CFL Betting Recap - Week 7
VegasInsider.com
League Betting Notes
Favorites went 2-0 straight up in Week 7
Favorites went 2-0 against the spread in Week 7
Home and Road teams went 1-1 record in Week 7
The 'over/under' went 1-1 in Week 7
Team Betting Notes
Calgary (5-1) dealt Saskatchewan (5-1) their first loss of the season, and in turn they moved into a tie for first place in the West Division. Both the Stamps and Roughriders are each also 5-1 ATS this season.
Toronto (4-2) showed why they're the class of the East Division, hitting the road and dropping Montreal (2-4). The Argos now have a two-game spread after just six games.
The Stampeders have covered in four consecutive games, and the 'over' has now cashed in three straight weeks.
The Alouettes have failed to cover in four of their past five games, and it won't get any easier in Week 8. The Alouettes head to Regina to face an angry Saskatchewan bunch.
Canadian Football League Week 7 Betting Recap
By Ian Cameron
Sportsmemo.com
Here is my recap of Week 7 in the Canadian Football League as I provide a quick hitter, team-by-team analysis of the four teams that were in action.
Toronto Argonauts (4-2 SU/ ATS)
Toronto earned its second straight blowout victory in Week 7 as they absolutely humiliated the Alouettes in Montreal, 38-13. The Argos capitalized on a whopping six turnovers and put the game out of reach early in the first half with a flawless performance. Toronto scored 31 points in the first half including a terrific kick return touchdown by Chad Owens after a Montreal missed field goal. Toronto played a great game but at the same time, Montreal was beyond pathetic and showed no signs of any kind of spark following the sudden firing of Dan Hawkins. Quarterback Ricky Ray returned to the Argos after missing their last game due to injury. He was very efficient throwing for only 152 yards but completing 15-of-18 passes and three touchdowns. Toronto’s defense continued its resurgence having allowed just 44 points in their last three games (3-0 SU/ATS). The Argos have also played back-to-back games under the total and things may continue that way especially with the offensively inept Edmonton Eskimos on deck.
Montreal Alouettes (2-4 SU/ATS)
Last week’s loss to Toronto was one of the most embarrassing performances of the CFL season. What didn’t Montreal do wrong? Turnovers, penalties, an anemic offense, a defense that was gashed repeatedly, and poor special teams which resulted in a kick return touchdown pretty much sums it up. The thing that was most alarming about the loss was it came on the heels of a coaching change which saw first-year head coach Dan Hawkins get shown the door after just five games. The change was supposed to provide a spark and an inspired effort but instead, they fell flat on their faces. The Alouettes only got the football in the end zone late in the fourth quarter when the game was already well out of reach. Quarterback Anthony Calvillo continues to struggle with accuracy down the field which had never been an issue for him in the past. And it doesn’t help that the offensive line is unable to provide holes for the rushing attack nor protect its 40-year-old quarterback. The defense which carried Montreal in the first few weeks of the season has regressed and struggled against the better offenses in the CFL as they’ve now allowed 92 points in their last three games. They have been worn down from being on the field far too much because of an offense that is having trouble sustaining drives let alone putting up points. Now what looms for Montreal? None other than a very tough road game against the 5-1 Saskatchewan Roughriders who are likely to show up in a foul mood after seeing their undefeated streak to start the season get snapped last week by the Calgary Stampeders. Things could get even worse for Montreal this week if that’s possible.
Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-1 SU/ATS)
For the first time this season, Saskatchewan looked average. The Roughriders had been dominating games on both sides of the football and on special teams en route to their 5-0 start but we saw a much different story unfold in last week’s 42-27 loss to Calgary. Saskatchewan made mistakes. They turned the football over twice which was their first two turnovers of the season. They were undisciplined committing several bad 15-yard variety penalties. The offense was good at times but it wasn’t consistent for the entire 60 minutes and the defense which had been very stingy got gashed on the ground by last year’s CFL leading rusher Jon Cornish who ran for 175 yards and four touchdowns! I had doubts about Calgary’s ability to get the job done against Saskatchewan last week especially with backup quarterback Kevin Glenn starting but he did enough to move around in the pocket and avoid the Roughriders pass rush while completing a very solid 21-of-28 passes to go along with a touchdown pass. This was the first bump in the road in what has been a terrific start to the season for Saskatchewan so it will be interesting to see how they respond. They will get a chance to bounce back at home this week against the stumbling Montreal Alouettes.
Calgary Stampeders (5-1 SU/ATS)
Calgary clearly treated its rematch against Saskatchewan last week like it was a playoff game. They came out focused and determined to get off to a great start and that is exactly what they did. The Stampeders scored the first 16 points of the game against arguably the best defense in the CFL. The Calgary offensive line repeatedly blew the Saskatchewan defensive front off the football and allowed their star running back Jon Cornish plenty of room to run. Calgary’s game plan on defense was to shut down this year’s CFL leading rusher Kory Sheets and they did a very good job of it in the first half. Sheets still rushed for over 100 yards which shows how good he has been but most of that yardage came with his team trailing in the second half. The Stamps defensive front managed to get pressure throughout the game on quarterback Darian Durant who had a solid game but didn’t have anywhere near the amount of time in the pocket to make plays down the field in the passing game. It was a very good performance from Calgary who moved into a first place place tie in the West Division with Saskatchewan at 5-1. The key for the Stamps moving forward will be to continue to play solid defense and block up front. When Cornish produces at the level he did last week with the ground game, Calgary is a very tough team to beat. This was another game involving Calgary that sailed over the total making the Stampeders 12-1 to the Over in their last 13 games dating back to last season.
CFL Betting Notes - Week 8
By David Schwab
VegasInsider.com
After two weeks, of byes the 2013 CFL regular season returns to a full slate of games this week. In the first of two Week 7 games, Toronto extended its lead in the East Division with a 38-13 romp over Montreal as a 1½-point road underdog. Last Friday night Calgary handed Saskatchewan its first loss of the season in a wild 42-27 victory as a three-point favorite at home. The total went well OVER the 56-point line.
The following is a brief betting preview for the two games in the CFL this week with the opening pointspread and ‘over/under’ lines provided by TopBet.
Friday, Aug. 16
Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Point-spread: Hamilton -3
Total: 52½
The Tiger-Cats come off of their bye tied for second place in the East with a straight up record of 2-4. They have only covered against the spread in one of their first six games and the total has stayed UNDER in four of those contests. Hamilton has struggled to put points on the board this season with an average of 21.5 a game, but to make matters worse its defense has allowed the most points so far in the CFL (187).
Winnipeg is bringing up the rear in the East at 1-5 SU but it is an even 3-3 ATS. It has failed to cover in its previous three home games and the total has gone OVER in all three of those outings. The Bombers decided to go in a new direction at quarterback by replacing an ineffective Buck Pierce with Justin Goltz. The four-year vet has thrown for 476 yards and two touchdowns while completing 57.7 percent of his passes.
These two met in Week 3 with Hamilton squeezing-out a 25-20 victory as a six-point home favorite. The total stayed UNDER the 54½-point line. It was just its second SU win over the Bombers in the last eight meetings and it is now 1-6-1 ATS over the same span of games.
Saturday, August 17
Montreal Alouettes vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Point-spread: Saskatchewan -10½
Total: 53½
The shake-up at head coach in Montreal did not produce any different results last week as the team fell to 2-4 both SU and ATS on the year. The total stayed UNDER the 53-point line in the loss to Toronto but it has gone OVER in two previous road games. The Alouettes are averaging 22.5 points a game and they have been outscored by a combined 42 points this year.
The Roughriders reeled-off five victories both SU and ATS to start the season and they are tied atop the West Division at 5-1 SU with Calgary. They are the highest scoring team in the league with 210 points and their defense is ranked first in points allowed (129). The total has gone OVER in four of their six games.
Montreal has won five of the last six meetings SU but it is just 3-6 ATS in the last nine games between the two. The total has stayed UNDER in four of the last six games. This will be the first meeting this season.
Calgary Stampeders vs. British Columbia Lions
Point-spread: BC -3
Total: 56
Calgary has now won its last four games both SU and ATS and is 5-1 both ways on the year. The total has gone OVER in five of its first six games. Kevin Glenn got the start at quarterback in last week’s win over Saskatchewan and completed 21-of-28 attempts for 218 yards and a score. Jon Cornish ran for 175 yards and four touchdowns.
The Lions come off their bye at 4-2 SU on the year and a game behind the Stampeders and the Roughriders in the West. They are 3-3 ATS and the total has stayed UNDER in two of three home games this year. Travis Lulay is BC starting quarterback and he has completed 66.1 percent of his throws for 1,468 yards and 10 touchdowns.
This should be a great aerial battle between two teams that know how to put points on the board. Calgary drew first blood in this season’s series with a 44-32 victory on opening day as a 3 ½-point home favorite. The total went OVER the 52-point line. The Stamps are now 13-6 SU in their last 19 games against BC.
Sunday, Aug. 18
Edmonton Eskimos vs. Toronto Argonauts
Point-spread: Toronto -7½
Total: 54½
The Eskimos are buried in the West Division at 1-5 SU on the year and they are a costly 1-5 ATS. The total has gone OVER in four of the six games. They have scored the fewest points in the CFL (128) and they are allowing an average of 28.2 points a game on defense. Mike Reilly has taken the majority of the snaps at quarterback and he has completed 58.1 percent of his throws for 1,217 yards and six touchdowns. He has also been picked-off six times.
Toronto has appeared to regain the form that carried it all the way to last season’s Grey Cup title with three-straight wins. The Argonauts now have a two-game lead in the East Division at 4-2 SU and they are also 4-2 ATS. The total has gone OVER in all three of their home games this year. Ricky Ray has played extremely well at quarterback so far with a completion percentage of 76.4 percent and 11 touchdown throws against zero interceptions.
This will be the first meeting this season and Edmonton comes in with a 5-1 SU (4-2 ATS) record in the last six games between the two. The total has gone OVER in two of the last three games played in Toronto.
Week 8 CFL
Hamilton (2-4) @ Winnipeg (1-5) — Bombers used their bye week to clean house in front office; doubt that will help right away on field. TiCats (-5.5) beat Winnipeg 25-20 at home in first meeting five weeks ago, averaging 11.3 yards/pass attempt- Bombers outrushed them 144-65. Home side won last five series games; Hamilton lost its last four visits here, by 3-16-7-22 points. TiCats have zero takeaways the last three weeks (-5) and only two for season (-6). Bombers are minus-9 in turnovers, coughing ball up 16 times already- they’re 0-3 at home, allowing 36.7 ppg in losses by 5-16-13 points. Hamilton hung on for upset win at Edmonton last game, outrushing Eskimos 156-71. Eight of last eleven series games stayed under total, as have four of last five Hamilton games this year.
Montreal (2-4) @ Saskatchewan (5-1) — Alouettes got whacked 38-13 at home last week by Toronto, losing five fumbles (-6 in TO’s) in their 4th loss in last five games, first since HC Hawkins was fired; Montreal split its two road games, scoring 38-27 points- they blew 24-0 lead in loss at Calgary, and are scoring just 17.5 ppg at home. Roughriders lost first game last week, 42-27 at Calgary (down 26-7 at half); they’re 2-0 as home favorites, winning by 15-37 points. Als are 9-2 in last 11 series games, going 3-1 in last four visits here and also beating Saskatchewan in two Grey Cups, so now that they’re struggling in post-Trestman era, will Riders take out their frustrations? Montreal allowed 34.3 ppg in last three games; their losses this year are by 8-8-11-25 points.
Calgary (5-1) @ BC Lions (4-2) — Lions (+3.5) lost 44-32 in Calgary in season opener, giving up 437 total yards, 200 on ground; BC lost its last three series games, by 20-5-12 points- six of last nine series games went over total. Stamps won eight of last ten visits here- their 34-29 (+6.5) upset win here in LY’s playoffs snapped 2-game skid at this site. Calgary won/covered its last four games, handing Riders their first loss last week; Stamps are 2-1 on road, winning in Montreal (22-14)/Winnipeg (37-24), losing 36-21 in Regina. Lions are 3-0 at home, winning by 8-10-7 points, allowing only 19 ppg; home team covered five of their six games this season. Five of six Calgary games went over total; two of BC’s three home games stayed under.
Edmonton (1-5) @ Toronto (4-2) — Eskimos’ star LB JC Skerritt (thumb) is out here, hurting Eskimo defense that gave up 30+ points last three weeks- they were down 20-6/17-6 at half of last two games, rallied to lose close games both times. Edmonton (+7.5) won its road opener in rain at Hamilton, then lost by 10 in Vancouver, 5 at Montreal- they’re 1-2 as road dogs, with five of their six games going over total. Toronto won/covered its last three games, scoring 35-38-38 points; they’re 2-1 at home, scoring 35 ppg there. Five of six Argo games went over total, including all three at home. Argos’ 42-26 win over Edmonton in LY’s playoffs was just their second win in last nine series games; Eskimos won four of last five visits here, with wins by 3-18-7-9 points. Four of last five series games went over the total.
Armadillosports.com
Friday, August 16
HAMILTON (2 - 4) at WINNIPEG (1 - 5) - 8/16/2013, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WINNIPEG is 23-9 ATS (+13.1 Units) as a home underdog of 3 points or less since 1996.
WINNIPEG is 99-71 ATS (+20.9 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
WINNIPEG is 30-15 ATS (+13.5 Units) in home games after 2 or more consecutive straight up losses since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 6-2 against the spread versus HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG is 6-2 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Saturday, August 17
MONTREAL (2 - 4) at SASKATCHEWAN (5 - 1) - 8/17/2013, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MONTREAL is 16-28 ATS (-14.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 16-28 ATS (-14.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 15-28 ATS (-15.8 Units) in games played on turf over the last 3 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in August games over the last 3 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) off a loss against a division rival over the last 3 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in weeks 5 through 9 over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 3-1 against the spread versus SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 3-1 straight up against SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY (5 - 1) at BRITISH COLUMBIA (4 - 2) - 8/17/2013, 9:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 5-3 against the spread versus BRITISH COLUMBIA over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 4-4 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Sunday, August 18
EDMONTON (1 - 5) at TORONTO (4 - 2) - 8/18/2013, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
EDMONTON is 3-2 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 4-1 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
HAMILTON vs. WINNIPEG
Hamilton is 1-6-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Winnipeg
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Hamilton's last 6 games on the road
Winnipeg is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Winnipeg is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Hamilton
MONTREAL vs. SASKATCHEWAN
Montreal is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Saskatchewan
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Montreal's last 10 games when playing on the road against Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Saskatchewan's last 6 games when playing Montreal
CALGARY vs. BRITISH COLUMBIA
Calgary is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Calgary's last 13 games
British Columbia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
British Columbia is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
EDMONTON vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Edmonton's last 9 games on the road
Edmonton is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Ti-Cats at Bombers: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+3.5, 51.5)
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats needed a bye week after edging the Edmonton Eskimos for their second victory. Hamilton - the most injury-riddled team in the league - hopes to be a little healthier when it visits the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday for the first game of a home-and-home set. Tiger-Cats quarterback Henry Burris leads the league in passing yards with 1,803 despite a depleted receiving corps, which should soon receive a boost when wide receiver Andy Fantuz returns.
The struggling Blue Bombers used their bye week to fire general manager Joe Mack and replace team CEO Garth Buchko with Wade Miller after a rough start put the team at the bottom of the East Division. Coach Tim Burke announced that third-string quarterback Max Hall will make his first career start Friday in an attempt to shake up Winnipeg’s aimless offense, which has scored more than 20 points once since Week 1. The one strength of the Blue Bombers remains their defense, which leads the league with 24 sacks.
ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (2-4): Along with wide receivers Fantuz and Ed Gant, defensive back Evan McCollough and linebacker Brandon Isaac are close to returning. Wide receiver Bakari Grant has been Burris’ favorite target in Fantuz’s absence, leading Hamilton with 408 receiving yards, but Grant has yet to catch a touchdown after recording five last year and could miss Friday’s game. First-year wide receiver Greg Ellingson has 395 yards and three touchdowns. Hamilton’s defense has not recorded an interception and is tied for last in the league with 11 sacks, part of the reason it has allowed a league-worst 187 points.
ABOUT THE BLUE BOMBERS (1-5): Hall will replace quarterback Justin Goltz, who completed 32-of-63 passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the last two games after taking over for injured starter Buck Pierce. Goltz told the media he was not given an explanation for the change, adding “everyone’s trying to search for a fast-fix and I don’t necessarily think one person is going to come in here and turn around our offense.” Defensive end Alex Hall has a league-leading eight sacks, but Winnipeg is struggling to defend the passing game, allowing eight passing touchdowns over its last three games.
TRENDS:
* The Tiger-Cats are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 Friday games.
* The Blue Bombers are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games.
* The over is 7-2 in the last nine meetings in Winnipeg.
* The Tiger-Cats are 1-5 ATS in their last six meetings.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. The Blue Bombers, who are on a four-game losing streak, are 0-3 at Investors Group Field - their new home.
2. Burris leads the Tiger-Cats with 139 rushing yards on 25 carries.
3. Hamilton defeated the Blue Bombers 25-20 at home with Pierce as Winnipeg’s quarterback in Week 3.
CFL Saturday: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Montreal Alouettes at Saskatchewan Roughriders (-11.5, 54)
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will try to rebound from their first loss when they host the floundering Montreal Alouettes on Saturday. The Roughriders would like to avoid the tailspin they found themselves in last year, when they lost five straight after winning their first three. One area in which Saskatchewan needs to improve to regain its winning form is on the offensive line, which allowed four sacks on quarterback Darian Durant last week after only allowing seven over the first five games.
The Alouettes face much more serious problems following a 38-13 rout at the hands of the rival Toronto Argonauts and the news that slotback Jamel Richardson will miss the remainder of the season because of a knee injury. General manager Jim Popp replacing coach Dan Hawkins on the sidelines has done little to reverse Montreal’s fortunes, while veteran quarterback Anthony Calvillo will have one less option available as he tries to salvage what is looking like his worst season in more than 10 years. Calvillo is completing 59 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and five interceptions.
ABOUT THE ALOUETTES (2-4): Rookie Tyron Carrier, who returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown in Week 1, will get another chance to return kicks for Montreal after running back Noel Devine fumbled three times in the loss to Toronto. Linebackers Chip Cox, Kyries Hebert and Shea Emry lead the team in tackles, sacks and interceptions, respectively, but Montreal’s defense is prone to losing focus for large portions of time. It surrendered three touchdowns to Argonauts quarterback Ricky Ray in a little over one quarter last week.
ABOUT THE ROUGHRIDERS (5-1): Running back Kory Sheets has a remarkable 845 rushing yards through six games, on pace to shatter the CFL single-season record of 2,065 yards set by Mike Pringle in 1998. Veteran slotback and all-time CFL receiving yards leader Geroy Simon has adjusted well to his new team, catching nine passes for 194 yards and one touchdown over his first three games. Durant’s favorite target has been slotback Weston Dressler, who has 387 receiving yards, while slotback Chris Getzlaf has five touchdown catches.
TRENDS:
* The over is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings in Saskatchewan.
* The over is 8-3 in Roughriders' last 11 games overall.
* Roughriders are 0-8 ATS in their last eight games in August.
* Alouettes are 1-7 ATS in their last eight Saturday games.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Montreal’s defense has allowed 177 points - second-most in the league.
2. Durant has yet to throw an interception.
3. Saskatchewan is 2-0 at home, where the 101st Grey Cup final will be played Nov. 24.
Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Lions (-3, 54)
The BC Lions might have a little revenge in mind Saturday when they host the Calgary Stampeders, who defeated them at BC Place in last year’s West Division final and again in Calgary in Week 1. The Lions are 3-0 at home this year, but if any team can ruin that record, it’s the red-hot Stampeders. Calgary has won four in a row and knocked off the division-leading Saskatchewan Roughriders 42-27 last week on the strength of four rushing touchdowns from running back Jon Cornish.
The Lions, who are coming off a bye week, have scored only 143 points and quarterback Travis Lulay has yet to throw for more than 300 yards in a game, leaving extra pressure on running back Andrew Harris, who was limited to 56 rushing yards in BC’s last contest. Calgary’s defense limited Harris to 20 yards on five carries in Week 1 and will try to do the same Saturday, with defensive lineman Charleston Hughes (five sacks) leading the charge. Veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn is likely to start for the Stampeders.
ABOUT THE STAMPEDERS (5-1): Cornish, who ran for 172 yards against the Lions in Week 1, has seven rushing touchdowns, on pace to eclipse the career-high of 11 he set last year. Glenn has completed 65-of-90 passes filling in for starter Drew Tate, who suffered a setback in his recovery from an elbow injury. Veteran slotback Nik Lewis leads Calgary’s receiving corps with 381 yards on 31 catches. Offensive lineman Dimitri Tsoumpas suffered a concussion last week, joining Tate on the injured list.
ABOUT THE LIONS (4-2): Wide receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux is embracing his return to the CFL following a two-year absence, averaging 20.2 yards per catch and leading BC with 384 receiving yards. Slotbacks Nick Moore (357) and Courtney Taylor (235) are also key contributors to the receiving corps. Linebacker Solomon Elimimian leads the team with 29 tackles as the Lions’ defense has surrendered more than 21 points in only two games - both losses.
TRENDS:
* The over is 14-2 in Stampeders last 16 games overall.
* The Stampeders are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 meetings in BC.
* The Lions are 4-0 ATS in their last four Saturday games.
* The under is 7-1 in the Lions' last eight games in August.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Cornish was named offensive player and Canadian player of the week after his performance against Saskatchewan.
2. Lulay has 193 rushing yards, while Calgary’s quarterbacks have combined for 95 yards on the ground.
3. The Lions have won their last nine regular-season home games.
Eskimos at Argos: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Edmonton Eskimos at Toronto Argonauts (-8, 52)
Injuries have not slowed the Toronto Argonauts, who are on a dominating three-game winning streak. The Argonauts will try to win four contests in a row for the first time since 2007 when they host the struggling Edmonton Eskimos on Sunday. Toronto running back Chad Kackert is out with a knee injury and starting quarterback Ricky Ray has missed most of the last two games, but the Argonauts defense - led by linebacker Robert McCune and defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell - allowed just 25 total points in the last two wins, giving backup quarterback Zach Collaros a chance to win.
The Eskimos must feel a little snake-bitten after losing each of their last two games on the final play - a failed one-yard run against the Montreal Alouettes and a missed 50-yard field goal against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Edmonton entered its bye week mired in a four-game losing streak and will be without linebacker JC Sherritt, who suffered a broken thumb against Hamilton. Sherritt, who set a CFL record for tackles last year with 130, anchors the Eskimos’ defense, and his absence puts even more pressure on quarterback Mike Reilly, who helms the league’s worst offense.
ABOUT THE ESKIMOS (1-5): Sherritt could be out anywhere from two to six weeks, leaving Edmonton’s defense in the hands of linebacker Damaso Munoz, who leads the team with 41 tackles. The Eskimos’ defensive line has combined for 12 of the unit’s 14 sacks. Reilly has connected with slotback Fred Stamps for 401 yards, but only four Edmonton players have more than 100 receiving yards thus far. Reilly has also ran for 208 yards, second to running back Hugh Charles, who has 294.
ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (4-2): Ray (knee) should be ready for Sunday and is on a career-best pace when healthy, completing 113-of-148 passes for 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. Running back Curtis Steele has done a good job replacing Kackert, recording 116 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Wide receiver Dontrelle Inman, who has been battling injuries all season, might be cleared to play on Sunday. Inman has eight catches for 118 yards and one touchdown in his second season.
TRENDS:
* Eskimos are 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall.
* Argonauts are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
* The over is 10-2-1 in the Eskimos last 13 games overall.
* Eskimos are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 meetings in Toronto.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. The Argonauts won seven straight games to finish the 2007 season atop the East Division, but lost 19-9 at home to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the division final.
2. Eskimos CB Aaron Grymes, who recorded an interception against Hamilton, is out indefinitely after being hurt in a collision during practice.
3. Toronto SB Chad Owens has 1,154 total combined yards after returning a field goal 118 yards for a touchdown last week against Montreal.