Redblacks look to end Bombers’ win streak
FRIDAY
Winnipeg at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m. ET,
TSN: The Blue Bombers’ stunning victory over the Lions last Saturday was a special effects masterpiece directed by Mike O’Shea. Guts, gambles, gimmicks and kicker Sergio Castillo turned an apparent fourth straight loss into a comeback win that kept the Bombers in playoff contention. What will O’Shea do for his next act? Herein lies the problem: Winnipeg has been able to maintain only two winning streaks since the middle of the 2011 season. They’re chronically one-and-done after an important victory. With Henry Burris avoiding an injury scare last Tuesday against Toronto, the Redblacks seem positioned to blunt yet another Winnipeg “turning point.”
Pick: Redblacks
SATURDAY
Calgary at Toronto, 4 p.m. ET, TSN: Fort McMurray, Ottawa, now Hamilton. For the third time this season, the Argos will play a “home” game away from Rogers Centre, which has been the scene of some unusual baseball activity in October. Tim Hortons Field is the contingency plan this time as the Argos continue their improbable quest for first place in the East, despite a season littered with roadblocks and inconveniences. Another big ask: The Stampeders, coming off a 15-11 loss to the Eskimos, haven’t lost back-to-back games in three years.
Pick: Stampeders B.C. at Edmonton, 7 p.m., ET, TSN: The Lions close out the regular season with four games against teams with winning records, the defensively formidable Eskimos being first up. Still, B.C. has played Edmonton tough this season. Travis Lulay beat them with a late game touchdown throw to Andrew Harris on Aug. 6 in Vancouver, a 26-23 Lions’ victory. On Sept. 26, Jon Jennings staked the Leos to a 23-7 lead, only to see it dissolve into a 29-23 defeat at Commonwealth Stadium. So the Esks are aware this could be a “trap” game as they try to nail down first place for the first time since 2003.
Pick: Eskimos
SUNDAY
Hamilton at Montreal, 1 p.m. ET,
TSN: With a 5-9 record after a 25-17 Thanksgiving Day loss to the Argos, the Alouettes are a single defeat away from their first 10-loss season since the CFL returned to Montreal in 1996. Jim Popp’s decision to replace Tom Higgins as head coach hasn’t worked out, except to raise more questions about the motivating reason behind it. Left in the rear view mirror by Toronto, Hamilton and Ottawa, the Als’ playoff hopes lie as a crossover team in the West.
Pick: Tiger-Cats