CFL Picks: Hamilton at Winnipeg

Following the cancelation of the 2020 season, the CFL returns for 2021 with a rematch of the 2019 Grey Cup on opening night.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers will face each other on Thursday at IG Field. When these two teams met in the finale two years ago, it was Winnipeg that came away with a 33-12 win despite being a 4-point underdog.

Blue Bombers Loaded Again

Despite a year off, Winnipeg returns many of the same faces from their championship team. Head coach Kyle Walters will look for the same spark from QB Zach Collaros, who won all four of his starts in 2019. The running game can also count on the return of the league’s leading rusher in Andrew Harris.

Tiger-Cats Make Some Additions

Hamilton is the preseason favorite to win it all this year thanks to some key additions on offense. Former Ohio State standout DeVier Posey will provide a solid target at wide receiver and former Green Bay Packer Don Jackson joins the team at running back following two seasons in Calgary. QB Jeremiah Masoli is slated to take the snaps under center after having his season cut short in 2019 win a torn ACL.

Dunkel’s Pick: Winnipeg (+3.5); Over

The Dunkel Index has Winnipeg coming into the contest with a rating of 125.018, while Hamilton has a rating of 118.803. That makes the Blue Bombers 6 points stronger on their home turf. Dunkel also forecasts the offenses having a productive night with a point total of 56.

The Vegas sportsbooks have Hamilton as a 3.5-point road favorite and a over/under total of 51.

The Blue Bombers look to be a solid moneyline play (+155) here according to Dunkel and getting the 3.5 points is an added bonus. Dunkel is also calling for the over on the point total.