We’ve reached the final weeks of the CFL season, and despite everything that has been finalized, a lot remains uncertain. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders can both claim a playoff spot this week, while the Montreal Alouettes look to remain in the hunt for first place in the East, and the Edmonton Elks look to stay alive.
Vancouver-based reporter Jesse Abbott remains the lead for our straight-up pick, while Regina-based reporter Brendan McGuire has a strong lead in our pick against the spread. Below are our picks for Week 20 in the CFL.
Friday, October 17: Saskatchewan Roughriders (-7) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers 8:00 pm EDT
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are favorites to take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night as the Green and White are sending their B-team to Princes Auto Stadium. AJ Ouellette, keesin johnsonSamuel Amilius, Jermarcus Hardrick, Micah Johnson and Marcus Sayles are among those who will not dress with the first spot already secured, while Trevor Harris, Kiyan Schaefer-Baker and Logan Ferland are listed as backups. off he goes Jake Maier will make his second start of the season at quarterbackMeanwhile, the bombers Still need a win and some help to secure a playoff spotBut Veteran Canadian receiver Nick Demski will not be there to help them do so, but will American running backs Kerrick Whitfall and cornerback Demario Houston,
Abbot: This game would end up closer than it should have been, but not close enough to cover.
Simply: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
Ballantine: The Bombers need a win and a loss to make it to the final chaos of the four 9-9 teams in the West. This is what they win.
Simply: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
Philosopher: The attackers must have it.
Simply: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
Gasson: Winnipeg just needs to win this. Do I believe in their crime enough to cover it up? I don’t know.
Simply: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
Herrera-Vergara: Winnipeg’s back is against the wall, while Riders will have their backup
Simply: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
Hodge: If the Blue Bombers can’t beat Saskatchewan’s backups, they should pack it in now.
Simply: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
Hoskins: The Bombers get a second tier of riders with key guys rested for the playoffs. It should be straight.
Simply: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
Klein: I know the Riders have backups, but I don’t think Corey Mays is going to let his team down no matter who is playing.
Simply: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
McGuire: Riders will remain calm and relaxed while playing with house money. The bombers will be strong. But I still like Winnipeg, on a night when Saskatchewan will be more worried about the Blue Jays than the Roughriders at home.
Simply: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
Thomas: Saskatchewan’s second best defeated Winnipeg’s best.
Simply: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
Total sum simply: Winnipeg 9, Saskatchewan 1.
Total against spread: Winnipeg 6, Saskatchewan 4.
Friday, October 17: Edmonton Elks (-6) at BC Lions at 10:30 PM EDT
The BC Lions are six-point home favorites to take on the Edmonton Elks on Friday night, where they will look to keep a strong foot in the ring in an effort to clinch second place in the West Division. Former Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Dejon Allen will return for the Lions at right tackle While Jerel Broxton will return at left tackle after a lengthy injury layoff. Meanwhile, Edmonton is Fielding is essentially the same lineup It took last week’s win, and needs another win To keep their faint playoff hopes alive.,
Abbot: Rourke has been brutal with the Elks throughout his career. It seems fitting that he would be the one to put them down.
Straight-up: BC Against spread: BC
Ballantine: The CFL Chaos Machine (patent pending) requires the Elks to win this game to survive – individual pick’em records be damned.
Simply: Edmonton. Against the spread: edmonton.
Philosopher: I would prefer to see the Elks win because of the potential for chaos, but I think BC is a better team.
Straight-up: BC Against the Spread: Edmonton.
Gasson: If this game were in Edmonton, it could be interesting. In the comfortable confines of BC Place, I expect the Lions to be fine.
Straight-up: BC Against spread: BC
Herrera-Vergara: The Lions will play at home, they want a home playoff game and they need to get it.
Straight-up: BC Against spread: BC
Hodge: The Elks are the best story in the CFL right now, but the Lions are the best team in the CFL right now.
Straight-up: BC Against spread: BC
Hoskins: Edmonton still has a chance, but BC is firing on all cylinders. The Elks keep it close.
Straight-up: BC Against the Spread: Edmonton.
Klein: Nathan Rourke has found another gear, and now faces an Edmonton pass defense that he has tortured twice.
Straight-up: BC Against spread: BC
McGuire: Should be a great game, but home sweet dome will be very difficult for the Elks.
Straight-up: BC Against the Spread: Edmonton.
Thomas: do you believe in miracles?
Simply: Edmonton. Against the spread: edmonton.
Total sum simply: BC 8, Edmonton 2.
Total against spread: BC 5, Edmonton 5.
Saturday, October 18: Montreal Alouettes (+9) at Ottawa Redblacks 3:00 PM EDT
The Ottawa Redblacks are nine-point home underdogs to the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday afternoon, with nothing to play for after falling out of postseason contention a few weeks ago. Tyree Adams will make his first start at quarterback since 2023Dustin Crum is dealing with a head injury. Meanwhile, Montreal is essentially healthy and could still hold on to first place in the East Division After defeating Ottawa 30–10 on Thanksgiving.The Alouettes will also have benefit of angry davis alexanderWho called last week’s performance “probably the worst game” of his career.
Abbot: Montreal would sleep enough to let Ottawa cover the second time.
Simply: Montreal. Against Proliferation: Ottawa.
Ballantine: Yes, what else is there?
Simply: Montreal. Against proliferation: Montreal.
Philosopher: I want to believe that Redblack is angry, but they haven’t given me anything to believe.
Simply: Montreal. Against Proliferation: Ottawa.
Gasson: See last week’s comment.
Simply: Montreal. Against proliferation: Montreal.
Herrera-Vergara: The Els are already playing playoff football. Not redblacks at all.
Simply: Montreal. Against proliferation: Montreal.
Hodge: The Redblacks have fallen, and they cannot get up.
Simply: Montreal. Against proliferation: Montreal.
Hoskins: this is one Ottawa Development Sports. Montreal repeated its W from last week.
Simply: Montreal. Against proliferation: Montreal.
Klein: The Alouettes are better at football than the Redblacks.
Simply: Montreal. Against proliferation: Montreal.
McGuire: Tyree Adams looked like an exciting player when he was added two years ago, and I’m sure he’ll have some magic this weekend.
Simply: Ottawa. Against Proliferation: Ottawa.
Thomas: It’s hard to play the same team twice. It’s hard when you can take the opponent for granted.
Simply: Ottawa. Against Proliferation: Ottawa.
Total sum simply: Montreal 8, Ottawa 2.
Total against spread: Montreal 6, Ottawa 4.
Saturday, October 18: Toronto Argonauts (-9) at Calgary Stampeders 7:00 pm EDT
The Calgary Stampeders are nine-point home favorites over the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday night as they look to keep their hopes of hosting a playoff game alive. The Stampeders snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over Hamilton last week, although it appears running back Josh Coker and safety Damon Webb will both miss this game. Meanwhile, the Argonauts will end their season before Week 21 after falling out of playoff contention a few weeks ago.
Abbot: RIP Jarrett Doege. We hardly know you.
Simply: Calgary. Against proliferation: calgary.
Ballantine: I tried to maintain a little bit, I really did.
Simply: Calgary. Against proliferation: calgary.
Philosopher: This is a must have in tickets
Simply: Calgary. Against proliferation: calgary.
Gasson: Who are the tickets? Not sure, but it should be enough to win. Toronto will keep it close, like they do.
Simply: Calgary. Against Propagation: Toronto.
Herrera-Vergara: Calgary has a lot riding on it, but Toronto fights.
Simply: Calgary. Against Propagation: Toronto.
Hodge: The Argonauts kept it close in their last game of the season.
Simply: Calgary. Against Propagation: Toronto.
Hoskins: Can Toronto do the job I’ve asked Hamilton to do the last two weeks? No.
Simply: Calgary. Against Propagation: Toronto.
Klein: Stamp is desperate. The Argos are just seeing what they have in store for next year. Calgary delivers another blow.
Simply: Calgary. Against proliferation: calgary.
McGuire: Boatman seemed to be fine in Regina and seems to be embracing this pervert role. I don’t trust stamps anymore.
Simply: Toronto. Against Propagation: Toronto.
Thomas: Ryan Dinwiddie helps facilitate playoff upset.
Simply: Toronto. Against Propagation: Toronto.
Total sum simply: Calgary 8, Toronto 2.
Total against spread: Toronto 6, Calgary 4.
2025 record (straight-up)
Abbott – 48-25
McGuire – 46-27
Hoskins – 46-27
Thomas – 46-27
Hodge – 44-29
Ballantine – 44-29
Herrera-Vergara – 44-29
Klein – 42-31
Gasson – 38-35
Philosopher – 37-36
2025 record (against the spread)
McGuire – 49-24
Thomas – 41-32
Abbott – 40-33
Herrera-Vergara – 39-34
Philoso – 38-35
Ballantine – 36-37
Hodge – 34-39
Hoskins – 34-39
Klein – 34-39
Gasson – 33-40
