My CFL Week 12 expert picks feature bets for all four games. Of my picks, I back the newly rejuvenated Bombers defense to hit the UNDER in the Winnipeg vs Hamilton matchup. Then, I lose all faith in the Lions as a rusty Nathan Rourke visits the Redblacks (+1.0).
In Week 12, I look to improve from last week's picks which went a middling 2-2, bringing my 2024 CFL expert picks to 20-21-1 on the season (-2.85 Units).
saskatchewan roughriders vs toronto argonauts Pick: Roughriders +2.0 (-110)
Roughriders vs Argonauts Odds Week 12
Sure, Saskatchewan (5-4-1 SU, 6-4 ATS) coughed up a fourth-quarter lead to Montreal last week. But, with Trevor Harris and AJ Ouellette back, a lot is in the Roughriders' favor.
In his return, Harris went a commanding 31-for-39 for 355 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Ouellette rushed a noble 77 yards across 18 carries. In the end, it was a missed field goal touchdown return that dulled Saskatchewan's momentum in Week 11.
Trevor Harris made quite the impression in his return last night👏#CFL | @sskroughriders pic.twitter.com/41PE2xUXMd
— CFL (@CFL) August 17, 2024
Toronto (5-4 SU, 4-5 ATS) returns from a jam-packed bye week where former starting quarterback, Chad Kelly, was officially reinstated from his nine-game suspension and back with the team practicing. Even though the Argos are 4-1 SU at BMO Field this year, there are too many questions at quarterback.
If Kelly plays, he'll be rusty and feeling the pressure. If he doesn't, there's the inconsistent tandem of Nick Arbuckle and Cameron Dukes. Saskatchewan is the far better team here.
hamilton tiger-cats vs winnipeg blue bombers Pick: uNDER 49 (-110)
Ticats vs Blue Bombers Odds Week 12
The Bombers (4-6 SU, 3-7 ATS) have turned up the heat, picking up back-to-back wins over the Lions -- including shutting down the Nathan Rourke welcome home party last week.
Carried by their league-leading defense (19.7 PPG), Winnipeg's last four outings have hit the UNDER. And I don't mean by a smidge. Mike O'Shea and his bench have coughed up just 11 points over their last two meetings.
Obviously, I have nothing positive to say about Hamilton (2-8 SU, 2-8 ATS), which has lost and failed to cover the spread in three straight matchups. That Bombers defense is going to pick apart to Ticats.
BC Lions vs ottawa redblacks Pick: redblacks +1.0 (-110)
Lions vs Redblacks Odds Week 12
Well, that Nathan Rourke homecoming was disappointing. The 26-year-old completed just 8-of-23 passes for a dull 126 yards while being picked off twice. Yeah, it was ugly.
With the Redblacks (6-2-1 SU, 6-3 ATS) giving up the third-fewest 79.1 rushing yards per game, the Lions (5-5 SU, 4-6 ATS) won't be able to rely on William Stanback, who rushed 100 yards last week, this time around.
Carrying a 4-0-1 SU record at TD Place and winning four of its last five meetings, Ottawa has hit a promising stride. It's rare I go against the offensively gifted Lions, but it seems there are too many moving parts for them right now.
edmonton elks vs montreal alouettes Pick: Elks +7.0
Elks vs Alouettes Odds Week 12
Well, after last week's dub, Montreal (9-1 SU, 7-3 ATS) is officially the best team in the CFL. Back-up Davis Alexander continues his undefeated streak, going 4-0 SU defeating Saskatchewan and Hamilton twice.
But, then there's the Elks (3-7 SU, 6-4 ATS), who have put three-straight wins under their belt where they've earned 122 total points. Sure, the Als have the second-best scoring defense allowing 21.5 PPG but that didn't phase Edmonton in Week 2. Even in the beginning of their 0-7 start to the season, the Elks kept within a field goal in their first 23-20 loss to the Alouettes.
With six of Edmonton's seven losses being within a touchdown, I have no doubt we'll see another tight matchup here.
