Cnotes 2017 Canadian Football League Picks/Trends/News thru Grey Cup !!

[CNOTES]

How long can the Under stay hot for CFL bettors?


The season, the Over/Under heading into Week 4 is 4-8 with games averaging just 52.9 points scored per game compared to an average Over/Under line of 54.6. This isn’t a one-season trend either.


The Canadian Football League is known as a pass-happy league with plenty of big plays and high-scoring contests. But that’s not been the case for the first three weeks of the season.


The season, the Over/Under heading into Week 4 is 4-8 with games averaging just 52.9 points scored per game compared to an average Over/Under line of 54.6. This isn’t a one-season trend either. The Under is 40-19-1 (66 percent win rate) in Weeks 1 to 4 in the CFL since 2014.


“I think a big part of it is that teams are getting the early-season rust out,” Greg Sindall, an oddsmaker with Canadian-based sportsbook SportsInteraction.com tells Covers. “Players are figuring out how to play with new teammates, learning each other’s tendencies and strengths. And some teams have new coaches, so the players are learning all the new plays and schemes.


“I expect things will start to even out and we’ll start seeing some higher-scoring games again soon.”


The pattern seems to break by Week 5. The Over/Under mark in Weeks 5 to 20 last season was 35-29 with the total average of points scored per game at 54.4 while the average total was 53.2 over the same period.


It may not be the NFL, but there are football odds hitting the board in Las Vegas this week as the CFL kicks off north of the border. We talk to Johnny Avello of the Wynn Las Vegas about all things CFL betting, including Grey Cup futures and the most bet games for Week 1.


This season, the B.C. Lions, Toronto Argonauts and Montreal Alouettes are a combined 0-9 Over/Under heading into Week 4. The Lions and Argos’ Under success can be credited to both teams' ability to stop opponents from putting up big numbers on the scoreboard. The Als, however, are a different story.


The average total points scored in Montreal's three games this season is just 38. It averages only 312 yards per game and just 7.1 yards per pass attempt. Montreal possesses the league’s leading rusher in Tyrell Sutton but he didn’t get his first carry until the second quarter against the Lions last week.


“Let your playmakers make plays. Put the ball in their hands,” Alouettes slotback Nik Lewis told the Montreal Gazette. “If they can’t make the plays, you need new playmakers or something’s got to change.”


This is a perfect example of what Sindall is talking about, with teams still searching for their identity early into the schedule.


CFL Week 4 kicks off Thursday night with the Argos visiting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-3, 52.5) while the Alouettes (+5.5) host the Calgary Stampeders on Friday. The total for the Montreal-Calgary game opened at 49.5 but has dropped to 48.5.

 

[CNOTES]

CFL


Thursday, July 13


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Thursday's CFL betting preview and odds: Argonauts at Blue Bombers
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Winnipeg quarterback Matt Nichols completed 27-of-40 passes for 267 yards and a touchdown, but threw two interceptions, including a pick six in the third quarter last week against Calgary.


Toronto Argonauts at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-3, 52.5)


The Toronto Argonauts look to continue their promising start to the season when they hit the road to take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday. The Argonauts scored 25 points in the second half en route to a 26-25 victory against the Ottawa Redblacks to move into first place in the East Division, and hope to take another step in the right direction by beating the Blue Bombers for the first time since Nov. 6, 2015.


Toronto has dropped nine straight games against West Division opponents dating back to last season, including both meetings against Winnipeg in 2016 by an average margin of 17 points. Winnipeg is left to go back to the drawing board following a disheartening 29-10 defeat to the Calgary Stampeders. The Blue Bombers harbored serious hopes of challenging the Stampeders for West Division supremacy, but were shut out in the second half en route to their seventh consecutive loss in the series, and hope to bounce back by downing the Argonauts for the third straight time. "It's not a gloomy feeling around here as we lost a football game to a good team," Winnipeg quarterback Matt Nichols told reporters. "We're going to come back and we have 16 more of these as it's a long season."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TSN, RDS

LINE HISTORY: The Bombers opened as three-point home favorites and the total hit the betting boards at 52.5. As of Wednesday afternoon, neither number has moved.

ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS, 0-3 O/U): Ricky Ray threw for 366 yards and two touchdowns to become the sixth player in CFL history to throw for 300 TDs in his career. "I will remember this one a little bit more because it came in a big win," Ray told reporters. "It will be nice when I'm old to think back and remember that was the one where we were able to come back in Ottawa and get to that 300 mark." S.J. Green had a career night as he caught 10 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown while Victor Butler continued his assault on opposing quarterbacks as he recorded three sacks to take his total to a league-leading seven through three games.

ABOUT THE BLUE BOMBERS (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U): Nichols completed 27-of-40 passes for 267 yards and a touchdown, but threw two interceptions, including a pick six in the third quarter that turned the tide in Calgary's favor. Weston Dressler caught six passes for 76 yards against the Stampeders to reach 9,000 receiving yards for his career. Linebacker Ian Wild, who recorded 70 tackles in 12 games last season, left the game with an upper-body injury and is out for the foreseeable future while defensive end Tristan Okpalaugo missed the fourth quarter with an undisclosed knock and is doubtful for the clash against his former team.


TRENDS:


* Argonauts are 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games overall.
* Blue Bombers are 6-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
* Under is 5-1 in Argonauts last 6 games overall.
* Over is 5-0 in Blue Bombers last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.

CONSENSUS: The home favorite Blue Bombers are getting 56 percent of the action from users and the Over is picking up 51 percent of the totals wagers.


EXTRA POINTS:


* Ray leads the CFL in passing yards (1,199).
* Winnipeg K Justin Medlock has made 24 straight field goals dating back to last season.
* Blue Bombers DB T.J. Heath tops the league in interceptions (three) after registering a CFL-best seven in 2016.

 

[CNOTES]

THURSDAY, JULY 13


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


TOR at WPG 08:30 PM


WPG -3.5


U 55.0

 

[CNOTES]

GAME RECAP
HARRIS LEADS THE WAY AS BLUE BOMBERS DOWN ARGOS IN WINNIPEG
CFL.CA STAFF


WINNIPEG – After a disappointing loss last week against the Stampeders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers QB Matt Nichols said that his team owed it to the home fans to give them a win on Thursday night. Nichols was a man of his word, and the Blue Bombers battled their way to a 33-25 victory over the Argonauts in a game filled with spectacular special teams play.


Bombers fans barely had time to find their seats before* the home team gave them a reason to get on their feet, as KR Ryan Lankford returned the opening kickoff 105 yards to open the game’s scoring before a snap of offence had been played.


Manitoba native Anthony Coombs made a highlight-reel play of his own on Toronto’s first possession, tipping a would-be interception out of the hands of DB T.J. Heath and into his own, pulling it down for a 39-yard gain. The Argos’ offence stalled, but K Lirim Hajrullahu successfully converted the field goal attempt.


Not content to watch their opponents steal all the special teams glory, the Argonauts pounced on their next opportunity. RB/KR Martese Jackson showed off his fancy footwork to the Blue Bombers bench, tip-toeing along the sideline before exploding upfield on his way to a 78-yard punt return touchdown.


After another defensive stop, the Argonauts’ offence appeared to be destined for more points, but an errant throw from QB Ricky Ray was poached by Bombers’ DB Maurice Leggett for the game’s first turnover.


Bombers K Justin Medlock made sure the Argonauts paid for that error, kicking home a 45-yard field goal and tying the game at 10.


After Hajrullahu edged the Argos back into the lead with a field goal, Matt Nichols got the Bombers offence moving again, finding SB Weston Dressler for a big gain down the left sideline. After moving into striking distance, RB Andrew Harris finished the job, plunging into the end zone to help his team re-take the lead.


Martese Jackson clearly wasn’t pleased with just one return touchdown on the night, as he sliced through the Bombers coverage team on the ensuing kickoff, sprinting 105 yards and finding the end zone again. Unfortunately for the Argos, a blocking foul nullified the score, and after two red zone drops they’d settle for another field goal.


Amazingly, Jackson wasn’t even done with the first half. After another Argos defensive stop, Jackson used a well-timed spin move and his rapid acceleration to take the Bombers punt back 67 yards to begin another Argos drive in enemy territory. Jackson appeared to have a laneway to the end zone once again, but he ran out of steam after a half full of long kick returns for the CFL rookie.


The half ended on a flurry of field goals, including a 55-yarder from Medlock. The two kickers combined for seven field goals in a half dominated by stellar special teams play.


The Argonauts opened the half with a long drive, chewing up almost seven minutes of game clock. But once again, Toronto’s offence was stymied in Winnipeg territory, and Hajrullahu kicked home his sixth field goal of the night.


Nichols and the Bombers’ offence responded with a long drive of their own, picking their way through the Argos defence through the air. Once in the red zone, Winnipeg went back to Harris, who scored his second touchdown of the night to help the Bombers re-take the lead.


Medlock added a couple field goals in a defensively sound fourth quarter, giving the Bombers an eight point lead at the three minute warning.


With Toronto driving in the final minute of play, it was former Argonaut TJ Heath who iced it for the Bombers, recording his second interception of the game and sealing the Bombers victory.


After four straight to start the season the Argonauts will get a well-deserved bye in week five, before heading to Saskatchewan for a match-up with the Roughriders in week six. The Blue Bombers will head to the West coast, where they’ll take on the B.C Lions in week five action.

 

[CNOTES]

Friday’s six-pack


— White Sox traded Jose Quintana to the Cubs for four prospects, one of whom is Eloy Jimenez, considered a top-10 prospect.


— Since 2007, Ball State is 31-13 vs spread as a football road underdog.


— Western Michigan opens the season at USC/Michigan State; good for the accountants, bad for the players/coaches.


— Since 2014, Northwestern is 10-4 against the spread on the road.


— Southern Utah’s Randy Onwuasor scored 23.6 pts/game LY; now he is transferring, a huge blow to the Thunderbirds’ Big Sky hopes next winter.


— When Rip Hamilton went to the Chicago Bulls in 2011, he paid CJ Watson $15K cash, so he could wear #32, which had been Watson’s number.


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Friday’s List of 13: Random stuff with the weekend here……..

13) Justin Bour hit 22 homers in the first round of Home Run Derby Monday night; he didn’t advance, but the reaction his two teammates (Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna) had after he finished his round was one of the things that makes sports great.


Stanton/Ozuna are both more famous than Bour, but their joy at his success was very cool- when you have teammates that enjoy other teammates’ successes, that makes things fun. It was refreshing to see.


12) You could wager in Las Vegas on whether the first pitch of the All-Star Game would be a ball or a strike. Turns out Jose Altuve swung/missed at the first pitch.


11) Joey Votto is a great player, but he is 0-10 in All-Star Games, tied with Terry Moore for most AB’s in All-Star Games without getting a hit.


10) Arizona Diamondbacks are usually short on pitching. On December 8, 2009, they made this trade:


Arizona got: Edwin Jackson, Ian Kennedy
Detroit got: Max Scherzer, Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, Daniel Sclereth
New York (A) got: Curtis Granderson


Not a great trade by the Diamondbacks. Scherzer is 126-59 since leaving Arizona.


9) PJ Carlesimo said De’Aaron Fox and Jayson Tatum were the two most impressive rookies in the Las Vegas summer league.


8) New England Patriots have had the same coordinators since 2012. Every other team in the NFL has had at least one coordinator change in the last two years.


7) Atlanta Falcons have a new domed stadium opening this fall: at least the food will be affordable. $2 hot dogs, $3 nachos, $5 for a Bud Light. Tickets to the games are probably expensive as hell, but the food is definitely reasonably priced.


6) Random fact: Oakland A’s assistant general manager Dan Feinstein, in charge of pro scouting and player personnel, was a Medieval European History major at Cal-Davis. Not sure if they had baseball in medieval Europe, but at least the guy went to a state college.


5) They had 7,024 people at the AAA All-Star Game in Tacoma Wednesday night. Minor league baseball is solid, affordable entertainment.


4) Suns’ GM Ryan McDonough signed a player named Mike James, who at one time played ball at Eastern Arizona College, a school McDonough said he had never heard of (me either). James went on to play at Lamar, and then in Europe for a while.


Eastern Arizona is in Thatcher, AZ; its teams are known as the Gila Monsters.


3) Las Vegas sports books saved around $100,000 because a lot of people who bet on the Cubs to win the World Series last year decided to keep their winning tickets as souvenirs, rather than cash them in. The 180-day deadline to cash winning tickets passed in May.


2) Every NFL team got $244M from the league’s national revenue sharing program last year; that is $7.8B in total revenues and thats before a ticket is sold in the stadiums. Must be nice.


1) Kid Rock might run for the US Senate from Michigan; Dwayne (Rock) Johnson might run for President. This is life in 2017.

 

[CNOTES]

WEST DIVISION


RK TEAM GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV


1 Calgary 3 2 0 1 5 103 80 1-0-0 1-0-1 1-0-0

2 Edmonton 2 2 0 0 4 53 46 1-0-0 1-0-0 1-0-0


3 Winnipeg 3 2 1 0 4 86 94 1-1-0 1-0-0 1-1-0

4 BC 3 2 1 0 4 78 61 0-1-0 2-0-0 0-1-0

5 Saskatchewan 3 1 2 0 2 93 80 1-1-0 0-1-0 0-1-0




EAST DIVISION


RK TEAM GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV


1 Toronto 4 2 2 0 4 98 101 1-1-0 1-1-0 2-0-0

2 Montreal 3 1 2 0 2 52 62 1-1-0 0-1-0 0-0-0


3 Ottawa 3 0 2 1 1 95 100 0-1-1 0-1-0 0-1-0

4 Hamilton 2 0 2 0 0 35 69 0-0-0 0-2-0 0-1-0

 

[CNOTES]

CFL Record: Best Bets & Opinions


Date W-L-T % Units


07/13/2017....................1-1-0..............50.00%.......................-0.50
07/08/2017....................1-3-0..............25.00%.....................-11.50
07/07/2017....................1-1-0..............50.00%.......................-0.50
07/06/2017....................2-0-0............100.00%....................+10.00
07/01/2017....................1-1-0..............50.00%.......................-0.50
06/30/2017....................2-2-0..............50.00%.......................-0.20
06/29/2017................... 0-2-0............... 0.00%.................... -11.00
06/25/2017................... 1-1-0............. 50.00%...................... -0.50
06/24/2017................... 1-1-0 .............50.00% ......................-0.50
06/23/2017................... 2-0-0............ 100.00%................... +10.00
06/22/2017................... 0-2-0............... 0.00%.................... -11.00


Total............................ATS.............. .........O/U.....................Total


07/13/2017....................1 - 0.....................0 - 1 ....................- 0.50
07/08/2017....................1 - 1-----------------0 - 2.....................-11.50
07/07/2017....................1 - 0.....................0 - 1...................... -0.50
07/06/2017....................1 - 0.....................1 - 0.....................+10.00
07/01/2017....................0 - 1.....................1 - 0.......................- 0.50
06/30/2017....................1 - 1.....................1 - 1.......................- 0.20
06/29/2017................... 0- 1..................... 0 - 1..................... -11.00
06/25/2017....................0 - 1.....................1 - 0........................-0.50
06/24/2017................... 1 - 0 ............. ......0 - 1........................-0.50
06/23/2017....................1 - 0.....................1 - 0....................+ 10.00
06/22/2017....................0 - 1.....................0 - 1 ....................- 11.00

 

[CNOTES]

Friday's Best Bets
July 13, 2017

Week 4 CFL Best Bets


We've hit Week 4 of the 2017 CFL season already and the four games on the card this week are all about cross-country matchups. All four games pit an East team vs a West team, and with only two meetings a year between these foes, there isn't often the same hostility involved in the games as you typically see with rivalry games.


However, there are two games on Friday's double-header that are very attractive from a betting standpoint and it's those two contests that I'm looking to attack this week.

BetLuckys.ag Odds: Calgary (-4.5) vs. Montreal; Total set at 48.5


BetLuckys.ag Best Bet: Montreal +4.5


This game opened up at -5.5 and has already seen some action on the home side and I've got to agree with it. Any concerns of betting into a bad number here should be minimal as Montreal is a very live home dog for the outright win here, and anything over 3 points is still a solid cushion. The Alouettes can ill-afford to drop three in a row after winning a nail-biter in Week 1, although they have faced the best three teams in the West in Weeks 2, 3, and 4.


The good news for Montreal here is the fact that the home team has gone 7-0 SU the last seven times these two organizations have met (9-1 SU last 10), and the underdog is 7-3 ATS in those games. Those contests have typically been low-scoring for those total players out there, but this is all about the side for me.


Aside from those strong trends favoring the home side and the underdog – both Montreal in this case – Calgary is in a rough spot of their own. This will be the third week of travel for the Stampeders and it's not like they've been short trips either. Calgary began the season in Ottawa, went home for the rematch with the Redblacks in Week 2, hopped over to Winnipeg last week, and go as far East as they can in a season with this week's game against Montreal.


Even with it being relatively early on in the year, all that travel is going to catch up to this team eventually, and given that this field in Montreal has been a house of horrors for Calgary QB Bo Levi Mitchell and his teammates in the past, - Calgary's last three games here have all been SU losses by 9+ points when they were laying -7, -9, and -9.5 - grabbing the points is the way to go.


BetLuckys.ag Odds: Ottawa vs. Edmonton (-3.5); Total set at 57.5


BetLuckys.ag Best Bet: Over 57.5


This is another game that's seen significant line movement already as Edmonton opened up as 6-point favorites at home and have seen plenty of money go against them already. I'm not sure if most of that action is following the narrative of the defending champs from Ottawa being a desperate bunch in search of their first SU victory, but at this current line, there is little to no value in the side. Yet, in terms of the total, this is the highest number for any game on the board this week and I still don't believe it's high enough.


Ottawa couldn't get out of their own way for much of their 2nd half collapse against Toronto last week, but the offense could still move the ball when they were rolling and that shouldn't change here. The Redblacks have averaged 31.6 points/game so far in this young season and thanks to a bad defense behind them on the other side of the ball (33.3 points allowed/game), they are still winless on the year. None of that should change dramatically this week in Edmonton as we should see Ottawa stay true to their early season course as one of the better 'over' teams in the CFL this year.


Finally, we can't forget about the post-bye angle for this game as Edmonton had last week off to rest and prepare. So far this year, teams that have come off a bye week are 2-0 O/U and allowed 38.5 points/game.


Edmonton's defense should be able to bring that average down a bit, but don't be shocked to see them give up 30+ to this desperate Redblacks team and be forced to push the ball up and down the field themselves. The Eskimos are 6-2 O/U after a bye week as an organization themselves the past few years, and with a 10-4 O/U run going as home favorites, we should get 60+ points from these two teams.

 

[CNOTES]

FRIDAY, JULY 14


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


CGY at MTL 07:00 PM


MTL +4.0


U 48.5


OTT at EDM 10:00 PM


OTT +4.0


O 57.5

 

[CNOTES]

RECAP
ALS’ OFFENCE LEADS THE WAY IN HOME VICTORY OVER STAMPS
CFL.CA STAFF


Montreal — The Montreal Alouettes outlasted the undefeated Calgary Stampeders in an exciting 30-23 home win on Friday night.


Montreal started fast out of the gate when Darian Durant completed a big 80-yard pass to Ernest Jackson down the right side of the field on the first play of the game. Jackson would finish the game with an impressive 118 yards receiving. The Als’ drive stalled after that, as they failed to reach the end zone and were forced to settle for a field goal from Boris Bede to take the early 3-0 lead.


On Calgary’s opening drive, Kamar Jorden made the most difficult catch his team had all night. The Stamp’s leading receiver made a one-handed grab look effortless, and he would move the chains for a first down a couple plays later. Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell continued his accurate and effective play on the team’s opening drive, but the Stamps had to settle for a Rene Paredes field goal after a would-be touchdown pass was broken up near the goal line.


The Alouettes’s next drive appeared to have promise after an explosive return from Stefan Logan, but the drive ended quickly when a Durant pass ended up in the hands of defensive back Ciante Evans. Evans made a brilliant play on the ball to intercept the short pass.


Darian Durant made another poor decision early in the second quarter when he threw an errant pass to avoid a sack, only to have the pass picked off by defensive back Tommie Campbell.


Jorden made another fantastic grab on the next drive for Calgary, reaching up high over the middle to secure the first down. But the Stamps were unable to score the game’s opening touchdown on the drive, settling for another field goal to take the 6-3 lead.


Mitchell was under duress in the opening half, dealing with major pressure from the Als’ defensive line. Montreal’s John Bowman registered his 114th career sack in the second quarter, after dragging down Mitchell in the backfield.
Durant began to find success near the end of the first half, finding Tiquan Underwood for the first down. Nik Lewis reeled in a pass on the next play, bulldozing his way for another Montreal first down on the drive. Lewis moved the chains again on the ensuing play, after being left wide open on the left side of the field.


The Als’ running game began to come alive on the drive when running back Jean-Christophe Beaulieu found a big hole for 27 yards.


On what was easily the best drive for either team in the first half, the Als scored a big passing touchdown when Durant connected with B.J. Cunningham for 39 yards to help lift his team to a 10-6 lead. Cunningham’s route was a double move that made the Calgary defensive back fall to the turf.


The Stampeders attempted to regain momentum on the following drive, but the Als’ defensive pressure continued to create disruption in the backfield. Als’ linebacker Chris Ackie stripped the ball from Jerome Messam after getting penetration. The fumble was scooped up by Montreal defensive back Branden Dozier, who took it 20 yards for the touchdown to help put his team up 17-6.


Messam was ejected from the game on the same play, after the Calgary running back was involved in an altercation after his fumble.


On the next drive, the Stamps made their way down the field in a hurry as time ran out in the first half. Paredes notched his third field goal of the game, narrowing Montreal’s lead to 17-9 before half.


Roy Finch stepped up at running back for the Stamps on their first drive of the second half, giving his team momentum by catching passes out of the backfield and making Montreal defenders miss in space.


Mitchell made a clutch throw a couple plays later when he found DaVaris Daniels for a 30-yard touchdown pass against defensive back Brandon Stewart to tie the game at 16. The play was Mitchel’s 99th career touchdown pass and the first receiving touchdown of the season for Daniels.


Calgary would take a 17-16 lead after Rob Maver punted the ball through the back of the end zone for a single.


The Stamps put together another successful drive near the end of the third quarter with completions to Daniels, Finch and Marquay McDaniel. Calgary added another field goal to increase their lead to 20-16 entering the fourth.


The Alouettes responded on their opening drive of the fourth quarter with a well executed running play that saw Tyrrell Sutton take it 13 yards for the score. Sutton broke several tackles on the play to put his team up 23-20. The CFL’s rushing leader gained tough yards all game long, finishing with 85 yards rushing.
The Stamps responded again on the next drive when another leaping grab by Jorden led to another field goal, tying the game 23-23.


In what was the highlight of the night, Ernest Jackson made a remarkable 21-yard grab. Jackson went up high, reaching over the helmet of Ciante Evans to make the catch. Nik Lewis added a 19-yard catch on the next play, setting up a short rushing touchdown for quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. to put Montreal back on top 30-23.


Calgary’s attempt to comeback fell short, ending their 19-game regular season unbeaten streak.


Next week’s action will see the Alouettes take on the REDBLACKS on Wednesday the 19th, while the Stampeders will look to bounce back in their game against the Roughriders on Saturday the 22nd.

 

[CNOTES]

NEWS
ESKIMOS HOLD OFF REDBLACKS’ LATE EFFORT TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED


CFL.CA STAFF


EDMONTON — The Edmonton Eskimos remained undefeated in 2017 with a 23-21 win over the reigning Grey Cup champion Ottawa REDBLACKS at Commonwealth Stadium.


The REDBLACKS came up just short of forcing overtime after Trevor Harris orchestrated a late fourth quarter drive ending in a touchdown pass to Joshua Stangby with less than 30 seconds left on the clock to put the game within two points. Ottawa’s two-point covert attempt was no good, solidifying the win for the Eskimos.


Brandon Zylstra posted a game high 108 yards on 10 catches while Travon Van racked up 103 yards on the ground on 18 carries in the win.


The Eskimos came out hungry in hopes of avenging their East Final loss to the REDBLACKS last season, but it was Ottawa who jumped on the board first on their second drive of the game. Harris connected with Brad Sinopoli in traffic to set Ottawa up 33 yards out from the end zone. The Eskimos’ defence did not give the REDBLACKS any ground after that, forcing Brett Maher to notch his first field goal of the night from 43 yards out. Maher’s field goal were the only points of the first quarter, giving the REDBLACKS a 3-0 lead.


Ottawa was finally able to find their offensive prowess midway through the second quarter when Harris went up top to Greg Ellingson for a long 34 yard gain. Ellingson appeared to make it into the end zone, but replay determined that he was just short, stepping out of bounds at the one yard line. Ryan Lindley finished the job by making the short charge across the plane for the first major of the game to give Ottawa a 9-0 lead. The extra point attempt sailed wide.


After a sluggish start to the game, the Eskimos appeared to find their groove near the end of the half.


The Eskimos finally got on the board after Sean Whyte notched a 21-yard field goal just after the three minute warning.


On the ensuing drive, the Eskimos capitalized on a REDBLACKS’ hiccup when Harris attempted a lateral pass to Sinopoli deep in Ottawa territory that was slightly off target. The toss was fumbled and scooped up by Brandyn Thompson, who ran it back into the end zone for a 31 yard major to give the Esks their first touchdown of the game. The extra point attempt was successful to pull Edmonton ahead 10-9.


Reilly and company appeared to feed off of their defences scoring play. On the Esks’ final drive of the quarter, Reilly tossed a 42-yard long ball to Vidal Hazelton to place Edmonton just outside of the red zone. Adarius Bowman capped off the drive with a short touchdown catch with less than 10 seconds left on the clock for the offences first major of the game.


The successful extra point gave the Esks a 17-9 lead heading into halftime.


The Eskimos had a chance pull even farther ahead of the REDBLACKS after Alex Hoffman-Ellis blocked an Ottawa punt and Edmonton gained possession in the red zone after a turnover on downs. Ottawa’s defence came up with a huge stop, blocking Edmonton’s short 13-yard path into the end zone. The Esks settled for a field goal to go up 20-9.


The REDBLAKCS clawed their way back into the game late in the quarter courtesy of a strong offensive drive. Dionte Spencer’s first reception of the game proved to be a crucial one for Ottawa as he brought down a 30-yard toss by Harris to place the REDBLACKS just outside the end zone. William Powell powered across the plane for the major to put the REDBLACKS within five points. Ottawa’s two-point convert attempt was unsuccessful, setting up a 20-15 Esks lead entering the final 15 minutes.


Whyte notched his third field goal of the game in the fourth quarter to pull the Eskimos ahead by eight.


The REDBLACKS attempted to orchestrate a late drive that took the game down to the final whistle, but it was too little too late for the reigning Grey Cup champs, who remained winless through four weeks of play.


The REDBLACKS return to the East to take on the Montreal Alouettes next week while the Esks will look to continue their winning ways

 

[CNOTES]

Saturday’s six-pack


— Braves 4, Arizona 3— Ender Inciarte made a great catch to keep tying run off base leading off 9th inning- he also scored two runs.


— Warriors 109, Clippers 100— Oregon’s Dylan Ennis scored 35 points.


— Michael Pineda has a torn UCL, might need Tommy John surgery.


— Red Sox DFA’d Pablo Sandoval; they still owe him around $50M thru 2020.


— By way of comparison, the A’s have only $25.5M of salary on the books for 2018-20, and thats for the whole team.


— Rumors are that Ezekiel Elliott might get a domestic violence suspension; Cowboys went from -4.5 to -4 at some sportsbooks Friday for their Week 1 game against the Giants.


*************************


In a perfect world, where I made all the decisions………

13) If you’re making a certain amount of money ($20M a year??) in the NBA, then you’re not allowed to take “recovery” or “maintenance” days off. Steph Curry makes $40M a year; James Harden makes almost as much as that. You’re tired? Too bad. Show up and play— people pay a boatload of money to watch you play.


If you’re hurt, thats another thing, but some guys are just taking off one night of back-to-backs when it isn’t that hard to play on consecutive nights- they did it when they were kids.


12) No radios in NFL players’ helmets; you have six days to prepare for these games. Give the QB a wristband with plays on it and let the players play. Coaches have all week to coach.


11) Get rid of the Electoral College; the Presidential candidate who gets the most votes wins. I’ve heard arguments by both sides. This one is simple: candidate with the most votes wins. For me, this goes back 15-20 years, it isn’t about last year.


10) National League and American League would have the same rules where the DH is concerned; I don’t even care if there is/isn’t a DH anymore, just have the same rules in both leagues.


I’d be willing to eliminate the DH, in exchange for 26 or 27-man rosters for each team, with expansion to only 30 players after September 1st.


9) Every relief pitcher would have to face 2+ batters in a game, not one, unless the one batter is the last out of an inning. This would quicken the game, eliminating the L-R-L pitching changes that slow the game down to a halt.


8) I’d lower the drinking age to 18; if you’re old enough to go to war, then you’re old enough to have a beer.


7) No more visits to the pitchers’ mound by coaches/managers. None. Ever. Again, let the players figure it out on their own.


6) Could we put an NHL team in Quebec City, and one is Saskatoon? I hear they like hockey there. Having teams in Raleigh, Brooklyn and Arizona just doesn’t seem smart.


5) The NFL would eliminate Thursday Night Football, except for the Week 1 game and the Thanksgiving games.


4) Would shorten NFL preseason to two games; would also allow teams to do more in the offseason, as far as actually practicing football. An 18-game regular season with the Super Bowl on Presidents’ Day weekend would be good.


3) In ’n Out Burger would have one, preferably two places in the Albany, NY area. Please????


2) NCAA basketball tournament would go back to 64 teams.


1) People would be more respectful of each other’s opinions, and of each other. Everyone hates everybody these days— take a deep breath and tolerate other people. it isn’t that hard to do.

 

[CNOTES]

WEST DIVISION
RK TEAM GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV
1 Edmonton 3 3 0 0 6 76 67 2-0-0 1-0-0 1-0-0 2 Calgary 4 2 1 1 5 126 110 1-0-0 1-1-1 1-0-0
3 Winnipeg 3 2 1 0 4 86 94 1-1-0 1-0-0 1-1-0
4 BC 3 2 1 0 4 78 61 0-1-0 2-0-0 0-1-0
5 Saskatchewan 3 1 2 0 2 93 80 1-1-0 0-1-0 0-1-0


EAST DIVISION
RK TEAM GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV
1 Toronto 4 2 2 0 4 98 101 1-1-0 1-1-0 2-0-0
2 Montreal 4 2 2 0 4 82 85 2-1-0 0-1-0 0-0-0
3 Ottawa 4 0 3 1 1 116 123 0-1-1 0-2-0 0-1-0
4 Hamilton 2 0 2 0 0 35 69 0-0-0 0-2-0 0-1-0

 

[CNOTES]

CFL Record: Best Bets & Opinions


Date W-L-T % Units


07/14/2017....................2-2-0..............50.00%.....................-11.00
07/13/2017....................1-1-0..............50.00%.......................-0.50
07/08/2017....................1-3-0..............25.00%.....................-11.50
07/07/2017....................1-1-0..............50.00%.......................-0.50
07/06/2017....................2-0-0............100.00%....................+10.00
07/01/2017....................1-1-0..............50.00%.......................-0.50
06/30/2017....................2-2-0..............50.00%.......................-0.20
06/29/2017................... 0-2-0............... 0.00%.................... -11.00
06/25/2017................... 1-1-0............. 50.00%...................... -0.50
06/24/2017................... 1-1-0 .............50.00% ......................-0.50
06/23/2017................... 2-0-0............ 100.00%................... +10.00
06/22/2017................... 0-2-0............... 0.00%.................... -11.00


Total............................ATS.............. .........O/U.....................Total


07/14/2017....................2 - 0.....................0 - 2......................-11.00
07/13/2017....................1 - 0.....................0 - 1 ......................- 0.50
07/08/2017....................1 - 1-----------------0 - 2......................-11.50
07/07/2017....................1 - 0.....................0 - 1....................... -0.50
07/06/2017....................1 - 0.....................1 - 0.....................+10.00
07/01/2017....................0 - 1.....................1 - 0.......................- 0.50
06/30/2017....................1 - 1.....................1 - 1.......................- 0.20
06/29/2017................... 0- 1..................... 0 - 1..................... -11.00
06/25/2017....................0 - 1.....................1 - 0........................-0.50
06/24/2017................... 1 - 0 ............. ......0 - 1........................-0.50
06/23/2017....................1 - 0.....................1 - 0....................+ 10.00
06/22/2017....................0 - 1.....................0 - 1 ....................- 11.00

 

[CNOTES]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Saturday, July 15


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


BRITISH COLUMBIA (2 - 1) at HAMILTON (0 - 2) - 7/15/2017, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 3-1 against the spread versus HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 3-1 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


BC Lions (2-1) @ Hamilton (0-2)— Lions are 7-3 in last ten series games, winning last three, by 27-25-7 points. BC lost three of last four visits here; home side won seven of last eight series games- over is 6-2 in those eight games. Lions are on road for 3rd week in row; they were +19 in second half the last two weeks, wins at Toronto/Montreal. TiCats were outgunned by 287-258 yards in first two games, losses at Toronto (32-15), Saskatchewan (37-20)- this is their home opener.


---------------------------------


Saturday, July 15


7:30 PM
BRITISH COLUMBIA vs. HAMILTON
British Columbia is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
British Columbia is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Hamilton
Hamilton is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Hamilton is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games




----------------------------------------------------------------


Saturday, July 14


BC Lions @ Hamilton


Game 377-378
July 15, 2017 @ 7:30 pm


Dunkel Rating:
BC Lions
110.944
Hamilton
111.532
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Hamilton
by 1
43
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
BC Lions
by 3
51 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Hamilton
(+3); Under

 

[CNOTES]

CFL


Saturday, July 15


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday's CFL Betting Preview and Odds: Lions at Tiger-Cats
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The BC Lions are 3-point road faves for their Saturday night matchup with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who are searching for their first win, in their first home game of the season.


BC Lions at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (+3, 51.5)


The BC Lions look to conclude their Eastern road swing with their third straight win when they tangle with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday. The Lions came from behind to beat the Toronto Argonauts 28-15 on June 30 before downing the Montreal Alouettes 23-16 in Week 3, to notch their eighth consecutive win against East Division opponents, and they hope to continue their dominance by taming the Tiger-Cats for the fourth straight time.


BC has averaged 37.7 points over the last three meetings with Hamilton and looks for some more offensive fireworks against the Tiger-Cats' mistake-prone secondary. Hamilton is left to pick up the pieces following a disappointing 37-20 setback to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Tiger-Cats have dropped seven of their last eight regular-season games dating back to last year and they hope to find a cure for an ailing offence that has scored just one touchdown over eight quarters while averaging a CFL-low 237 yards per game. "It starts with me so I have to play better and if the quarterback plays better you win more games," Hamilton quarterback Zach Collaros told reporters. "If you're not executing you're not going to win ball games and I don't care what level you're at you're just not going to win."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN, RDS

LINE HISTORY: Oddsmakers opened the winless Ti-Cats as 3-point underdogs for their first home game of the season and the line has yet to move off that number. However, we have seen movement when it comes to the total. The Over/Under hit the board at 49.5 and has been bet up two points to sit at the current number of 51.5.

WEATHER REPORT: It should be a beautiful night for football in Hamilton, Ontario, with the forecast calling for mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid to high 20's around kickoff. There will a crossfield wind of around 11 miles per hour and gusting as high as 15 mph.

ABOUT THE LIONS (2-1, 2-1 ATS,0-3 O/U): Linebacker Solomon Elimimian was named one of the CFL's Top Performers of the Week after making 15 tackles in the win against Montreal, which was one shy of equaling the single-game league record set by Reggie Hunt in 2003. "Solomon is a great player and when your best guys come to work everyday then you've got a great situation," BC coach Wally Buono told reporters. "He knows it's his show and he's embraced the role." Running back Jeremiah Johnson accounted for 102 yards and two touchdowns against the Alouettes to extend his TD streak to three games.

ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (0-2, 0-2 ATS, 1-1 O/U): Defensive back Will Hill was handed a one-game suspension for grabbing an official by the jersey and fined an undisclosed amount for punching an opposing player on the same play during the third quarter of the loss to Saskatchewan. Offensive lineman Mike Filer limped off the field against the Roughriders and did not practice early in the week while linebacker Simoni Lawrence took some reps with the defence after missing a significant portion of last week's loss with a lower-body injury. Defensive back Abdul Kanneh, who was one of Hamilton's high-profile free-agent signings in the offseason, could make his debut after missing the first two games due to injury.


TRENDS:


* Lions are 4-0 ATS in their last four games as a road favorite.
* Tiger-Cats are 0-5-1 ATS in their last six home games.
* Under is 6-2 in Lions last eight road games.
* Under is 6-0 in Tiger-Cats last six games as a home underdog.
* Lions are 5-1 ATS in their last six meetings.

 

[CNOTES]

SATURDAY, JULY 15


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


BC at HAM 07:30 PM


BC -3.0


O 51.5

 

[CNOTES]

GAME RECAP
JULY 15, 2017
SWEEP COMPLETE: LIONS CAP OFF EAST ROAD TRIP WITH THIRD STRAIGHT WIN


HAMILTON — The BC Lions completed their three game Eastern swing with their third consecutive win, overpowering the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 41-26 at Tim Hortons Field.


Travis Lulay broke a CFL record for most passing yards off the bench after Jonathon Jennings went down with a reported shoulder injury in the first quarter. Lulay threw for 436 yards on 29-of-36 passes for three touchdown passes and two interceptions.


The Lions offence got off to a rough start when Jennings’ first pass of the game – a long ball intended for Emmanuel Arceneaux – was picked off by Richard Leonard. The Ticats’ offence fed off of the interception as Collaros led a steady drive down the field. The pivot connected with Luke Tasker twice and completed 4-of-5 passes before Jeremiah Masoli powered into the end zone for the short touchdown run to give the Black and Gold a 7-0 lead midway through the quarter.


Jennings was hit by Duron Colman on the Lions’ first offensive play of the game and was replaced by Travis Lulay on the next drive.


The Ticats gave up 39 yards on a pass interference and rouging the passer call on the same play, advancing the Lions to the Ticats 38-yard line. BC capitalized on the advanced field position when Lulay connected with Shaq Johnson for the Lions first major of the game.


The Lions attempted a two-point covert to pull ahead, but the pass was picked off by Luke Taker, who ran it back into BC territory but was taken down to keep the score at 7-6 in favour of Hamilton.


The Lions would turn over the ball for the second time in the quarter on a Marco Iannuzzi fumble. Leonard pounced on the ball to allow Collaros and company to take over the field once again.


Hamilton continued to collect points off of the Lions’ turnovers as Collaros connected with Jalen Saunders for a long 60 yard gain to put the Ticats in the red zone. Ross Scheuerman charged across the plane at the beginning of the second quarter to cap off the drive with a four-yard major. The extra-point convert sailed wide left to keep the score at 13-6.


The Lions responded before the end of the quarter on a scoring drive that covered 95 yards on eight plays. Lulay found four different receivers for double digit gains before punching it into the end zone himself on a one-yard quarterback sneak. The successful two-yard convert attempt gave the Lions their first lead of the game with just under two minutes to go.


But the Lions weren’t done there.


The Ticats didn’t have the ball back for long as Collaros’ next pass was intercepted by T.J. Lee in Hamilton territory. Lualay made quick work of the short field, finding Nick Moore in the end zone to give the Lions there second touchdown in 59 second.


Sergio Castillo notched a 48-yard field goal with zeros left on the clock to cut the Lions lead to 21-16 heading into halftime.


The Lions struck first in the second half when Lulay found Moore in stride along the right sideline for a 69-yard gain, but Hamilton’s defence held strong, forcing the Lions to settle for a 13-yard field goal to pull further ahead 24-16.


The Lions continued to expose the Ticats secondary before the end of the quarter. Burnham made an impressive one-handed snag in the end zone that was initially ruled incomplete. However, the play was reviewed and the call was overturned to give Lulay his third touchdown pass of the game to pull the Lions ahead 31-16.


BC notched a 50-yard field goal at the start of the final quarter to continue to pull further ahead.


The Ticats attempted to claw back into the game as Collaros responded with a touchdown drive of his own. The pivot connected with Saunders in the right corner of the end zone for a 25-yard major. Mike Jones caught the two-point convert pass to cut the Lions lead to 34-24.


BC’s offence proved to be too much for the Ticats as Lulay continued his passing prowess. The Lions’ quarterback found Moore twice on the Lions’ late drive for a 19 and 20 yard gain before Jeremiah Johnson capped off the drive with short touchdown run. The extra point was successful to push the Lions ahead 41-24 midway through the final quarter, which is where the score stood when the final whistle blew.

 

[CNOTES]

WEEK 5


Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home
7:30 PM Montreal Alouettes Ottawa Redblacks

Thursday, July 20, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home
7:30 PM Edmonton Eskimos Hamilton Tiger Cats

Friday, July 21, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home
10:00 PM Winnipeg Blue Bombers British Columbia Lions

Saturday, July 22, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home
9:00 PM Saskatchewan Roughriders Calgary Stampeders

Monday, July 24, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home
7:30 PM Ottawa Redblacks Toronto Argonauts


WEEK 6


Thursday, July 27, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home
8:30 PM Montreal Alouettes Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Friday, July 28, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home
9:30 PM British Columbia Lions Edmonton Eskimos

Saturday, July 29, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home
6:30 PM Toronto Argonauts Saskatchewan Roughriders
9:30 PM Hamilton Tiger Cats Calgary Stampeders

 

[CNOTES]

WEST DIVISION


RK TEAM GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV


1 Edmonton 3 3 0 0 6 76 67 2-0-0 1-0-0 1-0-0

2 BC 4 3 1 0 6 119 87 0-1-0 3-0-0 0-1-0


3 Calgary 4 2 1 1 5 126 110 1-0-0 1-1-1 1-0-0

4 Winnipeg 3 2 1 0 4 86 94 1-1-0 1-0-0 1-1-0

5 Saskatchewan 3 1 2 0 2 93 80 1-1-0 0-1-0 0-1-0




EAST DIVISION


RK TEAM GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV


1 Toronto 4 2 2 0 4 98 101 1-1-0 1-1-0 2-0-0

2 Montreal 4 2 2 0 4 82 85 2-1-0 0-1-0 0-0-0

3 Ottawa 4 0 3 1 1 116 123 0-1-1 0-2-0 0-1-0

4 Hamilton 3 0 3 0 0 61 110 0-1-0 0-2-0 0-1-0