This week at OddsTrader we look at two CFL Week 8 games: the Stampeders vs. Blue Bombers and the Argonauts vs. Redblacks.
Calgary Stampeders vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Saturday, July, 30, 2022 – 07:00 PM EDT at McMahon Stadium
Spread: Calgary Stampeders -1
Total: Over/Under 47
Will Calgary Make the Bye-Week Pay and Gain Quick Revenge?
The CFL Scheduling has been kind to Calgary, allowing them a bye-week before their West Division top-of-the-table clash with the reigning champions, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Having lost the reverse fixture in their last match in Winnipeg a couple of weeks ago, it will have given the Stampeders time to regroup.
It was a tense match with a small margin loss in Winnipeg and importantly good experience for the Stampeders against the best CFL side of the modern era.
Player Highlights
- Calgary wide-receiver, Kamar Jorden vowed a better performance in this return fixture, having only caught one of eight catches against the Blue Bombers.
- The place kicking of Rene Paredes was at its reliable best and he remains an integral part of their success this season so far.
Surely Fatigue Must Catch Up With the Bombers?
Last week’s match in Edmonton was the Bombers’ seventh week in succession. Any potential fatigue must be close to catching up after a seventh straight CFL win in 2022.
Going for a hat trick of Grey Cups in succession, Winnipeg has become so impressive and clinical in recent weeks with how they control the games.
It’s been 62 years since the Winnipeg Blue Bombers went 7-0 in their CFL campaigns as head coach, Mike O’Shea continues to command the respect of his peers and players.
Player Highlights
- Kicker, Marc Liegghio remains a huge constant especially when the games are low scoring like these previous two weeks.
- Wide receiver, Dalton Schoen clicked with an 81-yard touchdown taking his tally to three for the season.
- Quarterback, Zach Collaros made the 14-point difference, with his throwing form, adding a 26-yard touchdown for Rasheed Bailey.
Our Betting Pick
Winnipeg Blue Bombers did readers and followers at OddsTrader a nice favor last week when they comfortably covered the spread in Edmonton.
It’s fair to suggest that they face a far sterner test in Calgary this Saturday in their West Division clash. So much so, that the sportsbooks at OddsTrader make the Calgary Stampeders slight favorites.
Despite any potential fatigue, the spread tempts me on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at their Bet365 price of -110. After all, they are unbeaten.
CFL Pick: Winnipeg Blue Bombers +1 (-110) at Bet365
Toronto Argonauts vs. Ottawa Redblacks
Sunday, July, 31, 2022 – 06:00 PM EDT at BMO Field
Spread: Toronto Argonauts -5
Total: Over/Under 47.5
Maybe the Argonauts Were Flattered Last Week?
The CFL schedule fell nicely for the Toronto Argonauts last week as they managed to play a Saskatchewan Roughriders without ten first-team regulars. For that reason, I think we should take that result with a pinch of salt.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson commented how the signing of Andrew Harris has brought a ‘new level of toughness‘ to the Argonauts.
Player Highlights
- Kicker Boris Bede had a strong game, not flinching on his match-winning effort with only seconds remaining on the clock.
- New to the Argonauts team in the off-season, veteran CFL rusher, Andrew Harris earned his wages with 26 carries for 143 yards.
- Quarterback, McLeod Bethel-Thompson had a strong week’s work with close to 350 throwing yards, over 80% completion rate, two touchdowns, and only one interception.
Will the Redblacks Find That Elusive First Win?
This 2022 campaign is tough going for the Ottawa Redblacks who go into Sunday’s road-trip winless after a home loss to the Montreal Alouettes last week.
Two minutes into the second quarter, things looked brighter in Ottawa when they led 11-0 but it soon turned sour as the free-scoring Alouettes caught fire. Where does that leave the Redblacks?
Despite the six losses, amazingly, the Redblacks have kept five of them to one-score games so there must be some room for optimism that a win isn’t far away, although it won’t be easy in Toronto.
Player Highlights
- Quarterback Caleb Evans threw respectable yardage close to 300 but his completion rate was poor at 62.5%.
- Evans remains a constant threat to CFL teams with 52 rushing yards and two touchdowns from eight attempts on the ground.
- Darvin Adams caught his first CFL touchdown and over 100-yards.
- Jaelon Acklin had a phenomenal 133-yards from only five catches.
Our Betting Pick
With the Ottawa Redblacks next up, you could be mistaken for thinking the Toronto Argonauts cards are falling well for them so far this CFL season.
It’s difficult to make a case for the Redblacks winning, and the spread looks spot on to me.
With that in mind, I’m going to advise the Toronto Argonauts to win on the moneyline at the price of -210 with Bet365 to keep the Ottawa Redblacks winless.
CFL Pick: Toronto Argonauts ML (-210) at Bet365
