Week 4 was rough for a couple teams I expected to have big games. The Riders, Tiger-Cats and Redblacks all expected more from their respective games but that is the way it goes some times. I went 2-2 straight up and 1-3 against the spread last week to make me 10-5 straight up and 9-6 against the spread this season. This week it is another week with some great matchups. Let’s see if I can get back on the positive side of my picks in week 5.

(2-1) Edmonton Eskimos @ (1-3) B.C. Lions Thursday 10:00pm ET

The Eskimos have looked good this season, besides a loss to Winnipeg where they could have won if not for taking a bunch of penalties, they have been near perfect. I really like how Trevor Harris has fit into the offence and C.J. Gable looks to be on pace for his best season in the CFL. There isn’t much to pick apart when it comes to the offence. The Last time these two teams played the Eskimos defence got to Mike Reilly over, and over again. He could barely catch the snap before he was being sacked so they will want to keep that up, while the Lions offensive line will look for a redemption game. The Lions offence has struggled at times and so has their defence. B.C. barely escaped the Argo’s last week, having to kick a rouge on the last play to win the game 18-17. They really need to figure it out or they will get left in the dust in the West Division. Beating a team like Edmonton this week could really right the ship. However, I don’t think that will happen and Edmonton will escape B.C. with a win.

Prediction: Eskimos win 33-25

(0-3) Toronto Argonauts @ (3-0) Winnipeg Blue Bombers Friday 8:30pm ET

The Argos have not looked very good this season, but they have improved every game. With McLeod Bethel-Thompson under centre last week the offence looked a little more confident and they were very close to picking up their first win of the season. James Wilder Jr. once again didn’t get the ball in his hands enough on the ground but he did get seven receptions and added a touchdown through the air. I really think this Argo’s team needs to adopt the Al’s strategy from last week and just pound the ball on the ground and let their biggest offensive playmaker do his thing. We will see if that happens this week. For Winnipeg there isn’t much to say. They are consistent and don’t make many mistakes. The offence and defence run like a well oiled machine and through four weeks they are the class of the CFL this season. If Matt Nichols, Andrew Harris and the defence do their thing, this one shouldn’t be very close.

Prediction: Blue Bombers win 38-21

(1-2) Montreal Alouettes @ (2-1) Ottawa Redblacks Saturday 4:00pm ET

Montreal got a huge win last week against the previously undefeated Ti-Cats, they did it because William Stanback was an absolute beast. He had 22 carries for 203 yards and three touchdowns, those are numbers rarely seen from a running back in the CFL. If he can keep it up this week and help Vernon Adams Jr. out, this will be a close game. For Ottawa they suffered their first loss of the season last week at the hands of the Blue Bombers. they certainly didn’t play to their full potential and Winnipeg shut them down. Dominique Davis looked pedestrian for the first time this season but I expect a bounce back game from him and the entire time. I think Ottawa wins in a close one.

Prediction: Redblacks win 31-28

(2-1) Calgary Stampeders @ (3-1) Hamilton Tiger-Cats Saturday 7:00pm ET

Calgary is back. Last week they made a huge statement crushing the Riders 37-10 with a QB that was making his first career CFL start, Nick Arbuckle. Arbuckle looked like a veteran out there carving up the Riders secondary on the way to a nice first win. Here is a news flash for all other CFL teams, don’t throw at Tre Roberson. Roberson has another two interceptions against Saskatchewan to make it five on the season. Last year the CFL leader had five in the entire year. He is good and the defence looks to be getting better each week. Hamilton lost a shocker to the Alouettes last week after winning their first three games. The defence just couldn’t get timely stops and the offence sputtered at times. I expect a bounce back game but until the Tiger-Cats can prove they can beat top teams in the CFL, I have to take Calgary this week.

Prediction: Stampeders win 29-24

Point Spread Betting odds (Bodog)

Season Record: 9-6, Last week 1-3

Edmonton @ B.C: Take Edmonton -3.5

Toronto @ Winnipeg: Take Winnipeg -14.5

Montreal @ Ottawa: Take Montreal +9.5

Calgary @ Hamilton: Take Calgary +4

This week there are some “prove it” games with B.C. trying to prove they can stay in the west and Hamilton looking to show that last week against Montreal was just a fluke. Toronto will have to play near perfect against Winnipeg to even keep it close and the Alouettes have a chance to prove that they can make a splash in the East. It should be an interesting week 5 in the CFL. Thanks for reading and remember to check out the Squib Kick Radio podcast for in depth football discussion!