Advertisement

Weekly Predictor: Is the third time the charm for the Riders?

CFL

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping the third time’s the charm against the Calgary Stampeders, but it won’t be easy at McMahon Stadium.

Elsewhere, the Argos are fighting for the East while the Lions will scratch and claw for their playoff lives.

CFL Pick ‘Em is back in 2017 with more than $130,000 in combined cash and prizes are up for grabs*. Pick 30 in a row, win $30,000; pick 40, win $40,000; think you can pick 50 straight? You’re looking at $50,000. *View rules regarding streaks and prizing.

Without further delay, Nye makes his Week 18 picks.

RELATED
» CFL PICK ‘EM: MAKE YOUR PICKS TODAY
» BE THE GM IN CFL FANTASY
» FANTASY NEWS: WEEK 18 TIPS AND STRATEGIES

Saskatchewan at Calgary
Friday | 9:00 p.m. ET

The return of Kamar Jorden has given the Stamps’ offence another weapon to work with (The Canadian Press)

The Calgary Stampeders are trying to clinch first place in the West Division and the sooner they can do that the better. They’re also trying to recover from getting pushed to the edge by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The 25 points given up by Calgary’s defence were the most they’ve given up since their only loss of the season in Week 4.

Saskatchewan comes into the game dealing with a little bit of drama surrounding Duron Carter and a fight at practice. The Riders are focused on trying to erase the disappointing loss last week, giving up a 12-point lead to Ottawa.

The Riders played the Stampeders tough a few weeks ago and could make a statement going into the playoffs.

But I just think the Stamps defence is too strong and Calgary doesn’t lose at home.

PICK: CALGARY (50% confident)

Winnipeg at Toronto
Saturday | 4:00 p.m. ET

Matt Nichols and the Bombers will have to get by without top target Darvin Adams (Jason Halstead/CFL.ca)

Matt Nichols proved his hand is just fine but we’ll see how the team does without number one target Darvin Adams for the season. On the defence, they’ve lost leader Maurice Leggett as well for the season.

Those are two big losses for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as they head down the stretch.

Toronto nearly beat Edmonton and has a lot to play for, with a point back of Ottawa for first place in the East. James Wilder Jr. is likely back for the Argonauts and I expect the Argos to have some success with Leggett out of the Bombers defence.

PICK: TORONTO (25% confident)

Edmonton at BC
Saturday | 10:00 p.m. ET

Expect league-leading receiver Brandon Zylstra to continue making an impact for the Esks (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

Straight pick ’em game here folks.

If the Riders win on Friday, the Lions will know their season is done and are playing for jobs for the next year, though reality says that’s pretty well all they’re playing for now.

If the Riders lose, the Lions still have a long shot at making the playoffs.

BC plays much better offensively at home.

Edmonton is on a two-game winning streak, although they’ve been in tight games both times. As long as they keep feeding the ball to Brandon Zylstra, it appears like a decent strategy to keep the win streak going. CJ Gable looks good in that offence as well.

PICK: EDMONTON (10% confident)

Hamilton at Montreal
Sunday | 1:00 p.m. ET

Jeremiah Masoli hands the ball off to running back Alex Green during a game in 2017 (The Canadian Press)

Both teams are out of the playoffs and this is the first of two games they play against each other in the final three weeks.

I like the Tiger-Cats’ attitude down the stretch as nobody can accuse them of quitting, while in Montreal their own players have questioned that within the room.

PICK: HAMILTON (50% confident)

DRAFTKINGS: NYE PICKS HIS ROSTER

With the CFL continuing its partnership with DraftKings for a second season, fans can experience the excitement of daily fantasy and test their skills without making a season-long commitment.

Each week throughout the 2017 season, fans will have the opportunity to set their ultimate CFL fantasy team. DraftKings offers free-to-play contests, the ability to play privately with friends or with other fans globally to win prizes, tickets and exclusive VIP CFL experiences.

Nye makes his picks below:

DraftKings Week 18 lineup

Mike Reilly put up 40 points the last time the Eskimos took on the BC Lions and now he has Derel Walker in the lineup, which he didn’t have back then.

I’m combining those two players, as tough as it is not to play Brandon Zylstra, but you’d have to think some extra attention may go Zylstra’s way as he’s become one of the top receivers in the league. There should be lots of points to go around in the receiving corps in Edmonton.

Alex Green running the ball has been impressive in Hamilton since he took the job from CJ Gable. I think the Tiger-Cats may have a lot of time to run the ball in Montreal on Sunday and Green will benefit. It should go without saying why I’m taking the Tiger-Cats defence against a Montreal offence that has had a lot of problems this season.

Armanti Edwards could be the big matchup benefactor of Maurice Leggett going down with injury for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, so I’m rolling with him for a good price this week.

Jerome Messam couldn’t be stopped the last time he played the Riders. In fact, his only two 100-yard rushing games this season have come against the Roughriders. I’m guessing the Stamps will be going with the same game plan to combat Chris Jones’ three down linemen on the defensive side of the ball.

Finally, UNLEASH CHAD OWENS!!!!!!! He gets the chance to play for the Riders for the first time this season and I’d guess you wouldn’t find a more enthusiastic player after waiting 18 weeks to get into the lineup. I wished his price was a little lower, but I’m rolling the dice.

Related Articles