Hamilton CFL odds favorites versus Toronto
By: David Schwab
The quest for the 2010 Grey Cup gets underway this Sunday when the Toronto Argonauts will try and end a four-game losing streak to the East Division rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the semifinal round of the CFL playoffs. Kickoff from Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton is set for 10 a.m. (PT) and the game will be broadcast live on TSN.
Toronto’s dramatic turnaround from winning just seven games the past two seasons combined to earning a spot in this year’s playoffs has had one serious flaw: its inability to compete against Hamilton. The Argonauts lost all three games the two teams played this season by a combined score of 75-28, failing to cover the spread each time.
The first matchup saw the game remain close throughout with Hamilton coming away with a 16-12 win as a three-point road underdog. Things got progressively worse from there for the Argos with the Tiger-Cats winning the next game 28-13 as a four-point home favorite. The last meeting between the two on Oct. 15 was even uglier as Hamilton rolled to a 30-3 victory as a one-point underdog.
Sportsinteraction.com has opened the Tiger-Cats as a seven-point favorite this time around and the ‘over/under’ line is set at 48.
There is little wonder about a wide spread in this game given the way Hamilton has dominated this series in 2010. Much of the damage in these games was self-inflicted by the Argonauts themselves. They committed a whopping 15 turnovers in three games led by CFL rookie QB Cleo Lemons’ five interceptions and three lost fumbles.
Lemon was also sacked 11 times as Toronto’s offensive line had no answer for stopping a relentless Tiger-Cat pass rush led by DE Stevie Baggs.
Baggs ended up being a brilliant free-agent acquisition for Hamilton. He recorded five sacks, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and scored two touchdowns in the span of just seven games this season.
Even Toronto RB Cory Boyd, who was second in the league in rushing this season with 1,359 yards, had a rough time of it against a stout Hamilton defense. He was held to a total of 161 yards on the ground for an average of just 53.7 yards per game.
Offensively, Toronto will have to contend with the arm of QB Kevin Glenn. He completed 69.6 percent of his passes for 774 yards and threw three TD’s in the three games against the Argos this year. Look for WR Arland Bruce, who used to play for Toronto, to be his primary target on Sunday.
The one thing the Argonauts have in their favor is the big play capability of special-teamer Chad Owens. He led the league in both punt and kickoff returns and is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Hamilton did a good job keeping the wraps on him during the regular season, but he is a player to watch in this one.
CFL Playoff Odds: Lions at Roughriders
By: David Schwab
The British Columbia Lions will try and continue their late season roll right into the CFL playoffs when they take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West Division semifinals this Sunday afternoon. The game will be played at Mosaic Stadium in Saskatchewan with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. (PT). The game will also be broadcast live on TSN.
B.C. comes into this game as the hottest team in the league, having won seven of its last 10 games after getting off to a disastrous 1-7 start. The Lions lost the regular season series against Saskatchewan two games to one, but came away victorious the last time they met on Oct. 31.
The Roughriders opened the three-game series with a convincing 37-18 win in Week 2. They covered the spread as a two-point road underdog and the total went ‘over’ the 53-point line. The second time around in Week 7 it was all Saskatchewan again in a 37-13 romp. This time the Roughriders covered as an eight-point home favorite and the total stayed ‘under’ the 54 ½-point line.
The third time the two matched up proved to be the charm for the Lions as they came away with a hard-fought 23-17 victory as a three-point home favorite.
Sportsinteraction.com has opened the Roughriders as a five-point favorite for this game and the ‘over/under’ line is set at 52.
One of the keys to this contest for B.C. will be the ability of quarterback Travis Lulay to play to his capabilities and not get sloppy with the ball. He has looked brilliant at times this season, but has also been prone to turning the ball over at the most inopportune times. He finished the season completing 64.3 percent of his passes for 2,602 yards but did throw 11 interceptions to go along with his nine touchdown passes.
The other key will be the play of all-star wide receiver Geroy Simon, who finished the regular season with 78 receptions for 1,190 yards and six touchdowns. Simon came up big in his second game against the Roughriders this season, with eight catches for 169 yards and two TD’s.
Saskatchewan limps into the postseason having lost four of its last five games. It managed to build a bit of momentum with a 31-23 win over Edmonton in last week’s season finale, but you have to wonder whether this team peaked too early after a 9-4 start.
If the Roughriders are going to right the ship and get back to this year’s Grey Cup, it will be behind the arm of QB Darian Durant. Durant led the CFL in passing this season with 5,552 yards; completing 60.7 percent of his passes. He ended the year with 25 TD throws but also was intercepted a league-high 22 times. Slotback Andy Fantuz has been Durant’s favorite target as he led the league with 87 receptions for 1,380 yards. He had 17 catches for 203 yards and one TD in the three games against the Lions.
B.C. ended the regular season 8-10 straight-up and was 7-11 against the CFL spread. The Lions were 5-4 SU in nine games on the road and 4-5 ATS. The total went ‘over’ in six of their last 10 games overall.
Saskatchewan finished second to Calgary in the West with a 10-8 record SU and was 8-9 ATS. The Roughriders went 7-2 SU at home this season but were just 4-4 ATS. The total stayed ‘under’ in five of their last nine games.
The Lions bring a ton of momentum into the postseason after basically playing in a playoff atmosphere for their last three ‘must-win’ games of the regular season. B.C. , at the very least, will be able to keep this game close enough to cover with the five points, but have an excellent chance of winning this game outright.
Weather wreaks havoc on B.C. Lions' playoff plans
Adverse weather conditions forced the British Columbia Lions to land in Calgary on Saturday instead of Regina, where they are scheduled to play Saskatchewan in the CFL Western Division semifinal on Sunday.
The Lions' chartered plane was attempting to land at the Regina airport, where the runway was covered with snow and barely visible. The captain then informed the passengers that it was unsafe to land and they were diverting to Calgary.
The team was standing by at the Caribou North terminal, about a mile from Calgary International Airport, awaiting clearance to make the final leg of the flight. There was no indication when the team will arrive for the game, or if it will be rescheduled.
TORONTO (9 - 9) at HAMILTON (9 - 9)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 8-21 ATS (-15.1 Units) off a division game over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 23-39 ATS (-19.9 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
HAMILTON is 7-3 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
HAMILTON is 7-3 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA (8 - 10) at SASKATCHEWAN (10 - 8)
Top Trends for this game.
SASKATCHEWAN is 147-113 ATS (+22.7 Units) in all games since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 147-113 ATS (+22.7 Units) in all lined games since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 48-30 ATS (+15.0 Units) when playing on a Sunday since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 134-101 ATS (+22.9 Units) in games played on turf since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 84-52 ATS (+26.8 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 7 points over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 6-5 against the spread versus SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 6-5 straight up against SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO vs. HAMILTON
Toronto is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Hamilton
Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Hamilton
Hamilton is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Hamilton's last 5 games
BRITISH COLUMBIA vs. SASKATCHEWAN
British Columbia is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
British Columbia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Saskatchewan is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Saskatchewan is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games