Phew! That was close. The three-game set for week five saw our Odds & Ends picks facing their possible first losing week. Fortunately, the Saturday Game pulled us through on the over with an avalanche of points.
We are sitting at 13-6 on the season with the Pick of the Week at 5-0. You can’t lose dough when you’re at 5-0. This week, we return to a full four games to be played.
Elks @ Alouettes
Things kick off Thursday in Montreal. Assuming the Alouettes can beat the Elks, who looked very weak against Calgary, the birds will take over the top spot in the East. Ahem, just after firing their head coach.
I’m not sure how the Montreal players will react. I’m also not sure of what the Elks are doing in general. I’m not convinced about either one of these squads in any of the three phases.
So, despite the smart choices, due to lack of certainty, being to either bet the over/under or take the favourites on the money line, I’m going to take Montreal, at home, to cover the healthy eight-point spread (-110).
Stampeders @ Blue Bombers
How quickly things change. The dominant performance by the champs put last week’s much-anticipated showdown in BC Place to rest early. Now, Mike O’Shea’s Bombers come home to face yet another “battle of the unbeaten.” Will Winnipeg repeat its overwhelming performance? Probably not.
But, I gotta think they win on their own field. Still, the even better bet is for these unbeaten teams to go over the 45-point over/under line (-110).
The Stamps have been fairly consistent at finding ways to score points and last week’s performance showed all three phases can contribute to Winnipeg’s scoring effort. We are taking the over.
Note: As of Tuesday evening, the line had moved to o/u 46.
Roughriders @ Argonauts – In Nova Scotia
It’s football in the east, as Touchdown Atlantic features the Riders and the double blue. After their slip at Montreal, the guys in green have righted their ship and are looking again like a true contender in the west. The Argos looked all right against the Bombers before their bye week.
I’m going with Saskatchewan to win on the money line and making the Touchdown Atlantic game our Play of the week. Saskatchewan is -125.
Note: as of Tuesday evening the Riders were at -145 on the Moneyline.
Redblacks @ Tiger-Cats
I have been riding with “just watch the Redblacks are about to improve” for a couple of seasons now. Last week’s performance made me a free agent, especially with the injury-driven change at the pivot.
I’m now signed with the “prove it first” crew. For this game though, I have to take the over, which seems low at 44 points (-110).
My picks this week are opening lines (overnight Monday/Tuesday) from DraftKings sportsbook. I do make plays other than those I suggest in the Odds & Ends column.
Take time to enjoy the games, especially Touchdown Atlantic. And, if you wager, do so responsibly.
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