Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — With only eight games left in the CFL Pick ‘Em season, the time to make a move is now.
CORBEYC is just two weeks away from a wire-to-wire win, leading the rest of the pack by nearly 1,300 points. But the race among writers has intensified, with two games separating the top four in the standings.
Pat Steinberg leads the way with a 49-23 record this season, but Matthew Cauz and Jim Morris (48-24) are only a game back while Don Landry (47-25) is also in contention.
With three highly-contested games plus one more with upset potential, there’s some disagreement in Week 19.
CFL Pick ‘Em is back in 2017 with 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.
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HAM at OTT
Post-season elimination has not hindered the spirit of the Ticats, who continued their late-season surge in a 43-16 win over Montreal. With five wins dating back to Labour Day, June Jones and Jeremiah Masoli have this team competing like a Grey Cup contender.
While it’s too little too late for the Tabbies, Ottawa is seeking capital gains this week in a bid to win the East. Expect Trevor Harris to be dialed in: In his last two games, the second-year REDBLACK has rolled up 642 passing yards, generating 63 points and 804 yards of offence for his team.
PICK
Writers: 71% Ottawa
Fans: 70% Ottawa
MTL at SSK
The Alouettes haven’t won in two and a half months, and things don’t appear to be getting better. In a 43-16 home loss to Hamilton last week, the Als compiled only 272 net yards and turned the ball over four times. Meanwhile, the Riders are coming off their defining game of 2017 (so far), handing the Stamps their first loss at McMahon in two years.
It feels like centuries ago that a defiant Darian Durant stared down Chris Jones and the Riders’ bench after defeating his former team back in June. Still, Durant’s return to Regina will be no less sentimental as the former Rider visits new Mosaic Stadium for the first time ever.
PICK
Writers: 100% Saskatchewan
Fans: 96% Saskatchewan
BC at WPG
The Lions and Bombers are accustomed to putting up points, but the last time they met was a defensive struggle with the Bombers failing to score an offensive touchdown. How Winnipeg manages the loss of Darvin Adams is worth monitoring, with the offence generating only 515 net yards the last two games.
From Wally Buono’s perspective, the next two weeks will be about evaluating his younger talent — including young quarterback Jonathon Jennings. Jennings needs a strong finish to help ease what’s been a difficult second season as the Leos’ face of the franchise.
PICK
Writers: 86% Winnipeg
Fans: 89% Winnipeg
CGY at EDM
A possible playoff preview unfolds at Commonwealth Stadium, although the matchup is already familiar as Alberta rivals exchange ‘pleasantries’, we’ll call it, for the third time in eight weeks.
The Esks have exchanged massive winning and losing streaks this year, and the good news for them is the CFL’s streakiest team is currently on a three-game winning streak. There’s bad news, too, however: The Stampeders are coming off a loss, and they haven’t lost two regular season games in a row since July 12, 2012.
PICK
Writers: 86% Edmonton
Fans: 62% Calgary
