Week 17 Preview
Another huge week for playoff standings as Winnipeg can take the tiebreaker from Edmonton and clinch while Montreal can show who is the king of the East in Chad Kelly’s house.
September 30th is National Truth and Reconciliation day, so to honour all of the Indigenous people, the 9 teams will wear Indigenous-themed logos.
Matchup 1: Edmonton Elks (5-9) @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-6)
The 0-4 start for Winnipeg seems as far from this season as possible as they extended their win streak to 6 games last week in Edmonton. Now, they take the same matchup home with them to Winnipeg. Edmonton is making another switch at QB, going back to McLeod Bethel-Thompson who played the second half last week. Brady Oliveria leads the league in rushing yards and is the only player with 1000 rushing yards. I know Tre Ford wasn’t great last week, but I still think he’s the better option over McLeod. Because of this, and the fact the Winnipeg is on a 12-game winning streak against the Elks, I think Winipeg will take hmoe this win.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (5-9) @ BC Lions (7-7)
Hamilton has been hot lately after sweeping the season series against Toronto last week, and Bo Levi Mitchell showing MOP form. BC on the other hand has been very cold lately, losing their last game against the Argos a week after beating Montreal. Nathan Rourke will be starting this week, which is a good and bad idea. Rourke has been very inconsistent throughout the season, while Vernon Adams Jr. had been the best player in the league while starting. Both teams need this win to keep their season afloat, but BC is the better team, so that’s my pick.
Ottawa Redblacks (8-5-1) @ Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-7-1)
Ottawa and Saskatchewan tied each other in week 10 after a very questionable roughing the passing on 4th down on a chop black where the Riders defenders rolled into Dru Brown’s leg. But, that won’t happen this week because Jeremiah Masoli is starting for the Redblacks. Saskatchewan won against Calgary last week behind a huge rushing performance, but against the tough Ottawa defence, that may be a problem. Because of that, I have to choose Ottawa to win this.
Montreal Alouettes (11-2-1) @ Toronto Argonauts (7-7)
The Montreal Alouettes have clinched a playoff spot, and a home playoff date after last weeks win over Ottawa. Toronto lost to Hamilto last week, but Bo Levi Mitchell had his best game of the season. Chad Kelly hasn’t played his best yet this season, but we all know that he can be the best player in the league, and win almost every game that he plays in. Cody Fajardo has been on of the best in the league all season, and the Als have been at the top of the power rankings all season except the last two weeks where Winnipeg has surpassed them. Winnipeg and Montreal have the 2 best chances to win the Grey Cup. If the Argos win this, they are almost guaranteed a playoff spot, but not entirely. Even if Montreal rests Fajardo this week, the Als should win, because they have one of the best backups in the league.