Canadian bacon: CFL Week 2 betting preview and picks
Toronto Argonauts at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+1, 48)
Winnipeg quarterback Buck Pierce was hit hard on the blind side in the third quarter of the Bombers’ 24-16 win over the Tiger-Cats. But the injury-prone Pierce got back up, finished the game and will play Friday.
The Bombers, however, weren’t able to avoid the injury bug altogether. Receiver Kito Poblah (knee), SB Terrence Edwards (arm), WR Greg Carr (hamstring) are all hurt, although only Poblah is expected to miss Friday’s game. Defensive end Odell Willis (groin) and DB Jovon Johnson (hip) will play despite injuries, while LB Henoc Muamba (knee) and S Brady Browne (biceps) will miss at least a few weeks.
Toronto’s top offensive weapons Corey Boyd and Chad Owens picked up where they left off last year, helping the Argos steal a 23-21 win in Calgary last week. But unfortunately for Toronto bettors, the Argos still must rely on Cleo Lemon at pivot. He only completed 16-of-30 passes with 186 yards, one TD and one pick.
To keep things in perspective, if Calgary hadn’t miss three of four field goal opportunities, it would have won against the Argos.
Pick: Winnipeg
Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Lions (-2.5, 53.5)
The Stampeders are coming to Vancouver with the firm intent to rebound from a loss to the Argos. Calgary has its share of injuries after one week. Defensive tackle Justin Phillips (toe), K Rob Maver (leg), G Dimitri Tsoumpas (hamstring) and S Malik Jackson (concussion) are probably all out against the Lions. Receivers Ken-Yon Rambo and Jabari Arthur are questionable.
British Columbia lost its first game of the season, 30-26 in Montreal, and dropped both home games against Calgary last year. The Lions will have DB Stanley Franks and of S J.R. LaRose back in action for Week 2. Slot back Nick Moore, who dropped three passes, two of them possibly for TDs, is out with an elbow injury. Rookie Steven Black will replace him and showed great potential during training camp.
In any case, with Geroy Simon, Paris Jackson and youngsters Shawn Gore and Akeem Foster, QB Travis Lulay has many options when it comes to throwing the ball. In the loss against the Alouettes, Lulay completed 26-of-45 attempts with 366 yards and a TD.
The Stampeders secondary still must prove itself and that could play in the favor of B.C. The Lions have also shown some pop on special teams, especially with newcomer Tim Brown (191 yards on nine returns, one of them being a 97 yard TD).
Pick: B.C.
Montreal Alouettes at Saskatchewan Roughriders (+3, 54.5)
Turnovers and a soft defense cost the Riders a loss against the surprising Edmonton Eskimos in their first game. Darian Durant proved once again he can help the team as much as hurt it. He was picked off three times, although gained 339 passing yards with two TDs. But to be honest, he will need better protection from his offensive line.
On the other side of the ball, DB John Eubanks, who replaced the injured Chris McKenzie, got burned for two touchdowns while the pass defense was almost non-existent. Safety James Patrick was caught off balance more than once.
None of this is good news with the Montreal Alouettes visiting. Anthony Calvillo completed 22-of-30 passes for 312 yards, three TDs and no interceptions, while Brendan Whitaker ran 17 times for 117 yards, in a 30-26 win over the Lions.
The Alouettes did lose excellent DB Jerald Brown early in that game (ankle) but they reactivated De Audra Dix and do have depth in the secondary starting with the resilient Jeff Hecht.
Pick: Montreal
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Edmonton Eskimos (-1, 52)
The Tiger-Cats played poorly and deserved to lose against Winnipeg at home last week. Quarterback Kevin Glenn completed only 18-of-31 attempts for 187 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Head coach Marcel Bellefeuille pulled him out of the game and Glenn felt disrespected.
Another possible crisis to manage involves talkative RB Avon Cobourne, who was seen speaking his mind to Arland Bruce after the latter took a stupid penalty.
The only positive note coming out of the opener is that the Tiger-Cats defense is once again a force to be reckoned with. It recorded five sacks and allowed fewer first downs and total yards than any other team in Week 1.
The Tiger-Cats probably have more talent but these Eskimos seemed to have better unity, despite the fact that they have 21 newcomers on the 42-player active roster.
Jason Barnes, whose career seemed in jeopardy because of serious injuries last year, caught five passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the 42-28 win against the Riders. Ricky Ray also showcased his skills with 294 yards passing with three TDs.
The Eskimos, who finished dead last in the West last year, showed great poise and lot of opportunism in Week 1. They actually dominated and all aspects of the game against Saskatchewan and CFL bettors should see them in a new light.
Pick: Edmonton
Toronto Argonauts at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+1, 48)
Winnipeg quarterback Buck Pierce was hit hard on the blind side in the third quarter of the Bombers’ 24-16 win over the Tiger-Cats. But the injury-prone Pierce got back up, finished the game and will play Friday.
The Bombers, however, weren’t able to avoid the injury bug altogether. Receiver Kito Poblah (knee), SB Terrence Edwards (arm), WR Greg Carr (hamstring) are all hurt, although only Poblah is expected to miss Friday’s game. Defensive end Odell Willis (groin) and DB Jovon Johnson (hip) will play despite injuries, while LB Henoc Muamba (knee) and S Brady Browne (biceps) will miss at least a few weeks.
Toronto’s top offensive weapons Corey Boyd and Chad Owens picked up where they left off last year, helping the Argos steal a 23-21 win in Calgary last week. But unfortunately for Toronto bettors, the Argos still must rely on Cleo Lemon at pivot. He only completed 16-of-30 passes with 186 yards, one TD and one pick.
To keep things in perspective, if Calgary hadn’t miss three of four field goal opportunities, it would have won against the Argos.
Pick: Winnipeg
Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Lions (-2.5, 53.5)
The Stampeders are coming to Vancouver with the firm intent to rebound from a loss to the Argos. Calgary has its share of injuries after one week. Defensive tackle Justin Phillips (toe), K Rob Maver (leg), G Dimitri Tsoumpas (hamstring) and S Malik Jackson (concussion) are probably all out against the Lions. Receivers Ken-Yon Rambo and Jabari Arthur are questionable.
British Columbia lost its first game of the season, 30-26 in Montreal, and dropped both home games against Calgary last year. The Lions will have DB Stanley Franks and of S J.R. LaRose back in action for Week 2. Slot back Nick Moore, who dropped three passes, two of them possibly for TDs, is out with an elbow injury. Rookie Steven Black will replace him and showed great potential during training camp.
In any case, with Geroy Simon, Paris Jackson and youngsters Shawn Gore and Akeem Foster, QB Travis Lulay has many options when it comes to throwing the ball. In the loss against the Alouettes, Lulay completed 26-of-45 attempts with 366 yards and a TD.
The Stampeders secondary still must prove itself and that could play in the favor of B.C. The Lions have also shown some pop on special teams, especially with newcomer Tim Brown (191 yards on nine returns, one of them being a 97 yard TD).
Pick: B.C.
Montreal Alouettes at Saskatchewan Roughriders (+3, 54.5)
Turnovers and a soft defense cost the Riders a loss against the surprising Edmonton Eskimos in their first game. Darian Durant proved once again he can help the team as much as hurt it. He was picked off three times, although gained 339 passing yards with two TDs. But to be honest, he will need better protection from his offensive line.
On the other side of the ball, DB John Eubanks, who replaced the injured Chris McKenzie, got burned for two touchdowns while the pass defense was almost non-existent. Safety James Patrick was caught off balance more than once.
None of this is good news with the Montreal Alouettes visiting. Anthony Calvillo completed 22-of-30 passes for 312 yards, three TDs and no interceptions, while Brendan Whitaker ran 17 times for 117 yards, in a 30-26 win over the Lions.
The Alouettes did lose excellent DB Jerald Brown early in that game (ankle) but they reactivated De Audra Dix and do have depth in the secondary starting with the resilient Jeff Hecht.
Pick: Montreal
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Edmonton Eskimos (-1, 52)
The Tiger-Cats played poorly and deserved to lose against Winnipeg at home last week. Quarterback Kevin Glenn completed only 18-of-31 attempts for 187 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Head coach Marcel Bellefeuille pulled him out of the game and Glenn felt disrespected.
Another possible crisis to manage involves talkative RB Avon Cobourne, who was seen speaking his mind to Arland Bruce after the latter took a stupid penalty.
The only positive note coming out of the opener is that the Tiger-Cats defense is once again a force to be reckoned with. It recorded five sacks and allowed fewer first downs and total yards than any other team in Week 1.
The Tiger-Cats probably have more talent but these Eskimos seemed to have better unity, despite the fact that they have 21 newcomers on the 42-player active roster.
Jason Barnes, whose career seemed in jeopardy because of serious injuries last year, caught five passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the 42-28 win against the Riders. Ricky Ray also showcased his skills with 294 yards passing with three TDs.
The Eskimos, who finished dead last in the West last year, showed great poise and lot of opportunism in Week 1. They actually dominated and all aspects of the game against Saskatchewan and CFL bettors should see them in a new light.
Pick: Edmonton
