The world's best football league is back, baby! The CFL kicks off this week with the 111th Grey Cup at stake. Last season, I wrapped up my seasonal weekly picks being up nearly 12 units! Let's top that this year, folks!
All season we've stayed together by deep-diving into each game to back up our expert picks. Well, here is our last one. It's been a fun ride, folks.
Current Record: TBD
CFL's Week 1 schedule dives right into the excitement. The season opener is a rematch from last year's Grey Cup with the Montreal Alouettes visiting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who are 6-point betting favorites. Jump to the game you're interested in or browse through all my picks:
CFL Week 1 schedule & odds
winnipeg blue bombers vs montreal alouettes: Alouettes +6.0 (-110)
Montreal stunned everyone after upsetting the Bombers, 28-24, in the Grey Cup Final last year. This offseason, Winnipeg and Montreal made the opposite moves.
The Al's defense, which allowed the fourth-fewest 356.7 YGP in 2023, stays intact and actually added a few to buff up that defensive line. However, QB Cody Fajardo lost his go-to guys with WR Austin Mack getting a chance in the NFL and RB William Stanback joining the Lion's pride.
Meanwhile, Winnipeg's defense took some hits with Jackson Jeffcoat and Ricky Walker leaving the team. But, QB Zach Collaros can still lean on WR Dalton Schoen and RB Brady Oliveira.
With all that being said, I think Montreal's defense will be one of the best in the league. And if there's anything I learned from last year, never count out the Als.
hamilton ticats vs calgary stampeders: ticats +1.0 (-110)
Coming off their first losing season (6-12) since 2004, the Stampeders are definitely not a threat. When it comes to signal-caller Jake Maier, I'm never impressed. The 27-year-old nearly threw as many touchdowns (19) as interceptions (15) last season.
Saying that, Hamilton's Bo Levi Mitchell, pick-up was a disappointment last year, too. Though, at least his excuse is being sidelined for over half the season with injuries.
With the 34-year-old making his first return to McMahon Stadium this week, where he spent 10 seasons with the Stamps, I expect a little extra fire coming from him.
edmonton elks vs saskatchewan Roughriders: OVER 46 (-110)
I am all over Edmonton this year. Do I have them as my value pick to win the Grey Cup? Maybe. Yes, I am aware that's far-fetched but I really expect this group to pocket more than four wins like 2023.
First of all, Canadian quarterback Tre Ford doesn't get enough credit. The Elks were constantly hesitant to put him behind the line of scrimmage. I have no idea why, his pocket navigation is astonishing, finishing with 622 rushing yards (ranked 11th).
But after all that, Edmonton's management still says he's "not ready to be a leader" for some reason. So, in comes McLeod Bethel-Thompson, fresh off his historic USFL stint pocketing 2,433 passing yards.
In their last meeting at Mosaic Stadium, the Elks picked up one of their four wins over the Roughriders, 36-27. Notably, the OVER is a whopping 9-1 in the last 10 meetings when Saskatchewan hosts.
bC lions vs toronto argonauts: Lions -6.0 (-110)
Toronto starts the year with a fresh new face in QB Cameron Dukes, whose recent preseason start completed a noble 10-for-12 passes for a respectable 129 yards and rushing in a single touchdown. Signing ex-Redblack Nick Arbuckle for the season definitely shows the Argos are lacking in the quarterback department since Chad Kelly's suspension.
Toronto's new threat is pick-up Ka'Deem Carey, whose name fits him perfectly as one of the league's top running backs.
After being picked off in the Western Finals in back-to-back years, the Lions are experienced and hungry. Vernon Adams Jr., who led the CFL with 4,769 passing yards, stays with his pack. Missing star-studded receiver Dominique Rhymes will be noticeable on the field. But, I still trust the Lions' cohesion for Week 1 over Toronto's brand-new bunch.
How To Bet On CFL Betting Odds:
While you can bet on spreads and point totals, one of the easiest ways to bet on CFL betting odds is through a moneyline. This moneyline bet means you simply pick which side you think will win between the favorite (signaled with a minus sign) and the underdog (signaled with a plus sign).
A CFL moneyline of +200 means that you would win $200 on a successful $100 wager. That’s also equivalent to fractional odds of 2/1, decimal odds of 3.00 and implied odds of 33.33%. A negative moneyline of -200 means that you would have to wager $200 in order to win $100 on the favorite.