Montreal Alouettes Avon Cobourne runs through Winnipeg Blue Bombers players during the first half of CFL football play in Montreal, October 17, 2010.SHAUN BEST
Montreal Alouettes (11-4) at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-7) Friday, 7 p.m.
As has become the norm, the last few games of the regular season are of no earthly importance for the Alouettes. They want to sharpen their game, especially coming off last week's so-so win against Winnipeg, but beating Hamilton does nothing for the already-crowned East Division champs. One Montreal player looking to rebound, though, is kicker Colt David, who missed three of five field goals last week. The Alouettes would like to see the injured Damon Duval get in some kicks before the playoffs begin, but will have to wait. As for the Ticats, they did a thorough job of disembowelling the Toronto Argonauts last Friday. Defensive end Stevie Baggs had a monster game, recording seven tackles and two sacks. He'll be the man to watch when Montreal has the football. When Hamilton has the ball, quarterback Kevin Glenn has shown he can mix the run and pass expertly between DeAndra' Cobb and Arland Bruce. Cobb and Bruce will draw plenty of attention from the Alouettes defence. The question is: Will the Alouettes have their hearts in this one? We're thinking yes.
The pick: Montreal
B.C. Lions (5-10) at Calgary Stampeders (11-4) Friday, 10 p.m.
Okay, will the Lions pencil in the correct lineup this week? Will they have the right kicker on the field or in the dressing room? Has former B.C. quarterback Casey Printers cast a curse on the team that dumped him like spoiled tomatoes? With the Lions this season there are no easy answers, only riddles wrapped in a mystery shrouded in miscues. One certainty is that the defence will be without cornerback Davis Sanchez and backup J.R. LaRose, both of whom were lost to injuries last week and are gone for the season. The Lions desperately need a win to stay in the playoff picture, but they're up against a Calgary side that can clinch first place and a bye to the West final with a victory at home. Running back Joffrey Reynolds got untracked last week and ripped off 124 yards against Saskatchewan. The more he runs, the better things get for quarterback Henry Burris and his aerial mates, which could include three 1,000-yard receivers by regular season's end. That's too much firepower for a team as down and disrupted as the Lions.
The pick: Calgary
Toronto Argonauts (7-8) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-11) Saturday, 4 p.m.
The Blue Bombers are masters of the oh-so-close finish. Seven times this season they've lost by four points or fewer, tying them for a league record with the 1996 B.C. Lions and 1993 Ottawa Rough Riders. In all honesty, the Bombers are not that bad a team. Their offence, with stable quarterbacking, has plenty of pop, especially at receiver, where Terrence Edwards, Terence Jeffers-Harris and 6-foot-6 skyscraper Greg Carr have become a formidable trio. Defensively, though, Winnipeg needs help. It has the pass rush (43 sacks, tied for first) but a league low in interceptions (13). That said, there's a good chance the Bombers will add to that count facing Argonauts quarterback Cleo Lemon. So far, Lemon has turned the ball over 29 times (17 by interception, 12 by fumble) and that makes him an adventure every time he drops back to pass. Running back Cory Boyd was pounded last week by Hamilton before leaving the game with a sore ankle. This has the feel of an upset in the making.
The pick: Winnipeg
Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-6) at Edmonton Eskimos (5-10) Saturday, 7 p.m.
The Riders are without receiver Rob Bagg and kicker Luca Congi due to knee injuries. Punter Eddie Johnson filled in for Congi during last week's loss to Calgary and will carry on this week with return man Ryan Grice-Mullen playing receiver. Quarterback Darian Durant needs a bounce-back showing to inspire his teammates. It would help the Green Team enormously if its defence could stop the run. Over the last four games, the Riders have allowed an average of 189 yards rushing, not a stat that will take a team deep into the playoffs. The Eskimos could have receiver Kelly Campbell on the field after he was flattened last week against B.C. Import Efrem Hill was brought back this week in case Campbell isn't ready. Either way, the offence has the player of the week in Daniel Porter, the slick import running back who gained a league-high 171 yards against the Lions. Porter's rushes opened up a wealth of options for quarterback Ricky Ray, who passed and dashed with authority.
The pick: Saskatchewan
Last week: 3-1 Season: 30-30
All times Eastern