Canadian Football League picks: Week 18
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Calgary Stampeders
Friday, 9 p.m. On Friday, the focus turns to football for Duron Carter and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Carter was at the centre of some drama this week when he and Sam Williams, a defensive back on Saskatchewan’s practice roster, were involved in an altercation during practice. When people stepped in to break up the melee, there were reports at least one coach was urging the players to continue fighting. The contest is an important one for both teams. Calgary (13-1-1) needs a win to clinch top spot in the West Division while Saskatchewan (8-7) stands fourth, two points behind third-place Edmonton (9-6) needing a victory to cement a post-season berth. Saskatchewan is sound defensively, allowing an average of 23.3 offensive points, a league-low seven rushing TDs. But the Stampeders’ unit, combined with the club’s stellar home record, are hard to overlook. Prediction: Calgary
Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Toronto Argonauts
Saturday, 4 p.m. Winnipeg (11-4) clinched a post-season berth with last weekend’s 26-20 win over B.C. But the offence didn’t score a touchdown and has just one offensive TD in the last two games. The Bombers will be minus their top receiver (Darvin Adams) and defensive leader (Maurice Leggett) due to injury. Toronto (7-9) has lost two straight but would move atop the East with a win. Running back James Wilder Jr. could return after missing last weekend’s loss to Edmonton with head/chest injuries. Prediction: Toronto
Edmonton Eskimos at B.C. Lions
Saturday, 10 p.m. Edmonton (9-6) has been streaky all year. It opened the year with seven straight wins, then dropped six consecutive contests before winning its last two. Brandon Zylstra is now the CFL’s leading receiver and newly acquired running back CJ Gable has three straight 100-yard games, the last two with the Eskimos. B.C. (6-9) has dropped seven-of-eight games and a loss here or Saskatchewan win would eliminate the Lions from post-season contention. Prediction: Edmonton
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Montreal Alouettes
Sunday, 1 p.m. This is a pride game as Hamilton (4-11) and Montreal (3-12) will both miss the playoffs. After starting the season 0-8, the Ticats are 4-3 under interim coach June Jones and with Jeremiah Masoli as the starter. Masoli sports a 60.7 completion average with eight TDs and five interceptions while registering three 300-yard games. Darian Durant is expected to start for Montreal, which has lost eight straight and hasn’t won since a 21-9 decision over Toronto on Aug. 11. Prediction: Hamilton Last week: 2-2 Overall: 47-21-1 Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press All games on TSN