By Bob Coatsworth,
CFL.ca
Montreal (5-3) @ B.C. Lions (5-2-1)
Friday, August 31 – 10:30 PM ET
B.C. has won three straight games against Montreal and nine of the last 10. To find the last time the Als knocked off the defending Grey Cup champs you have to go back to October of 2005 for a barnburner that finished in a 46-44 result.
This Friday’s game has the makings to be as close as that was, although the two teams won’t combine for anywhere near 90 points unless both sides agree to play with six defenders each.
This week’s game will be a black-and-blue battle featuring two of the league’s hardest runners. Montreal’s Jarrett Payton prevailed in his showdown with Jesse Lumsden last Saturday, but doesn’t have much time to rest the bruised ribs he suffered in that contest as he’ll travel cross-country to take on a back of similar bruising style in Joe Smith.
Head coach Jim Popp has fallen in love with Payton since he became the new starter. The Alouettes have won four straight since that time and have been playing incredible defence allowing 17 points per game during the streak. Is it a coincidence that Popp’s third son, born this past Saturday, was named Payton-James?
The Lions are banged up. Barron Miles is coming off a concussion. Javy Glatt isn’t sure about his the ligament injury to his left ankle. Geroy Simon will play with a sore lower back, while offensive lineman Rob Murphy will have to suffer through a hip pointer problem.
Seventy percent of FSN Team Pick’em players are taking the Lions on Friday.
Pick: Montreal 26, B.C. Lions 18
Winnipeg (5-2-1) @ Saskatchewan (6-2)
Sunday, September 2 – 4:00 PM ET
The annual prairie clash hasn’t meant this much in years. Why? Both clubs are at the top of their divisions and need victories to stay ahead of the Lions and Alouettes, who are nipping at their heels.
Charles Roberts needs 49 yards to pass Leo Lewis as the Bombers’ all-time rushing leader. Roberts leads the CFL with 722 rushing yards but will need some extra effort to squeak through gaps few and far between in the Riders’ top-ranked run defence.
The Riders have won four consecutive games and the last three meetings at Mosaic Stadium with the Bombers. They’ve been off since August 18 and will wear a retro third jersey on Sunday. The retro jerseys are a basic green-and-white and look very much like the version they wore in 1976, the last time they were 6-2 and had sole possession of first spot in the West.
Seventy-eight percent of FSN Team Pick’em players are on the Riders’ bandwagon. They probably should be. The West has an 8-3-1 record against the East so far this season.
Pick: Saskatchewan 31, Winnipeg 20
Toronto (2-6) @ Hamilton (1-7)
Monday, September 3 – 1:00 PM ET
Despite a five-game losing streak, there is hope on the horizon for the Toronto Argonauts. Michael Bishop is expected to play in the Labour Day Classic. His much ballyhooed return will be a welcome to Toronto fans. The Argos have lost every game since he broke his wrist nearly two months ago.
Toronto has scored an average of 15 points per game in his absence and haven’t been able to find success with any of the three replacements they’ve used. The situation got so bad offensively on Friday, that the Argos started to use trick plays in an attempt to score. Their lone touchdown, in a 15-13 loss to Winnipeg, was a jump-ball touchdown throw to Byron Parker – a player whose regular position is defensive back.
After an encouraging few weeks the Tiger-Cats took a big step backward in Week 9. In a 27-9 defeat in Montreal all the old problems resurfaced for Hamilton. To summarize, the ‘Cats were stricken with: a poor showing from the offensive line, bad quarterbacking, inept offence, fumbles, dropped passes and of course, too many penalties.
You’d have to be crazy to think the Ticats can bounce back, right? Stop using Jesse Lumsden as a decoy and see what transpires. Toronto is the perfect opponent to start against.
Fifty-one percent of FSN Team Pick’em players are picking the Argonauts.
Pick: Hamilton 33, Toronto 31
Edmonton (3-4-1) @ Calgary (3-4-1)
Monday, September 3 – 4:00 PM ET
When these two teams faced off a month ago it made for one of the most entertaining games played this season. The Stamps and Eskimos slugged back and forth, and in the end it was just a 34-yard field goal from Sandro DeAngelis that made the difference in a 34-32 victory for Calgary.
Both clubs match up well. Minus Marc Boerigter, Calgary still a little longer on offensive talent, but the Esks are no slouch. Edmonton thought they might get Jason Tucker back this week, but his return looks doubtful. Danny Maciocia is still holding out hope to have veteran guard Dan Comiskey and running back Tyler Ebell return to action. Injuries are taking a toll on Ricky Ray and the Esks so far in 2007.
Little progress has been made defensively so you can expect Monday’s game to be just as wide open as the last. Home-field advantage could be the difference. Calgary is 8-2-1 in their last 11 games at McMahon Stadium, although the clubs have split their last 10 against each other.
Seventy-three percent of FSN Team Pick’em players are going with the Stampeders.
Pick: Calgary 41, Edmonton 28
Bob Coatsworth is Content Producer at TheScore.ca 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)
