Game of the Day: CFL Doubleheader
Calgary Stampeders at Ottawa Redblacks (+9, 48)
The Ottawa Redblacks aim to halt their four-game losing skid when they host the Calgary Stampeders on Sunday. The Stampeders boast arguably the best defense in the league, surrendering fewer than 17 points per contest, which is concerning for a Redblacks' offense that has not scored more than 17 points since Week 5. Calgary is 3-0 on the road and 5-0 against East Division opponents.
The Stampeders defeated Ottawa 38-17 in Calgary in Week 7, when Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns. The Redblacks surrender a league-worst average of 300 passing yards, so Mitchell could be in for another strong game. Ottawa was limited to 38 rushing yards against Calgary’s defense, which averages a league-low 81.1 rushing yards allowed.
TV: 3 p.m. ET, TSN
LINE HISTORY: The majority of books opened the Redblacks as 9-point home dogs, which is where they currently remain. The total opened and presently sits at 48.
INJURY REPORT: Stampeders - OL Brander Craighead (Questionable, ankle), RB Matt Walter (Questionable, concussion), LS Randy Chevrier (Questionable, undisclosed), RB Jon Cornish (Probable, concussion). Redblacks - DL Chris McCoy (Questionable, wrist), DB Jovon Johnson (Probable, bicep).
ABOUT THE STAMPEDERS (6-1): Star running back Jon Cornish could return to the lineup Sunday for his first action since suffering a concussion in Week 1. Calgary has fared well in the running game without Cornish, averaging 115.1 rushing yards. The Stampeders will likely be without receiver Jeff Fuller, who dislocated his shoulder, and defensive lineman Micah Johnson, who suffered a knee injury, for the foreseeable future.
ABOUT THE REDBLACKS (1-6): Jovon Johnson returned to practice this week and could rejoin Ottawa’s defense sooner than expected after being placed on the six-game injured list. Quarterback Henry Burris is struggling with his lowest completion percentage (58.9) since 2006, when he was a member of the Stampeders. Defensive back Antoine Pruneau has recorded 18 of his 21 tackles in the last two games.
TRENDS:
* Stampeders are 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games.
* Redblacks are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games overall.
* Under is 10-1 in Calgary's last 11 road games.
* Under is 9-2 in Calgary's last 11 games overall.
CONSENSUS: 56 percent of wagers on Consensus are backing the visiting Stampeders.
Saskatchewan Roughriders at BC Lions (-3, 50.5)
Two of the hottest teams in the CFL meet Sunday when the BC Lions host the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Saskatchewan is riding a four-game winning streak, while BC has won its last three. The Lions defeated the host Roughriders in Week 3 and Saskatchewan looks to return the favour as the Lions enter their bye week.
Kevin Glenn has BC’s offense humming with 94 points in three games, but will be in tough against a Roughriders' defense that has not allowed more than 17 points in a contest since a Week 4 bye. Saskatchewan leads the league in sacks with 29 thanks to 12 from John Chick, and the quarterback pressure has led to nine interceptions for the Roughriders - bad news for Glenn, who has already tossed 11. Saskatchewan’s offense has been most effective on the ground, averaging 131.9 rushing yards.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN
LINE HISTORY: The majority of books opened the Lions as 3-point home faves, and after slight movement in both directions the line is presently back where it opened. The total opened 51 but has slightly gone down to 50.5.
INJURY REPORT: Roughriders - DB Marshay Green (Questionable, undisclosed), Dan DePalma (Questionable, undisclosed). Lions - LB Alex Hoffman-Ellis (Questionable, undisclosed), T Andre Ramsey (Questionable, ankle), RB Andrew Harris (Questionable, ankle), T Jermarcus Hardrick (Questionable, knee), DB Josh Johnson (Questionable, knee), CB Dante Marsh (Questionable, hamstring).
ABOUT THE ROUGHRIDERS (3-5): Chick was named defensive player of the week after recording three sacks in a win over the Montreal Alouettes, while receiver Rob Bagg was named Canadian player of the week. Jerome Messam is the latest running back to take the lead for Saskatchewan, rushing for 180 yards over the last two games. The Roughriders signed kicker Justin Palardy, putting pressure on Chris Milo, who is 15-for-21 on field goal attempts.
ABOUT THE LIONS (6-1): Stefan Logan earned offensive player of the week honours after recording a career-high 145 rushing yards in a road victory against the Toronto Argonauts, while Tim Brown earned special teams player of the week with 249 combined return yards. Andrew Harris is expected to return to the lineup Sunday, bumping Logan back to backup and kick-return duties with Brown. Travis Lulay took a few snaps against Toronto as he is eased back into action following shoulder surgery.
TRENDS:
* Under is 8-2 in Roughriders last 10 games versus the West.
* Lions are 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.
* Under is 6-2 in Lions last eight games overall.
* Roughriders are 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings in BC.
CONSENSUS: 55 percent of wagers on Consensus are backing the Lions.
