CFL Week Eight

Last week's results:

- I had Hamilton beating Calgary by 5; the Ti-Cats did not look like the team that had won its past three games.

- I had the Eskimos beating the Riders by 3 'provided the defence scored a TD'.  They won by 8 and the D did, in fact, score a major.

Last week: 1-1.  Season record: 15-9.

This week's games:

Thursday

Hamilton (3-3) at Winnipeg (1-5)

I severely over-estimated both teams prior to their last games.  Winnipeg will be starting Joey Elliott at QB.  Evidently, Alex Brink was shocked at being by-passed; he may want to look at the film from the Bombers' last game against Montréal.  They offence was listless and dispassioned for the first three quarters, only showing signs of life in the final quarter, after the game was out-of-reach.  Elliott should have been in at the half.  The Bombers have a good core of receivers (Edwards, Matthews and Denmark); it will be up to Elliott to establish chemistry with the group, which has been lacking more often than not this year. While the Ti-Cat defence stifled Kevin Glenn in their last game against Calgary, they let Jon Cornish run almost at will.  It augurs well for Chad Simpson.  On the other side of the ball, Winnipeg is getting some of its walking wounded back, as defensive backs Alex Stuber and Ian Logan will dress, which should help a defence that is ranked last against the pass and second-last against the rush. Henry Burris, after looking all-world for three weeks looked very ordinary against the Stamps last week.  His top target (Fantuz) will not play on Friday. Despite this, he should be able to exploit the Bombers' D; however, he needs to run with the ball more (only one carry for nine yards last week) to effectively throw a wrench in the opposing defensive alignments.

Ti-Cats by 7.

Friday

Montréal (3-3) at Edmonton (4-2)

The Als may be missing two of their top offensive assets, as both Jamel Richardson and Brandon Whittaker are listed as doubtful for Friday night's game.  They are facing arguably the most aggressive defence in the CFL, one that doesn't yield many points and comes up with huge turnovers.  As good as Anthony Calvillo still his, given the two holes in his offence and an Als' offensive line that has looked porous at times this year, I do not expect the Als to generate much scoring.  As I have written before, the Esks offence had scored enough points to have their D keep them in games this year.  This will also be the Esks debut for Cory Boyd, which gives the Esks another much-needed weapon on offence.  Maybe Eric Tillman figures that at the more often Steven Jyles hands off to Hugh Charles and Boyd, the less he will have to try to pass.

Eskimos by 6.

Saturday

Toronto (3-3) at Calgary (3-3)

I missed the Civic Holiday game between the Argos and the Lions (the first CFL game I have missed this year), but 9 points on offence speaks for itself.  The Argos response was to replace Boyd by Chad Kackert (evidently in great part due to Boyd's lack of blocking acumen) and juggle the offensive line.  This may give Ricky Ray much needed additional protection in the pocket.  Calgary has allowed the third least net yards this year (the Argos are second);  even with the additional protection, Ray may be challenged to move the ball with regularity.  Kevin Glenn had an awful game last week against the Ti-Cats (15-for-28, 141 yards); it will not get easier against the Argo D.  He has to find his receivers like he did in the 3 previous weeks for the Stamps to win.

A bit too much turmoil in Argo-land this week, so I will go with the home team.  Stamps by 3.

Sunday

Saskatchewan (3-3) at BC (4-2)

Broken record time:  BC is the class of the league.  The Lions' D has not allowed a TD in the past two games, which obviously takes a lot of pressure off the offence.  Saskatchewan is coming into BC Place having lost their last three.  There seems to be something missing on offence, which may be taking a tad too conservative approach for the CFL; Darien Durant has not put up huge numbers this year.  The Riders seem to be missing a deep threat.

Lions by 10.