Weekly Predictor: Can the Alouettes make it two straight?

TORONTO — Edmonton taking down the Blue Bombers; Calgary dominating the Tiger-Cats in their first game since losing a teammate; BC overpowering the REDBLACKS in an offensive showcase and Montreal getting their first win under the club’s new head coach led CFL.ca’s Jamie Nye to a 4-0 record last week.

This week Nye looks to keep his perfect record intact in his Weekly Predictor.

CFL Pick ‘Em returns with more up for grabs than ever before because this season more than $130,000 in combined cash and prizes are up for grabs.*

Pick 30 in a row, win $30,000; pick 40, win $40,000; think you can pick 50 straight? You’re looking at $50,000. *View rules regarding streaks and prizing.

Here’s Jamie Nye with his picks for Week 16:

» CFL PICK ‘EM: MAKE YOUR PICKS TODAY

SASKATCHEWAN @ OTTAWA

Trevor Harris will hope to carry the momentum from his 485 yard night from last week in Week 16 (CFL.ca)

The Roughriders are coming off a bye week but also heading into this game on a rare two-game win streak. It’s been over two years since the Riders won back to back games and the same goes for a three game winning streak.

They have figured it out or they’ve figured each other out. However, this still isn’t going to be an easy road game as the Riders have been awful going out East. So much so, Chris Jones changed their travel schedule because of it.

Ottawa, meanwhile, is in a big fight to stay in first place in the East Division as they try to clinch home field advantage for the East Final. Trevor Harris and the REDBLACKS showed well in a loss to the BC Lions and I think they carry some momentum forward into this one.

Riders keep it close.

» PICK: OTTAWA (20% confidence)

— — — — —

BC @ WINNIPEG

Can Winnipeg take down the Lions and catch them for second place? (The Canadian Press)

It is playoff football weather on the prairies with highs that may not hit double digits on Saturday and this is the perfect game for that kind of weather.

These two teams are going to go on a home and home set with second place on the line as well as trying to keep the Edmonton Eskimos from catching them for third. I’m a little worried about the Bombers play in games against the Stamps and Esks the last two weeks. They had that amazing second half but you can’t ignore the terrible first half in Calgary. They also were down two touchdowns at halftime last week.

The Lions, meanwhile, have been in almost every game they’ve played this season. Add to that Terrell Sinkfield is already making an impact to an already top notch receiving group against a secondary that can give up a lot of yards.

» PICK: BC (50% confidence)

— — — — —

EDMONTON @ MONTREAL

Will Rakeem Cato lead his Als to another victory this week? (CFL.ca)

I’m picking the Montreal Alouettes and here is why.

They have a defense that is going to make Mike Reilly a frustrated quarterback and he won’t have time to find the plays that will need to be made for the Eskimos to win.

That’s just a hunch but the Alouettes have the best defense in the league, in terms of points allowed per game, and that is quite something when you consider their offense has struggled.

But last week, the offense came to life with Jacques Chapdelaine as the head coach and play caller. A coaching change seems to have put some energy and attitude back on the Alouette sideline so I’m going with the upset on Thanksgiving Monday.

» PICK: MONTREAL (0% confidence)

— — — — —

CALGARY @ TORONTO

Can the Stampeders keep it rolling with another win this week? (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)

Scott Milanovich definitely wanted to send a message to his team through the media and through his actions. The four players cut, including three of the teams top receivers, definitely showed the Head Coach means business to get this team back on track after they were embarrassed by a team who were going through their own drama.

The problem for Toronto this week is they have to take on the Calgary Stampeders, who are seriously threatening to set a CFL record with a 16-1-1 record. I’m having a hard time seeing who could beat the Stamps other than the potential of them resting some starters and Bo Levi Mitchell going into the playoffs.

The Argos play will improve, but not enough to beat Calgary.

» PICK: CALGARY (75% confidence)

CFL on DraftKings

With CFL now on DraftKings, Nye checks in with his weekly fantasy roster. Set your lineup today!

This is a hard week to predict with the questions on health, especially among running backs in Edmonton, BC and Winnipeg.

So I’m playing it safe with Curtis Steele, who had a decent week two weeks ago and I think the Riders will stay committed to a balanced attack against the REDBLACKS. However, that is the safe play not knowing who is in or out yet for the week, especially Monday’s games. BC and Edmonton RBs would be my choice if you’re waiting until Sunday’s depth charts come out.

I usually like going with less valued quarterbacks in good match-ups but this is something I can’t pass up, which is Bo Levi Mitchell facing a team that gave up 30+ against a struggling offence out of Montreal last week.

Plus, there is GREAT value among receivers, and Kenny Shaw’s looks should jump immediately with Tori Gurley, Vidal Hazelton and Kevin Elliott in Toronto. All Argo receivers value goes up with a chance to impress and they should be a motivated group, but Shaw is the best of the bunch.

Terrell Sinkfield had a tremendous game last week and I think he continues to pay off with a great price to go along with his big play potential, but now it’s Arcenaux’s time to get some extra room with Sinkfield and Burnham and Gore giving opposition defences nightmares.

If you haven’t noticed, I’m putting in Adarius Bowman almost weekly. He or Derel Walker. Get them in your lineup and keep them in your lineup. The targets are never ending from Mike Reilly.

I’m playing it safe with Calgary on defence because Toronto has a lot to figure out. The danger is their changes equate to an offensive eruption, but I’m not predicting that will actually happen.