CFL PICKS: WEEK 17
Edmonton Eskimos at Hamilton Tiger-Cats Friday, 7 p.m.
There really is no place like home for Dane Evans and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The 11-3 Ticats return after three straight road contests and play at Tim Hortons Field for the first time since a 38-27 victory over the Toronto Argonauts on Sept. 2. Hamilton remains firmly atop the East Division standings, eight points ahead of secondplace Montreal (7-6). The Ticats have already clinched a post-season berth, but can secure first — and home-field advantage for the conference final — with a win over Edmonton and Alouettes loss or tie to Calgary on Saturday afternoon. Hamilton is 6-0 at Tim Hortons Field, the only CFL team with an unblemished home record. 7-7 Edmonton is 3-4 away from Commonwealth Stadium. Still. Edmonton’s defence has recorded 43 sacks and is allowing 284.9 offensive yards and 213.2 passing yards per game, all league-leading numbers. But Hamilton’s receiving corps includes speedy Brandon Banks (86 catches, 1,152 yards, eight TDs) and Bralon Addison (82 catches, 1,070 yards, seven TDs). Pick: Hamilton
Calgary Stampeders at Montreal Alouettes Saturday, 4 p.m.
At Montreal, Calgary (9-4) comes off the bye week in a three-way tie for top spot in the West Division. The Stampeders have won four straight, their last being a 23-16 road victory over Toronto on Sept. 20. Starting quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. returns to the lineup for Montreal (7-6) after missing last week’s heartbreaking 25-23 loss in B.C. due to suspension. The Als can clinch their first home playoff game since ’14 with a win or tie. Adams Jr. led the Als to a thrilling 40-34 overtime win at McMahon Stadium in August, but the reigning Grey Cup champs were minus starting QB Bo Levi Mitchell. Pick: Calgary
Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Saskatchewan Roughriders Saturday, 7 p.m.
At Regina, both teams have clinched playoff berths but the winner captures the season series and tiebreaker if they end the year with identical records. Saskatchewan (9-4) has won two straight and eight of their past nine and stands 6-1 at home. Winnipeg (9-5) has dropped its last two games and has also played once more than both Riders and Calgary. The Bombers are also 2-3 under backup quarterback Chris Streveler after starter Matt Nichols suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Streveler is a solid runner but has more interceptions (eight) than passing TDs (six). Pick: Saskatchewan
Toronto Argonauts at B.C. Lions Saturday, 10 p.m.
At Vancouver, the Lions (4-10) chase a fourth straight win after holding on to beat Montreal 25-23 last weekend. Mike Reilly was 30-of-34 passing for 309 yards and a TD and interception but B.C.’s defence allowed 425 net offensive yards. Toronto (2-11) comes in having lost two straight and five of its last six. James Franklin was 21-of-30 passing for 208 yards with a TD and two interceptions last week versus the Riders while being sacked six times his first start in 10 games. The expectation is Franklin will get a second straight start. Pick: B.C. Last week: 3-1. Overall: 44-17. — Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press All games on TSN