3DownNation CFL picks straight-up & against the spread: Week 20

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We have reached the penultimate week of the CFL season, and for all that has been decided, much remains undetermined. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders could both claim playoff spots this week, while the Montreal Alouettes look to stay in the hunt for first in the East, and the Edmonton Elks look to stay alive, period.

Vancouver-based reporter J.C. Abbott remains in front for our straight-up picks, while Regina-based reporter Brendan McGuire has a strong lead in our picks against the spread. Below are our picks for Week 20 in the CFL.

Friday, October 17: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-7) at 8:00 p.m. EDT

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are touchdown favourites over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night because the Green and White are sending their B-team to Princess Auto Stadium. A.J. Ouellette, KeeSean Johnson, Samuel Emilus, Jermarcus Hardrick, Micah Johnson, and Marcus Sayles are among those who will not dress with first place already secured, while Trevor Harris, Kian Schaffer-Baker, and Logan Ferland have been listed as backups. That leaves Jake Maier to make his second start of the season at quarterback. Meanwhile, the Bombers still need a win and some help to secure a playoff spot, but won’t have veteran Canadian receiver Nic Demski to help them do it, but will regain American Keric Wheatfall and cornerback Demerio Houston.

ABBOTT: This game will end up closer than it should, but not close enough to cover.

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

BALLANTINE: The Bombers need to win one and lose one to have the ultimate chaos of four 9-9 teams in the West. This is the one they win.

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

FILOSO: The Bombers HAVE TO have this one.

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

GASSON: Winnipeg simply has to win this one. Do I trust their offence enough to cover? I don’t know.

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

HERRERA-VERGARA: Winnipeg has its back against the wall, while the Riders will have their backups

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

HODGE: If the Blue Bombers can’t beat Saskatchewan’s backups, they should just pack it in right now.

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

HOSKINS: Bombers get the second-tier Riders with key guys resting for the playoffs. It should be straightforward.

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

KLEIN: I know the Riders have the backups in, but I don’t think Corey Mace will let his team get blown out regardless of who is playing.

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

McGUIRE: The Riders will be calm and relaxed, playing with house money. The Bombers will be uptight. But I still like Winnipeg at home on a night Saskatchewan will be more worried about the Blue Jays than the Roughriders.

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

THOMAS: Saskatchewan’s second-best beat Winnipeg’s best.

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

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Winnipeg 9, Saskatchewan 1.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Winnipeg 6, Saskatchewan 4.

Friday, October 17: Edmonton Elks at B.C. Lions (-6) at 10:30 p.m. EDT

The B.C. Lions are six-point home favourites over the Edmonton Elks on Friday night, where they’ll look to keep their foot on the gas in an attempt to clinch second place in the West Division. Former Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Dejon Allen will return for the Lions at right tackle following a length injury, while Jarell Broxton will be back at left tackle. Edmonton, meanwhile, is fielding essentially the same lineup it did in last week’s win, and needs another victory to keep their faint playoff hopes alive.

ABBOTT: Rourke has brutalized the Elks in his career. It feels appropriate that he will be the one to put them down.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

BALLANTINE: The CFL Chaos Machine (patent pending) requires the Elks to win this game to stay alive — personal pick’em records be damned.

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

FILOSO: I’d love to see the Elks win just for the chaos potential, but I think B.C. is simply the better team.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Edmonton.

GASSON: If this game were in Edmonton, it could get interesting. In the cozy confines of BC Place, I expect the Lions to be fine.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Lions will play at home, they want a home playoff game and need this one to get it.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

HODGE: The Elks are the best story in the CFL right now, but the Lions are the best team in the CFL right now.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

HOSKINS: Edmonton still has a chance, but B.C. is firing on all cylinders. Elks keep it close.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Edmonton.

KLEIN: Nathan Rourke has found another gear, and now he’s facing an Edmonton pass defence that he has torched twice.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

McGUIRE: Should be a great game, but home sweet dome will be too much for the Elks to overcome.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Edmonton.

THOMAS: Do you believe in miracles?

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

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: B.C. 8, Edmonton 2.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: B.C. 5, Edmonton 5.

Saturday, October 18: Montreal Alouettes at Ottawa Redblacks (+9) at 3:00 p.m. EDT

The Ottawa Redblacks are nine-point home underdogs to the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday afternoon, where they’ve got nothing to play for after being eliminated from postseason contention a couple of weeks ago. Tyrie Adams will make his first start at quarterback since 2023, with Dustin Crum battling a head injury. Montreal, meanwhile, is essentially healthy and can still finish first in the East Division after crushing Ottawa 30-10 on Thanksgiving. The Alouettes will also have the benefit of a pissed off Davis Alexander, who called last week’s performance “probably the worst game” of his career.

ABBOTT: Montreal will fall asleep just enough to let Ottawa cover the second time around.

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

BALLANTINE: Ho hum, what else is on?