armadillosports.com
Game of the day: Eskimos at Lions
By Covers.com
Edmonton Eskimos at B.C. Lions (+1, 47.5)
The Edmonton Eskimos look to distance themselves from the rest of the pack when they hit the road to face the BC Lions on Thursday. The Eskimos have reeled off four consecutive wins since a Week 1 loss, and are coming off an impressive 30-5 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders to move into top spot in the West Division.
Edmonton won both meetings against the Lions last season by an average margin of 20.5 points as it looks to notch five straight wins for the first time since 2011. BC dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season after a disappointing 23-13 setback to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Week 6. Travis Lulay had his worst outing of the year, throwing three interceptions as the Lions' high-powered offence, which had put up at least 27 points in each of the last three games, was held to its lowest scoring output of 2015. "Everybody is responsible," BC coach Jeff Tedford told reporters. "We all have to be accountable to get it right."
LINE HISTORY: The line opened as a pick'em, but has since shifted to BC +1. The opening total of 47.5 has yet to move.
INJURY REPORT: Eskimos - QB Mike Reilly (Out-Knee) Lions - G Cody Husband (Ques-Undisclosed)
ABOUT THE ESKIMOS (4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS, 1-4 O/U): Matt Nichols bounced back after being pulled in the third quarter in Week 6 by going 27-of-39 for 300 yards and two touchdowns against the Roughriders. "He responded like he always responds," Edmonton coach Chris Jones told reporters. "He did exactly what we as a coaching staff thought he would do." Kenny Stafford is in the midst of a breakout season as the fourth-year wide receiver has hauled in 19 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns, including two in his last two games.
ABOUT THE LIONS (2-3 SU, 0-3-1 ATS, 2-2 O/U): Lulay went 22-of-33 for 255 yards and a score versus the Blue Bombers but has thrown four interceptions compared to two touchdown passes in his last two games. "We just got to get better," Lulay told reporters. "The biggest thing for us is being consistent in our execution for 60 minutes." Running back Andrew Harris continues to be BC's most consistent player as he racked up 167 yards from scrimmage against Winnipeg after accumulating 129 yards and three touchdowns in the previous week.
TRENDS:
*Eskimos are 6-0 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
*Lions are 0-6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
*Under is 12-2 in Eskimos last 14 vs. West.
*Over is 4-0-1 in Lions last 5 home games.
CONSENSUS: 53.6 percent of the Covers community is backing the Eskies with the total split 50/50.
Game of the day: Alouettes at Redblacks
By Covers.com
Montreal Alouettes at Ottawa Redblacks (+2, 46.5)
The Ottawa Redblacks look to take sole possession of first place in the East Division when they host the Montreal Alouettes on Friday. The Redblacks have already surpassed their win total from a year ago following an impressive 29-26 overtime victory over the Calgary Stampeders on July 24.
Ottawa has won two home games after dropping five of its seven contests at TD Place last season and hopes to beat the Alouettes in back-to-back meetings for the first time in franchise history, and earn the tiebreaker over its division rival in the process. Montreal is left to pick up the pieces after letting a 17-point lead slip away in a 25-22 loss to the Stampeders in Week 6. The last-placed Alouettes are 1-3 in games decided by four points or fewer this season and their three losses have come by a combined nine points, but can create a four-team logjam at the top of the division by beating the Redblacks for the fourth time in the last five meetings. "We have to learn how to win," Montreal wide receiver S.J. Green told reporters. "We have to execute in critical moments."
LINE HISTORY: The spread opened as a pick'em, but has since shifted to OTT +2. The total has not changed since opening at 46.5.
INJURY REPORT: Alouettes - SB Justin Caliste (Out-Suspension), WR Chad Johnson (Out-Suspension), QB Kyle Quinlan (Out-Suspension) Redblacks - QB Brock Jensen (Ques-Undisclosed), WR Khalil Paden (Ques-Undisclosed), WR Chris Williams (Out-Undisclosed)
ABOUT THE ALOUETTES (2-3 SU, 4-1 ATS, 0-5 O/U): Slotback Fred Stamps should return to the lineup Friday after missing the loss to Calgary to attend to an urgent personal matter at home in Louisiana. Rakeem Cato continues to impress after being thrust into a starting role as he completed 20-of-32 passes for 278 yards and a touchdown against the defending Grey Cup champions. Montreal coach Tom Higgins said defensive end Michael Sam will make his season debut at some point in August but it's not known whether he will be activated for Friday's contest.
ABOUT THE REDBLACKS (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS, 2-3 O/U): Ottawa released Delbert Alvarado, who missed two field goals against the Stampeders and brought in Canadian kicker Chris Milo as his replacement. "We just felt we needed to be better and we hope Chris can be that guy," Redblacks GM Marcel Desjardins told reporters. "What happened in the last game just wasn't good enough." Kick returner/wide receiver Chris Williams has lived up to the hype after returning to Canada from a two-year stint in the NFL as he's ranked third in the CFL with 432 receiving yards, and has 14 receptions for 252 yards in his last two games.
TRENDS:
*Alouettes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. loss.
*RedBlacks are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following a ATS win.
*Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
*Under is 11-5-1 in RedBlacks last 17 games overall.
CONSENSUS: The Covers community is split 50/50 on the spread with 57.3 percent on the under.
CFL Betting News and Notes
Covers.com
Alouettes look to remain a perfect under play
Through five games this CFL season, the Montreal Alouettes have been a flawless under play.
The Als are combining a league-worse offense (21.4 ppg) with a top level defense (18.8 ppg) to make total bettors happy. The combined average score of an Als game this season is 40.2 compared to an average closing total of 49.9.
Montreal will travel to Ottawa Friday with the total currently 46.5.
Game of the day: Roughriders at Argonauts
By Covers.com
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Toronto Argonauts (-9.5, 48.5)
The Toronto Argonauts look to pull ahead in the race for the top spot in the East Division when they host the winless Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday. The Argonauts missed a chance to take sole possession of first place when they dropped a 34-18 decision to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and find themselves tied with two division rivals.
Toronto plays at the Rogers Centre for the first time after the Pan Am Games forced the team on the road for five weeks and hopes to beat the Roughriders once more following a thrilling 42-40 double-overtime victory in Week 2. Saskatchewan remains the only winless team in the CFL following a 30-5 setback to the Edmonton Eskimos in Week 6. The Roughriders were forced to use their third different starting quarterback of the season after Kevin Glenn was ruled out with a shoulder injury and rookie Brett Smith was left to run for his life as he was sacked five times. Saskatchewan coach Corey Chamblin was given a vote of confidence by general manager Brendan Taman earlier in the week and hopes to turn things around in order to avoid the team's first 0-7 start since 1979.
LINE HISTORY: The spread and total have both remained at TOR -9.5, 48.5 since open.
INJURY REPORT: Roughriders - LB Shea Emry (Ques-Neck) Argonauts - RB Anthony Coombs (Ques-Undisclosed), SB Chad Owens (Ques-Ankle), LB Cory Greenwood (Out-Concussion)
ABOUT THE ROUGHRIDERS (0-6 SU, 0-5-1 ATS, 3-3 O/U): Smith struggled in his debut as a starter as he finished with zero touchdown passes and two interceptions before being relieved in favour of Tino Sunseri, who fared no better by turning the ball over twice. Saskatchewan signed former Alabama quarterback Blake Sims, who led the Crimson Tide to the SEC title last year, to the practice roster Tuesday while wide receiver James Richardson was apparently let go. "He's no longer with the team at this point right now," Chamblin told reporters. "I can't tell you exactly what his status is."
ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (3-2 SU, 4-1 ATS, 2-3 O/U): Toronto's rookie receivers continue to shine as Vidal Hazelton caught 10 passes for a career-high 134 yards and a touchdown while Kevin Elliott had five receptions for 61 yards against the Tiger-Cats. "I just tried to go out there and compete," Hazelton told reporters. "When my number is called in the huddle it's just my mindset to go out there and come down with the ball." Wide receiver Chad Owens suffered an ankle injury versus Hamilton and is questionable for Saturday's contest as is halfback Anthony Coombs, who is suffering from concussion-like symptoms.
TRENDS:
*Roughriders are 0-6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games.
*Argonauts are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a S.U. loss.
*Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
*Under is 4-0 in Argonauts last 4 home games.
CONSENSUS: 51 percent of Covers users are backing the Argos and 56 percent are on the over.
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