3DownNation CFL picks straight-up & against the spread: East & West Semi-Finals

3DownNation

The CFL playoffs are finally here, and we have two compelling matchups with arguably the league’s hottest teams playing host. While the spectre of a potential Blue Jays game seven is hanging over the weekend, true Canadian sports fans know what they’ll be doing before the opening pitch.

Vancouver-based reporter J.C. Abbott remains in front for our straight-up picks, while Regina-based reporter Brendan McGuire has already clinched our against-the-spread title. Below are our picks for semi-final Saturday in the CFL.

Saturday, November 1: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Montreal Alouettes (-6) at 2:00 p.m. EDT

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will visit the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday afternoon for the East Semi-Final, where they’ll look to take the first step in becoming the first crossover team in CFL history to make it to the Grey Cup. The Alouettes are six-point home favourites in this one despite losing both regular-season meetings with the Blue Bombers, though franchise quarterback Davis Alexander didn’t see the field in either game for the Alouettes. Alexander went 7-0 as a starter this season in Montreal, though the team is dealing with some key recent injuries, as Mustafa Johnson is questionable for this matchup. Winnipeg, meanwhile, hasn’t had Nic Demski practicing due to an ankle he suffered against Edmonton in Week 19 and has listed him as doubtful to play.

ABBOTT: The Blue Bombers have a path to victory in this game if they can grind it out with Brady Oliveira, but that puts all the pressure on Jordan Younger’s defence to be perfect. If Davis Alexander can hit at least one of those big plays he’s known for, I just don’t think Winnipeg has a good enough quarterback to recover – something you wouldn’t have caught me saying a few years ago.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

BALLANTINE: Winnipeg has looked old and slow all season long, and this might be the first year since 2019 that we don’t see the Bombers make it to the Grey Cup game. Conversely, I’ve seen many QBs get off to hot starts, only to see a hiccup at the least opportune time. Is Davis Alexander due for an off-game? My gut says not yet.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

FILOSO: Do I want to pick against a Bomber team that will be stupidly motivated to make a Grey Cup push? No. Will I do it though? Yes. Although I’m leery of Alexander meeting the moment in his playoff debut, I just think the Alouettes have the better roster.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

GASSON: Montreal with Davis Alexander is a Grey Cup contender. Winnipeg’s offence is bad enough to take down a great defence and good special teams.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

HERRERA-VERGARA: Montreal is healthier, and the Bombers have never faced Davis Alexander. Winnipeg will keep it close with the run game and Brady Oliviera, but in the end, I feel the Als will be too much to handle.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

HODGE: Montreal’s injuries from last week are a little concerning, but the team is undefeated with Davis Alexander at the helm, which is tough to ignore. The bad weather should help the Blue Bombers, and they should keep this game close if they protect the football, but they feel a little overmatched going head-to-head with the Alouettes.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

HOSKINS: Montreal got healed up and then took a few hits last week. I don’t see that stopping them from making their way to the East Final. Winnipeg will put up a fight to keep their streak alive, but fall short.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

KLEIN: Montreal got beat up a bit last week, but for the most part, they got healthier and more consistent as the year went on. I don’t think you can say the same for Winnipeg. The Bombers struggle to protect Zach Collaros, and he struggles to protect the football. Both of those are areas where Montreal thrives, making this a bad matchup for the Grey Cup hosts.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

McGUIRE: Zach Collaros hasn’t lost a non-Grey Cup playoff game since 2016. Winnipeg still has the fourth-best rusher in the CFL and a pretty good defence to boot. But Montreal has a quarterback, Davis Alexander, who hasn’t lost yet after 11 starts and a rambunctious Percival Molson Stadium crowd in their back pocket. How on earth could I go against that? I won’t.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

THOMAS: Winnipeg just hasn’t felt like the Winnipeg of old. Montreal is healthy and has been playing playoff football for the last month.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Montreal 10, Winnipeg 0.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Montreal 5, Winnipeg 5.

Saturday, November 1: Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Lions (-5) at 5:30 p.m. EDT

The Calgary Stampeders are set to visit the B.C. Lions in the West Semi-Final late Saturday afternoon, where the home side is favoured by five points. The Lions won both regular-season meetings between these two teams in one-sided fashion as Nathan Rourke outdueled former teammate Vernon Adams Jr., who will return to Vancouver in this one donning red and white. Dedrick Mills won the CFL’s rushing title for Calgary, but the Stampeders have some health concerns along the offensive line with Joshua Coker ruled out and Preston Nichols listed as questionable. Meanwhile, B.C. has listed right tackle Dejon Allen, Canadian receiver Justin McInnis, and running back James Butler as questionable after a week of spotty participation in practice.

ABBOTT: B.C. fans know all too well just how explosive Big Play VA can be when he’s on his game, but the Lions defence hasn’t allowed that to be a problem in two matchups this season. The Stamps could also be in dire straits at right tackle, with Mathieu Betts licking his chops across the neutral zone. Nathan Rourke will have far fewer concerns with a Calgary D he’s twice taken to the woodshed.