Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Saturday 8/4/18
BC Lions vs. Calgary Stampeders Preview and Predictions 08-04-2018 in CFL
CFL Previews 1st August 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 08/01/2018
The Calgary Stampeders look to remain unbeaten when they host the BC Lions in a West Division clash Saturday. The Stampeders cruised to an impressive 34-22 road victory against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 7 to improve to 6-0 for the first time in 23 years, and hope to continue their mastery of BC by earning their ninth win in the last 10 regular-season meetings with the Lions.
Calgary has been dominant on defence, leading the league in several different categories, including points allowed per game (11.3), forced fumbles (10) and sacks (17) and hopes to move to 34-8 against West Division rivals since the start of the 2014 season. The last-place Lions were left to lick their wounds during their off week following a 29-25 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks on July 20. It doesn't get any easier for BC, which has dropped four straight meetings with Calgary and hasn't tasted victory at McMahon Stadium since a 25-24 win Aug. 1, 2014, but hopes the extra time to prepare for the Stampeders pays off as they look to produce the shock of the CFL season. "We're coming up against the juggernaut of the league and we want to win," Lions defensive back T.J. Lee told reporters. "We have to keep putting in the work if we're expecting results."
TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN Plus
ABOUT THE LIONS (2-3): Veteran running back Brandon Rutley, who rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown against Ottawa, was placed on the six-game injured list after suffering a knee injury. Jeremiah Johnson, who leads the team with 222 rushing yards, is likely to return to the lineup after missing the last game with an ankle injury while Travon Van is back with the team after dealing with a personal issue back home. Offensive lineman Jovan Olafioye suffered a knee injury against the Redblacks and is likely to miss Saturday's clash while Hunter Steward is questionable because of a back injury, which has kept him sidelined for the last month.
ABOUT THE STAMPEDERS (6-0): Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 187 yards and three touchdowns, including a scoring strike to Eric Rogers - his fifth TD catch in his last four games. Don Jackson leads the team in rushing yards (442), but was a late scratch against Saskatchewan due to a pulled hamstring and is questionable for Saturday while his replacement Terry Williams, who returned a punt for a 78-yard touchdown against the Roughriders, could sit out because of a nagging shoulder injury. "There are concerns and as always I'm going to make the best decision for the club," Calgary coach Dave Dickenson told reporters. "If they show me they can practice by day 3 then I'd like to see them play."
EXTRA POINTS
1. Calgary has held five of six opponents to 14 points or fewer in 2018.
2. Lions DE Odell Willis has recorded three sacks in his last two games.
3. Mitchell has thrown 11 touchdowns passes in his last five starts.
PREDICTION: Stampeders 31, Lions 19
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