CFL Picks/Week 16

The CFL season is beginning to wind down as teams get ready for the playoffs. Here's a look at this week's regular season finales.

OTTAWA AT MONTREAL

Friday football kicks off with a bang! The Ottawa Redblacks play their final game of 2021 against the Montreal Alouettes, who have a playoff ticket punched! With a win this week, it puts them in contention for a home playoff game! Montreal has incredible depth that has shown some unreal potential. 

It would be fair to assume Montreal won’t play their starters for long. Ottawa simply does not display any will to win, and it just is not a good look for the capital city. Montreal is listed as 14 point favourites, and it seems logical that they will cover and dominate it! The Als will win and keep the Montreal fans’ hopes for a home playoff game alive! Destroying the Redblacks and covering the 14-point line in the Birds Nest! 

EDMONTON AT BC

This game features no postseason contenders. The Elk and Lions both fell short of the playoffs, but they still have a game left to play! The Elk won their game on Tuesday, beating the Argonauts by 6 points! Will they be able to keep up that winning momentum heading to the West Coast on Friday? 

BC has such a star-studded offense, and it is truly unbelievable they won’t be playing next week. Nonetheless, the Lions haven’t won a game since September 18th! It’s been nearly two months since they’ve won a game! They have been shut out and outscored by their opponents. Who knows if this BC team will do any good. The Lions are listed as 4.5 point favourites for this late Friday evening matchup. BC just has too good a defense not pick up a victory at some point.  Both teams have nothing to lose, but the Lions are due  and ready to win this game! 

SASKATCHEWAN AT HAMILTON

This Saturday afternoon, throwdown is the other game with playoff implications. Depending on the result of the Montreal game, Hamilton are in the pilot seat with regards to whether or not they can host a home postseason game. The Roughriders and the Tigercats both have their spots locked in for the playoffs, so it is indeed fair to assume they will not play their starters. Seeing that Hamilton has more on the line, it could be possible they play their starters. 

Saskatchewan’s depth is also going to be playing hard, seeing as they want to get a chance to play in the divisional round. Hamilton will be more aggressive in this game, seeing that they want a home game at Tim Hortons Field. They are close in most statistical categories. However, assuming that Montreal wins their matchup, it will lead to a different Tiger Cats team heading onto that field Saturday afternoon. Hamilton will take this game and cover the 5.5 point spread as the Tiger cats will head home to Tim Hortons field for their playoff game.

WINNIPEG AT CALGARY

This is a potential semi-final game in the Western Conference. The Stampeders and the Blue Bombers will play the final game of the regular season. With both of these teams unable to move up or down in the playoff ranking, this game will not feature starters. 

Winnipeg will not play until December because of their first seeded bye. Calgary will play in Saskatchewan next week in the Western Semifinal. While Winnipeg has been playing with a very deep roster and is still the team to beat in Canadian football, the Stampeders will use thieir home advantage in this contest and close out the regular season with an upset victory!

Here are all of Dunkel's picks for Week 16 of the regular season:

NOVEMBER 16

Edmonton at Toronto
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 105.794; Toronto 113.200
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 7 ½; 50
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 3 ½; 45 ½
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-3 ½); Over

NOVEMBER 19

Ottawa at Montreal
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 99.150; Montreal 120.468
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 21 ½; 53
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal by 14; 48
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-14); Over

Edmonton at BC
Time: 10:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 107.053; BC 108.677
Dunkel Line & Total: BC by 1 ½; 44
Vegas Line & Total: Edmonton by 4 ½; 48
Dunkel Pick: BC (+4 ½); Under

NOVEMBER 20

Saskatchewan at Hamilton
Time: 4:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Saskatchewan 109.371; Hamilton 117.757
Dunkel Line & Total: Hamilton by 8 ½; 34
Vegas Line & Total: Hamilton by 5 ½; 42
Dunkel Pick: Hamilton (-5 ½); Under

Winnipeg at Calgary
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Winnipeg 118.604; Calgary 120.759
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 2; 36
Vegas Line & Total: Winnipeg by 4; 41
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (+4); Under

Keep up with your latest CFL news coverage and game previews at The Dunkel Index.