I'll say off the start that the flu-like symptoms going through both lockers has not affected the play I'm making, largely because I see them as offsetting (and perhaps even misleading). Everyone with the flu will likely play, as this is a playoff game for both the Eskimos and the Lions.
Breaking it down, let's start with Edmonton's defence vs. BC's offence. You have arguably the worst secondary in the league going against an offence that is finally starting to put the ball in the air. Huge advantage BC. Casey Printers has gotten better with each game (although he needs to be more consistent for 60 minutes). The Lions' running game, which has been decent, should get a boost with CFL ROY candidate Martell Mallett likely returning. One way teams have tried (with some success) to limit Casey Printers is by sending lots of pressure... well Edmonton is dead last in the league in sacks and can ill afford to put their vulnerable secondary in man to man coverage. Edmonton's one bright spot has been their ability to limit the run. If this was the pre-Printers era, this would be a bigger deal... but Casey is probably the worst BC QB that this secondary could face.
Looking at Edmonton's offence vs. BC's defence, one must wonder if Ricky Ray is comfortable with all the changes to the offence? With less than two months to get accustomed to a new offensive coordinator, many have blamed this change on the offence suffering some-what in recent weeks. Another problem is going against one of the better secondaries in the league. BC's real problem all season has been against the run, an area that Edmonton has often ignored. For the Eskies to win this game they will need their running game to emerge in a big way. I'm skeptical about that happening.
In the end, I have to take the Lions. This is their last game at BC place for a year and a half, they better make it count. They have been moving in the right direction, and should get it done. Of course, because of the ramifications of this game, and my lack of confidence in BC's ability to put teams away for good, I can't take the spread.
British Columbia Lions ML (-175)
2 team parlay: BC Lions ML & GB Packers ML (-115)
GL
The CFL in General: This is the best Week 19 lineup I can remember seeing in the past decade. I hope fans will watch the games this week, and see how great this league has become. It may not be the NFL, nor should it try to be. This league has come a long ways since the shit days of the 1990s. In addition to this game, the last two matchups of the regular season should be great to watch. The Saskatchewan vs. Calgary game will be great tv. No leans on any of the other games, although I am considering Hamilton +2.
Breaking it down, let's start with Edmonton's defence vs. BC's offence. You have arguably the worst secondary in the league going against an offence that is finally starting to put the ball in the air. Huge advantage BC. Casey Printers has gotten better with each game (although he needs to be more consistent for 60 minutes). The Lions' running game, which has been decent, should get a boost with CFL ROY candidate Martell Mallett likely returning. One way teams have tried (with some success) to limit Casey Printers is by sending lots of pressure... well Edmonton is dead last in the league in sacks and can ill afford to put their vulnerable secondary in man to man coverage. Edmonton's one bright spot has been their ability to limit the run. If this was the pre-Printers era, this would be a bigger deal... but Casey is probably the worst BC QB that this secondary could face.
Looking at Edmonton's offence vs. BC's defence, one must wonder if Ricky Ray is comfortable with all the changes to the offence? With less than two months to get accustomed to a new offensive coordinator, many have blamed this change on the offence suffering some-what in recent weeks. Another problem is going against one of the better secondaries in the league. BC's real problem all season has been against the run, an area that Edmonton has often ignored. For the Eskies to win this game they will need their running game to emerge in a big way. I'm skeptical about that happening.
In the end, I have to take the Lions. This is their last game at BC place for a year and a half, they better make it count. They have been moving in the right direction, and should get it done. Of course, because of the ramifications of this game, and my lack of confidence in BC's ability to put teams away for good, I can't take the spread.
British Columbia Lions ML (-175)
2 team parlay: BC Lions ML & GB Packers ML (-115)
GL
The CFL in General: This is the best Week 19 lineup I can remember seeing in the past decade. I hope fans will watch the games this week, and see how great this league has become. It may not be the NFL, nor should it try to be. This league has come a long ways since the shit days of the 1990s. In addition to this game, the last two matchups of the regular season should be great to watch. The Saskatchewan vs. Calgary game will be great tv. No leans on any of the other games, although I am considering Hamilton +2.
