{"id":219101,"date":"2025-10-17T06:10:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T06:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/219101\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T06:10:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T06:10:09","slug":"3downnation-cfl-picks-straight-up-against-the-spread-week-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/219101\/","title":{"rendered":"3DownNation CFL picks straight-up & against the spread: Week 20"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Photo: 3DownNation<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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

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<\/a>, 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<\/a>. Meanwhile, the Bombers still need a win and some help to secure a playoff spot<\/a>, but won\u2019t have veteran Canadian receiver Nic Demski<\/a> to help them do it, but will regain American Keric Wheatfall and cornerback Demerio Houston<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ABBOTT: This game will end up closer than it should, but not close enough to cover.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

FILOSO: The Bombers HAVE TO have this one.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

GASSON: Winnipeg simply has to win this one. Do I trust their offence enough to cover? I don\u2019t know.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n

HERRERA-VERGARA: Winnipeg has its back against the wall, while the Riders will have their backups<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

HODGE: If the Blue Bombers can\u2019t beat Saskatchewan\u2019s backups, they should just pack it in right now.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

HOSKINS: Bombers get the second-tier Riders with key guys resting for the playoffs. It should be straightforward.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

KLEIN: I know the Riders have the backups in, but I don\u2019t think Corey Mace will let his team get blown out regardless of who is playing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n

THOMAS: Saskatchewan\u2019s second-best beat Winnipeg\u2019s best.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP:\u00a0Winnipeg 9, Saskatchewan 1.<\/p>\n

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD:\u00a0Winnipeg 6, Saskatchewan 4.<\/p>\n

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

The B.C. Lions are six-point home favourites over the Edmonton Elks on Friday night, where they\u2019ll 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<\/a> following a length injury, while Jarell Broxton will be back at left tackle. Edmonton, meanwhile, is fielding essentially the same lineup<\/a> it did in last week\u2019s win, and needs another victory to keep their faint playoff hopes alive<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ABBOTT: Rourke has brutalized the Elks in his career. It feels appropriate that he will be the one to put them down.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.<\/p>\n

BALLANTINE: The CFL Chaos Machine (patent pending) requires the Elks to win this game to stay alive \u2014 personal pick\u2019em records be damned.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.<\/p>\n

FILOSO: I\u2019d love to see the Elks win just for the chaos potential, but I think B.C. is simply the better team.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Edmonton.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.<\/p>\n

HODGE: The Elks are the best story in the CFL right now, but the Lions are the best team in the CFL right now.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.<\/p>\n

HOSKINS: Edmonton still has a chance, but B.C. is firing on all cylinders. Elks keep it close.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Edmonton.<\/p>\n

KLEIN: Nathan Rourke has found another gear, and now he\u2019s facing an Edmonton pass defence that he has torched twice.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.<\/p>\n

McGUIRE: Should be a great game, but home sweet dome will be too much for the Elks to overcome.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Edmonton.<\/p>\n

THOMAS: Do you believe in miracles?<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.<\/p>\n

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP:\u00a0B.C. 8, Edmonton 2.<\/p>\n

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD:\u00a0B.C. 5, Edmonton 5.<\/p>\n

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

The Ottawa Redblacks are nine-point home underdogs to the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday afternoon, where they\u2019ve 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<\/a>,\u00a0 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<\/a>. The Alouettes will also have the benefit of a pissed off Davis Alexander<\/a>, who called last week\u2019s performance \u201cprobably the worst game\u201d of his career.<\/p>\n

ABBOTT: Montreal will fall asleep just enough to let Ottawa cover the second time around.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Ottawa.<\/p>\n

BALLANTINE: Ho hum, what else is on?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.<\/p>\n

FILOSO: I\u2019d like to believe the Redblacks have an upset in them, but they\u2019ve given me nothing to put my faith in.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Ottawa.<\/p>\n

GASSON: See last week\u2019s comment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.<\/p>\n

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Als are already playing playoff football. The Redblacks just aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.<\/p>\n

HODGE: The Redblacks have fallen, and they can\u2019t get up.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.<\/p>\n

HOSKINS: This is an Ottawa development game. Montreal repeats their W from last week.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.<\/p>\n

KLEIN: The Alouettes are better at football than the Redblacks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.<\/p>\n

McGUIRE: Tyrie Adams looked like an exciting player when he got in two years ago, and I\u2019m betting he\u2019s got some magic up his sleeve this weekend.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.<\/p>\n

THOMAS: Playing the same team twice is hard. It\u2019s harder when you can take the opponent for granted.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.<\/p>\n

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP:\u00a0Montreal 8, Ottawa 2.<\/p>\n

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD:\u00a0Montreal 6, Ottawa 4.<\/p>\n

Saturday, October 18: Toronto Argonauts at Calgary Stampeders (-9) at 7:00 p.m. EDT<\/p>\n

The Calgary Stampeders are nine-point home favourites over the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday night as they look to keep their hopes of hosting a playoff game alive. The Stampeders snapped a four-game losing skid with a win over Hamilton last week, though it appears right tackle Josh Coker and safety Damon Webb will both miss this one. The Argonauts, meanwhile, will wrap up their season ahead of a Week 21 bye after being eliminated from playoff contention a couple of weeks ago.<\/p>\n

ABBOTT: R.I.P. Jarret Doege. We hardly knew ye.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.<\/p>\n

BALLANTINE: I tried to keep up the bit, I really did.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.<\/p>\n

FILOSO: The Stamps HAVE TO have this one<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.<\/p>\n

GASSON: Who are the Stamps? Not sure, but it should be enough to win. Toronto will keep it close, as they do.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Toronto.<\/p>\n

HERRERA-VERGARA: Calgary has too much riding on this, but Toronto fights.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Toronto.<\/p>\n

HODGE: The Argonauts keep it close in their last game of the season.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Toronto.<\/p>\n

HOSKINS: Can Toronto do the one job I\u2019ve asked Hamilton to do the last two weeks? Nope.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Toronto.<\/p>\n

KLEIN: The Stamps are desperate. The Argos are just seeing what they have for next year. Calgary puts together another blowout.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.<\/p>\n

McGUIRE: The Boatmen looked okay in Regina and seem to embrace this spoiler role. I just don\u2019t trust the Stamps anymore.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.<\/p>\n

THOMAS: Ryan Dinwiddie helps facilitate playoff mayhem.<\/p>\n

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.<\/p>\n

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP:\u00a0Calgary 8, Toronto 2.<\/p>\n

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD:\u00a0Toronto 6, Calgary 4.<\/p>\n

2025 records (straight-up)<\/p>\n

ABBOTT \u2014 48-25
McGUIRE \u2014 46-27
HOSKINS \u2014 46-27
THOMAS \u2014 46-27
HODGE \u2014 44-29
BALLANTINE \u2014 44-29
HERRERA-VERGARA \u2014 44-29
KLEIN \u2014 42-31
GASSON \u2014 38-35
FILOSO \u2014 37-36<\/p>\n

2025 records (against the spread)<\/p>\n

McGUIRE \u2014 49-24
THOMAS \u2014 41-32
ABBOTT \u2014 40-33
HERRERA-VERGARA \u2014 39-34
FILOSO \u2014 38-35
BALLANTINE \u2014 36-37
HODGE \u2014 34-39
HOSKINS \u2014 34-39
KLEIN \u2014 34-39
GASSON \u2014 33-40<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Photo: 3DownNation We have reached the penultimate week of the CFL season, and for all that has been…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":219102,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[437],"tags":[49,48,521,522,520,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-219101","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cfl","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-canadian-football-league","11":"tag-canadianfootballleague","12":"tag-cfl","13":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219101","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=219101"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219101\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/219102"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=219101"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=219101"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=219101"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}