CFL Week 5 Betting Preview

CFL Week 5 Betting Preview

Written by on July 10, 2018

It’s another great week in the Canadian Football League headlined by Thursday’s huge matchup between Grey Cup favorite Calgary and the Ottawa RedBlacks. In addition to Calgary vs Ottawa, Toronto battles Edmonton and Winnipeg takes on BC. Check out our CFL Week 5 betting preview and picks!

CFL Week 5 Betting Preview

Calgary Stampeders -3 at Ottawa RedBlacks +3

The Stampeders are only giving the RedBlacks even though Calgary beat Ottawa 24 to 14 on June 28. That game is a good one to analyze to consider what might happen in this battle. In that game, Calgary outscored Ottawa 14 to 7 in the fourth quarter. Before the extra TD, heading into the fourth, the score was Ottawa 7, Calgary 10. Ottawa starting QB Trevor Harris didn’t play a full game. Some thought Harris might not play again this season. He did in the RedBlacks very next game, dominating Montreal with a 342 yards, 3 TD performance. Ottawa, no doubt, is a better team at home then on the road. Just look at their 40 to 17 beat down of Saskatchewan in their first game of the season. The key in this battle is whether Ottawa’s offense can get past the number one ranked defense in the CFL. Calgary allows an incredibly low 11.7 points per. That’s straight up Alabama D style on a much larger football field. Opponents rush for 85 yards per versus Calgary. If Ottawa is to upset the Stampeders, now’s the time. It’s difficult to sign off on a money line upset, but the fact that Ottawa hung with Calgary up until the fourth in their last means that the RedBlacks have a shot to keep it desperately close, though. I’ll go with Ottawa against the spread. Pick: Ottawa RedBlacks

Toronto Argonauts +7 at Edmonton Eskimos -7

Based on Toronto’s performances so far this season, they should have no business sticking with Edmonton on Thursday. The Argonauts lost 19 to 27 to Edmonton in their first game. In their second game, Calgary dominated the Argos 41 to 7. Ah, but look what happened in Toronto’s third game this season? They beat the Edmonton Eskimos straight up 20 to 17. Toronto had to outscore Edmonton 8 to 3 in the fourth quarter to get the win. Does that mean the Eskimos should be favored by a TD? Yes, they should. Does that mean they cover? Again, that’s a yes. Toronto got lucky to beat Edmonton by 3 points. The Eskimos should be looking for payback in this game. Pick: Edmonton Eskimos

Winnipeg Blue Bombers Off at BC Lions Off

Odds makers are having trouble setting odds for Winnipeg at BC because Lions’ starting QB Travis Lulay remains hurt. Lulay got hurt in the Week 1 victory over Montreal. Since then, BC hasn’t been close in two straight losses. Winnipeg easily covered as a -6.5 home favorite in the Lions’ last battle. The Blue Bombers dumped on BC 41 to 19. The line should rise about a point to a point and a half, Winnipeg -8 seems right. Will the Blue Bombers cover? Yes, they will. Pick: Winnipeg Blue Bombers