There are only three weeks left in the CFL regular season, and it brings a lot of intrigue with the Saskatchewan Roughriders hoping to secure first place in the West Division, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes still fighting for first place in the East Division, and the Edmonton Elks fighting to keep their hopes alive. playoffs
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 19 of the CFL.
Friday, October 10: Toronto Argonauts vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders (-10.5) at 9:00 pm ET.
The Roughriders could move into first place in the West Division with a win this week, but they'll have to do it without Roland Milligan Jr.reigning CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player and 1,000-yard receiver Donte Meyers. The Argonauts, who will start Jarrett Doege in place of the injured Nick Arbuckle, already eliminated from postseason contention And made five changes to their starting line-up since last week. Perennial star midfielder Wynton McManis is out for the season.giving way to sophomore Isaac Darcangelo.
ABBOTT: Toronto is toast, but the Riders' secondary can still burn.
Direct: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Toronto.
BALLANTINE: This is withPread seems high for teams playing on opposite ends of the proverbial rope.
Direct: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Toronto.
SPICY: Forget about all the problems the guys in green might have. Toronto won't have the best playmakers on offense (Arbuckle) or defense (McManis).
Direct: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Saskatchewan.
GASSON: The state of the Riders' secondary worries me, but they should be able to stay afloat this week. With that said, this spread seems large for an offense that is struggling.
Direct: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Toronto.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Riders will look to secure a spot in the West Division this week while the Argos play Jarrett Doege.
Direct: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Toronto.
HODGE: The Roughriders should have no problem covering that spread if Toronto continues to turn the ball over.
Direct: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Saskatchewan.
HOSKINS: Toronto is eliminated from next year's tournament and the Roughriders are aiming for a spot in the Western finals.
Direct: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Saskatchewan.
KLEIN: Saskatchewan should be able to get things in order with their offense, but this is a group that has only had a couple of big wins this season. I expect Toronto to keep this under control.
Direct: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Saskatchewan.
McGuire: The Riders have some pretty serious injuries in the secondary that could tie the game. However, I still have a hard time seeing Jarrett Dogg or Tucker Horn scoring enough points to win.
Direct: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Toronto.
THOMAS: Toronto's injuries, combined with their struggles in the secondary, will be too much to overcome. I've never liked double-digit spreads, but I wouldn't be surprised if Saskatchewan covers them.
Direct: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Toronto.
RESULTS STRAIGHT: Saskatchewan 10, Toronto 0.
TOTAL BY SPREAD: Toronto 6, Saskatchewan 4.
Saturday, October 11: Calgary Stampeders vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-3) at 3:00 pm ET.
The Stampeders are on a four-game losing streak. made head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson question the executions of his players.although he remains pleased with their efforts. Vernon Adams Jr. has six interceptions over his last three games for Calgary, more than doubling his per-game average from his first 11 games of the season. Meanwhile, the Tiger Cats are coming off an impressive win over the Argonauts. where Beau Levi Mitchell and Julian Hosar received weekly awards. Hamilton has already punched his ticket to the playoffs, but still hopes to take first place in the East Division by chasing the Montreal Alouettes.
ABBOTT: Anyone who went back in time to lead the 2024 Calgary Stampeders into this playoff race doesn't deserve his DeLorean.
Straight up: Hamilton. Against the reversal: Hamilton.
BALLANTINE: Another week with Mauldin sliding into Orimolad's spot looks more comfortable and Bo doesn't have Rourke's mobility.
Directly: Calgary. Anti-spread: Calgary.
SPICY: It definitely feels like these are two teams going in opposite directions.
Straight up: Hamilton. Against the reversal: Hamilton.
GASSON: Hamilton hopes to move closer to first place in the East Division while Calgary falls short.
Straight up: Hamilton. Against the reversal: Hamilton.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Stampeders need one more, and an emergency should lead to a victory.
Directly: Calgary. Anti-spread: Calgary.
HODGE: Until the Stampeders prove they can win without Folarin Orimolada, I'm ruling them out.
Straight up: Hamilton. Against the reversal: Hamilton.
HOSKINS: The Tigercats are back in action, but Calgary is still struggling with the fall. Mauldin helps, but he's no Flo.
Straight up: Hamilton. Against the reversal: Hamilton.
KLEIN: Mitchell has a chance to add to his former team's misery. I can't imagine him letting this pass him by.
Straight up: Hamilton. Against the reversal: Hamilton.
McGuire: I don't see any signs of life for the Stampeders and Bo usually has a little extra for games against Calgary.
Straight up: Hamilton. Against the reversal: Hamilton.
THOMAS: Calgary has been off the rails for a while now and I don't see them making it in the Hummer.
Straight up: Hamilton. Against the reversal: Hamilton.
RESULTS STRAIGHT: Hamilton 8, Calgary 2.
TOTAL BY SPREAD: Hamilton 8, Calgary 2.
Saturday, October 11: Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Edmonton Elks (+3.5) at 7:00 pm ET.
The Blue Bombers are one of the hottest teams in the CFL, most recently beating the Tiger-Cats 40-3. Zach Collaros had his best performance of the season in the win, throwing for 367 yards and a touchdown, and Chris Streveler added three scores on the ground. The Elks have won five of their last eight games and closed out nine of their last 10, although their playoff hopes are quickly fading. If a team wants to have any chance of making the postseason, this is a must-win game and preferably wins by at least 14 points to secure the season series.
ABBOTT: Let chaos reign.
Live broadcast: Edmonton. Anti-spread: Edmonton.
BALLANTINE: Edmonton is getting better and better, but that's where it ends.
Direct: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Winnipeg.
SPICY: This is the game of the week. Historically, bombers have been deadly, so I'll take a closer look at them.
Directly: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Edmonton.
GASSON: What kind of Winnipeg will we see? Moose are fighting for survival.
Live broadcast: Edmonton. Anti-spread: Edmonton.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Elks need it to have a good chance of making the playoffs, but the Blue Bombers are making progress.
Direct: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Edmonton.
HODGE: The Moose are better than their record, but Winnipeg is now successfully completing all three stages. The Blue Bombers score a field goal.
Directly: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Edmonton.
HOSKINS: Mark Killam has the Elks playing motivated football.
Live broadcast: Edmonton. Anti-spread: Edmonton.
KLEIN: Edmonton has been playing better lately, so I expect them to keep things under control. With that said, I can't pick them to beat Winnipeg in the big game the Blue Bombers need.
Directly: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Edmonton.
McGuire: This is the game of the week and it should be awesome. I expect Fajardo to lose, but the Blue Bombers are coming together and Mike O'Shea is 24-3 after several weeks since 2016, including the playoffs.
Directly: Winnipeg. Anti-spread: Edmonton.
THOMAS: “Moose” has his back against the wall, which gives me the feeling that they will rise to the occasion. I expect this matter to be resolved in the last few minutes.
Live broadcast: Edmonton. Anti-spread: Edmonton.
RESULTS STRAIGHT: Winnipeg 6, Edmonton 4.
TOTAL BY SPREAD: Edmonton 9, Winnipeg 1.
Monday, October 13: Ottawa Redblacks vs. Montreal Alouettes (-13.5) at 12:00 pm ET.
The Redblacks are already watching from the sidelines, having been eliminated from postseason contention following last week's loss to Saskatchewan. With the team in the country next year, it remains to be seen how young a squad they will field to possibly try to gain an advantage next year. The Alouettes, meanwhile, have looked like a completely different team lately with Davis Alexander under center. The 26-year-old is 9-0 as a CFL starter dating back to last season and has won all five of his starts this year. There's a reason this spread of points is so lopsided.
ABBOTT: The fact that this game will be played on Thanksgiving Day is a national travesty.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Ottawa.
BALLANTINE: This game may be Thanksgiving turkey, but there won't be enough cranberry sauce to cover it.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Ottawa.
SPICY: The team with the most at stake wins, but the hallmark of Bob Dies' tenure as head coach is that his team fights to the final whistle. Alouettes will not be able to cover this spread in any way.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Ottawa.
GASSON: I don't think there's much to say here.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Als should win, but the Redblacks won't lose that easily.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Ottawa.
HODGE: This variation is huge, but all the advantages point to Alouettes.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
HOSKINS: Alexander makes this game not close. Ottawa continues to struggle.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
KLEIN: Despite everything Montreal has had to deal with this season, they are in no position to let off the gas.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
McGuire: The Redblacks just want the season to end, while the Alouettes are peaking at just the right time. This matchup is like a dog with fleas.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
THOMAS: One team knows they are done, and the other plays their best football. It shouldn't be close.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
RESULTS STRAIGHT: Montreal 10, Ottawa 0.
TOTAL BY SPREAD: Montreal 6, Ottawa 4.
Records 2025 (straight)
Abbott – 45–24
McGwire – 44-25
HOSKINS – 43-26
THOMAS – 43-26
HODGE – 42-27
BALLANTINE – 41-28
HERRERA-VERGARA – 41-28
KLEIN – 40-29
SPICY – 35-34
GASSON – 35–34
2025 records (against spread)
McGwire – 46-23
ABBOTT – 38-31
THOMAS – 38-31
SHARP – 37-32
HERRERA-VERGARA – 36-33
BALLANTINE – 34–35
HODGE – 32-37
HOSKINS – 32–37
KLEIN – 32-37
GASSON – 30–39
