We've reached the penultimate week of the CFL season, and despite everything that's been decided, a lot remains uncertain. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders can claim playoff spots this week, while the Montreal Alouettes hope to stay in contention for first place in the East and the Edmonton Elks hope to stay alive, period.
Vancouver reporter JC Abbott remains the top pick in our straight pick, while Regina reporter Brendan McGuire has a strong edge in our pick against the spread. Below are our picks for Week 20 of the CFL.
Friday, October 17: Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-7) at 8:00 pm ET.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are the touchdown favorites over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night as the Green and White send their B team to Princess Auto Stadium. AJ Ouellette KeeSean JohnsonSamuel Emilus, Jermarcus Hardrick, Micah Johnson and Marcus Sales are among those who will not dress having already secured first place, while Trevor Harris, Kian Shaffer-Baker and Logan Ferland are listed as alternates. This leaves Jake Mayer will make his second start of the season at quarterback.. Meanwhile the bombers still need a win and some help to secure a playoff spotBut Veteran Canadian wide receiver Nick Demski will be missing. help them do it, but will bring back American Kerik Whitfall and defender Demerio Houston.
ABBOTT: This game will be closer than it should be, but not close enough to cover.
Directly: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Winnipeg.
BALLANTINE: The Bombers need to win one and lose one to create absolute chaos with four 9-9 teams in the West. This is the one they win.
Directly: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Winnipeg.
SPICY: Bombers MUST have this.
Directly: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Winnipeg.
GASSON: Winnipeg simply must win this match. Do I trust their grievances enough to hide them? I don't know.
Directly: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Saskatchewan.
HERRERA-VERGARA: Winnipeg's back is against the wall and the Riders will have reinforcements.
Directly: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Winnipeg.
HODGE: If the Blue Bombers can't beat the Saskatchewan backups, they should just pack them up now.
Directly: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Winnipeg.
HOSKINS: The Bombers get the second-tier Raiders, and key players are rested for the playoffs. It should be simple.
Directly: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Winnipeg.
KLEIN: I know the Riders have backups, but I don't think Corey Mays is going to let his team fall apart no matter who's playing.
Directly: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Saskatchewan.
McGuire: Riders will be calm and relaxed while playing for money at home. The bombers will be alarmed. But I still like Winnipeg at home tonight. Saskatchewan will be more worried about the Blue Jays than the Roughriders.
Directly: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Saskatchewan.
THOMAS: Second place in Saskatchewan beat out best in Winnipeg.
Direct: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Saskatchewan.
RESULTS STRAIGHT: Winnipeg 9, Saskatchewan 1.
TOTAL BY SPREAD: Winnipeg 6, Saskatchewan 4.
Friday, October 17: Edmonton Elks vs. BC Lions (-6) at 10:30 p.m. ET.
The BC Lions are six-point home favorites over the Edmonton Elks on Friday night, where they will look to keep their foot on the gas as they attempt to secure second place in the West Division. Former Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Dejon Allen will return for the Lions at right tackle. after a long-sided injury, and Jarell Broxton will return to left tackle. Meanwhile Edmonton we present essentially the same composition it came with last week's win and she needs another win to keep their faint playoff hopes alive.
ABBOTT: Rourke treated the Elks harshly during his career. It seems fitting that he should be the one to lay them down.
Straight Up: BC Against Spread: BC
BALLANTINE: The CFL's chaos machine (patent pending) requires the Elks to win this game to stay alive – pickham personal bests be damned.
Live broadcast: Edmonton. Anti-spread: Edmonton.
SPICY: I would have loved to have seen the Moose win just because of the potential for chaos, but I think BC is simply the better team.
Direct: BK. Against the spread: Edmonton.
GASSON: If this game were played in Edmonton, it could be interesting. I expect the Lions to do just fine within the cozy confines of BC Place.
Straight Up: BC Against Spread: BC
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Lions will play at home, they want a home playoff game and they need it to get it.
Straight Up: BC Against Spread: BC
HODGE: The Moose are the best team in the CFL right now, but the Lions are the best team in the CFL right now.
Straight Up: BC Against Spread: BC
HOSKINS: Edmonton still has a chance, but the BC is working at full capacity. The moose keep him close.
Direct: BK. Against the spread: Edmonton.
KLEIN: Nathan Rourke has found a different gear and now faces an Edmonton pass defense that he twice torched.
Straight Up: BC Against Spread: BC
McGuire: Should be a great game, but Home Sweet Dome will be too much for the Elks to overcome.
Direct: BK. Against the spread: Edmonton.
THOMAS: Do you believe in miracles?
Live broadcast: Edmonton. Anti-spread: Edmonton.
RESULTS STRAIGHT: BC 8, Edmonton 2.
TOTAL BY SPREAD: BC 5, Edmonton 5.
Saturday, October 18: Montreal Alouettes vs. Ottawa Redblacks (+9) at 3:00 pm ET.
On Saturday afternoon, the Ottawa Redblacks lost by nine points at home to the Montreal Alouettes, where they have nothing to play for after being eliminated from postseason contention a couple of weeks ago. Tyree Adams will start at quarterback for the first time since 2023.where Dustin Crum battles a head injury. Montreal, meanwhile, is essentially healthy and could still finish first in the East Division. after beating Ottawa 30–10 on Thanksgiving Day. The Alouettes will also have good angry Davis Alexanderwho called last week's game “probably the worst game” of his career.
ABBOTT: Montreal would sleep just enough to allow Ottawa to cover for the second time.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Ottawa.
BALLANTINE: Ho hmm, what else is going on?
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
SPICY: I'd like to believe the Red and Blacks are upset, but they haven't given me anything to believe in.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Ottawa.
GASSON: See last week's comment.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Als are already in the playoffs. Redblacks just don't.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
HODGE: The red-blacks have fallen and cannot rise.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
HOSKINS: This Ottawa developmental game. Montreal repeats its W from last week.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
KLEIN: The Alouettes are better at football than the Redblacks.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
McGuire: Tyree Adams looked like a tremendous player when he came on board two years ago, and I'm willing to bet he has some magic up his sleeve this weekend.
Direct: Ottawa. Anti-spread: Ottawa.
THOMAS: It's hard to play for the same team twice. It's more difficult when you can take your opponent for granted.
Direct: Ottawa. Anti-spread: Ottawa.
RESULTS STRAIGHT: Montreal 8, Ottawa 2.
TOTAL BY SPREAD: Montreal 6, Ottawa 4.
Saturday, October 18: Toronto Argonauts vs. Calgary Stampeders (-9) at 7:00 pm ET.
The Calgary Stampeders are nine-point home favorites over the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday night as they look to keep their hopes of hosting a playoff game alive. The Stampeders snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over Hamilton last week, although it looks like right tackle Josh Coker and cornerback Damon Webb will both miss the game. The Argonauts, meanwhile, will finish the season before a bye Week 21 after being eliminated from playoff contention a couple of weeks ago.
ABBOTT: Rest in peace, Jarrett Dodge. We are unlikely.
Directly: Calgary. Anti-spread: Calgary.
BALLANTINE: I tried to keep up, and I really succeeded.
Directly: Calgary. Anti-spread: Calgary.
SPICY: Stamps MUST have this on them.
Directly: Calgary. Anti-spread: Calgary.
GASSON: Who are the stamps? Not sure, but this should be enough to win. Toronto will keep it a secret, just like them.
Directly: Calgary. Anti-spread: Toronto.
HERRERA-VERGARA: Too much depends on Calgary, but Toronto is fighting.
Directly: Calgary. Anti-spread: Toronto.
HODGE: The Argonauts hold it in their final game of the season.
Directly: Calgary. Anti-spread: Toronto.
HOSKINS: Can Toronto do the one job I've asked Hamilton to do for the past two weeks? Nope.
Directly: Calgary. Anti-spread: Toronto.
KLEIN: Stamps in despair. The Argos are just seeing what they have next year. Calgary is preparing another strike.
Directly: Calgary. Anti-spread: Calgary.
McGuire: The Boatmen looked good in Regina and seemed to embrace the spoiler role. I just don't trust the Stamps anymore.
Direct: Toronto. Anti-spread: Toronto.
THOMAS: Ryan Dinwiddie contributes to playoff chaos.
Direct: Toronto. Anti-spread: Toronto.
RESULTS STRAIGHT: Calgary 8, Toronto 2.
TOTAL BY SPREAD: Toronto 6, Calgary 4.
Records 2025 (straight)
Abbott – 48–25
McGwire – 46-27
HOSKINS – 46-27
THOMAS – 46-27
HODGE – 44-29
BALLANTINE – 44-29
HERRERA-VERGARA – 44-29
KLEIN – 42-31
GASSON – 38–35
SHARP – 37-36
2025 records (against spread)
McGwire – 49-24
THOMAS – 41-32
ABBOTT – 40–33
HERRERA-VERGARA – 39–34
SPICY – 38-35
BALLANTINE – 36–37
HODGE – 34-39
HOSKINS – 34–39
KLEIN – 34–39
GASSON – 33-40
