By Bob Coatsworth
CFL.ca
1. Stampeders continue to roll – Throw out all Calgary’s recent history in Edmonton where they’ve lost six of their last seven, including an 18-14 defeat in Week 2. The Stamps are playing their best football of the season and have confidence and winning momentum on their side. Those are very important elements in the CFL, as the amount of winning and losing streaks right now indicates. Tonight’s game won’t be a repeat of Monday’s 44-23 romp. The Eskimos have played decent football at home this season (3-2), and will keep the game tight throughout. It will take a late fourth-quarter touchdown to get Calgary the victory. Look for Henry Burris to be the difference late. I’m thinking a roll out to the right, no receivers open and a dive into the end zone. Calgary wins 24-19.
2. Troy Davis will total more than 100 yards – You’re going to see the Eskimos utilize a quick-decision offence tonight in order to protect Ricky Ray. Without Dan Comiskey on the offensive line Monday, Ray was hurried constantly and sacked five times. It looks like Comiskey’s post-concussion problems will keep him from playing, so Davis’ role in the offence is going to increase. He ran for 42 yards on seven carries last week and made three catches for 37 yards. Davis is bound to make six or seven catches tonight for close to 70 yards on quick dump-offs and screens. His rushing numbers should top out around the 50-yard mark.
3. Argos will do enough to win five in a row – Considering the way Hamilton’s been playing, forecasting an Argos win isn’t like picking the winning Super 7 numbers. On the other hand, my sanity would come into question if I predicted the Ticats victory. You can see what I’m up against. Nonetheless, Saturday’s game was close until Jason Maas started a run on interceptions in the fourth quarter. I expect this week’s game to be similar to last, excluding the final-period meltdown. Reliable defence will be played on both sides of the ball. Arland Bruce will supply two of Toronto’s three majors, while Bashir Levingston will get the other, making his debut in the backfield. Boatmen win 25-20.
4. Tiger-Cats will score not one touchdown, but two – Scoring offensive touchdowns has been more difficult at Ivor Wynne, but is a general disorder for the Ticats. In their last four games they have one offensive score. It came on a 12-yard pass from Maas to Josh Ranek in their 46-15 loss to Saskatchewan a few weeks ago. Before that you have to go back to Week 8 in Winnipeg when Maas threw two majors, one to Brock Ralph and the other to Ranek. Unfortunately for Maas, Toronto’s pass coverage is too tough to solve, so a touchdown won’t come off his throwing arm. Instead, he’ll score on a goal-line plunge. Corey Holmes will also cross the stripe. Holmes is going to be the feature back with Ranek out indefinitely. He was one of Hamilton’s only bright spots collecting 112 yards on 16 attempts last Saturday.
5. Bombers win Banjo Bowl – Seeking revenge from last week’s 39-12 dismantling and a 19-17 Banjo Bowl defeat in 2005, the Bombers will find a way to win. Despite having all their winning ingredients back in the lineup last Sunday, Winnipeg somehow managed to play worse than ever. That won’t be the case this time. Kevin Glenn and Milt Stegall will team up for two majors, getting the “Turtle Man” within one touchdown of the all-time record he’s chasing. This should be the most entertaining game of the weekend. Although Saskatchewan’s defence is improving and Winnipeg’s has been strong all season, I don’t expect either team to be able to stop each other’s offence. Blue Bombers win 34-27.
Bob Coatsworth works as an editorial coordinator at The Score Television Network and has been a fantasy sports enthusiast for years.
(The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily of the Canadian Football League)
