3DownNation CFL Week 20 predictions: best bets for Riders at Bombers, Elks at Lions

It may seem like we're just getting ready for the start of the year, but we're quickly approaching the end as we've reached Week 20 of the Canadian Football League season.

Heading into the penultimate week of the CFL season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape with several key games on the schedule, so let's find the winners.

Saskatchewan Roughriders – Winnipeg Blue Bombers – Friday, October 17, 8:00 pm ET.

The week begins with a classic matchup as the Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. This game has completely different meanings for these two teams, with Winnipeg fighting for their playoff lives and The Riders did everything they could this time of year..

Even though this game has more significance for one club, I believe the effort will be the same on both sides. The next big game for the Riders will be the Western Final on November 8th, and while I'm sure they'd like to be able to sit everyone down without developing or showing signs of rust, that's not how people work. Saskatchewan will rest some players this week, although I still expect to see quite a few regulars in this game.

The outcome of this game will really depend on which Winnipeg team performs. The Blue Bombers dominated Hamilton in Week 17 with a 40-3 win, followed by a disappointing performance against Edmonton.

The Blue and Gold have been a tough team all year due to injuries and instability. The ups and downs lead to this team being at the center of a lot of statistics as they have the fifth-best net offense and defense in the CFL, rank sixth in points and fourth in points allowed.

As always, the big matchup when these two teams play is in the run game. Brady Oliveira has averaged nearly 108 yards per game on the ground over the past four games, and he has averaged 53.5 yards in the two games against Saskatchewan. The Riders will be keeping several key players on the defensive line, including Micah Johnson, so Oliveira could have a chance to have a big day, although the Riders' depth has been strong all year.

The Green and White are resting enough key players that I believe Winnipeg will win this game, but Saskatchewan is deep enough and will retain enough starters that I believe they will keep this game a close, low-scoring game.

PICK: Saskatchewan +7, UNDER 48.5.

Edmonton Elks vs. BC Lions – Friday, Oct. 17, 10:30 p.m. ET.

The BC Lions host the Edmonton Elks in a huge game for both teams – BC plays in a home playoff game and Edmonton is trying to get into the playoffs.

Every year we hear about teams getting hot at the right time, and this year the Lions are that team. They have won four games in a row and come into this matchup having scored 38 or more points in three of those four games.

Nathan Rourke played a big role in that success, throwing for over 300 yards in three of the four games, throwing for seven touchdown passes in that time. So now seems like a good time to face the team that has allowed the most passing yards per game in the league this year: the Edmonton Elks.

Rourke has faced Edmonton twice this season and in each game he has thrown for more than 320 yards with five touchdowns and just one interception, both of which were wins for the Lions.

The Moose earned their biggest win of the season last week against Winnipeg, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Before that, it was three very close losses to Saskatchewan, Hamilton and Toronto, so they showed they can hang with high-level teams.

Overall, with the Lions playing at this level, I just can't imagine playing against them. Many readers have noted that I excluded British Columbia from many of my picks this year. The reason was simple: I could not understand them.

Nathan Rourke is one of the most talented players in the CFL, but I was bothered by some of the other details they had that made it difficult to read. Now, I think it's clear that this is just a really good football team.

PICK: Leos -5.5