Well here we are, it's the final week of the regular season and just two
games separate the six of us now veteran CFL prognosticators.The last
week of the season is always a little strange as playoff implications
impact the way teams decide to play out the string.
You can tell by the
variety this week, that we're all taking some calculated risks in order to try to
come out on top, so with the regular-season picks title is on the line, here are our Week 19 selections:
BACK'EM UP
Each week we ask someone to back up their selections. After going
3-1 last week we call on Andy - to the delight of you Rider fans out
there - to give us some support for his selections.
Saskatchewan over Toronto - The Riders' 55-9 thumping over the Eskimos last week was enough to convince me that this team is once
again a force to be reckoned with in the postseason. The Riders need a
win, coupled with a Lions loss this week, to secure a home playoff
game. With that motivation driving them, look for Saskatchewan to come
away with a victory on the road versus an Argos squad that is merely
playing for pride.
Montreal over Edmonton - Both teams already know their
playoff scenarios (the Als enjoying a bye to the East final, while the
Eskies crossover to face the Bombers in the East semi). Despite the
fact that this game will not have any impact on playoff positioning,
both teams will want to enter the playoffs on a positive note. Although
the Eskies will be eager to redeem themselves after an embarrassing
trip to Mosaic Stadium last week, I expect the Als to redeem themselves
after dropping one at home last week to Winnipeg. Also, with a bye week
to look forward to, Montreal may also be a little more tempted to leave
some first stringers in. I'm taking the Als in this one.
Winnipeg over Hamilton
- The last place Ticats visit Winnipeg for the Bombers final tuneup
before hosting the Eskies. In what has been an up-and-down season for
the Bombers, it's important that Winnipeg establish some consistency
before they kickoff the postseason. A win over the Als last week was a
step in the right direction, and I'm banking on the Bombers to keep the
good vibes going in handling an inferior Hamilton team.
Calgary over B.C. - This is my upset of the week I suppose.
I like the Lions...but I'm hoping that my fellow bloggers are all
picking B.C....so hopefully I can make up some ground here! If the
Lions win, they host a playoff game. The Leos are also playing some
great ball right now (with convincing wins over both Toronto and
Edmonton in their last two contests). But the Stamps will be playing at
home and will be playing relaxed and pressure-free as they finish off
their regular-season schedule and look ahead to their bye. While this
game certainly means a lot more to B.C. than it does to Calgary, I'm
going to go with the first-place Stamps to pull off the victory at home.
WEEK 18 RECORDS:
Andy 3-1
Jack 2-2
D.J. 3-1
Bob 3-1
Derek 2-2
Jann 2-2