Lions Look For Sweep
The Edmonton Eskimos will get another chance to knock off one of the mainstays of the Western Division Saturday night when they head to Vancouver to take on the BC Lions.
These teams played last week during a monsoon, with the Lions coming out on top in a snoozer of a game. That said, BC really did look like the better team in all aspects of the game – oddsmakers are in tune to this as well, instilling the Lions as 8 1/2 point favorites on Saturday night.
Edmonton Eskimos (1-2) vs. BC Lions (2-1)
Date/Time: Saturday, July 20, 2013 10:00 PM ET
Venue: BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, BC
Broadcast: TSN
Eskimos vs. Lions Betting Lines from Bodog.ca
Edmonton Eskimos +8½ -110 Ov 49½ -110
B.C. Lions -8½ -110 Un 49½ -110
It is tough to say whether or not we should give the Edmonton Eskimos a mulligan for last week’s game – the conditions were that bad. But the numbers simply don`t lie. Only three points, under 100 yards passing and under 145 yards in net offense with one interception and three sacks against. To boot, the Eskimos were flagged 11 times for 103 yards – that`s more yardage given up that they themselves garnered in the passing game!
The Lions will be looking for their second straight win against the Eskimos on Saturday. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)
When push comes to shove, the Eskimos shot themselves in the foot in every aspect of the game. Not only has this team had their issues with penalties but they have turned the ball over eight times and have generated six takeaways (three on downs).
However, this team has averaged 25.3 points per game but they need some more chemistry on offense and they need to clean up their play on both sides of the ball.
To beat BC, you have to bring your best. Any mistakes will generally cost you against the Leos.
The BC Lions haven’t exactly lit up the score board yet this year, but the defense has shaken off a poor first outing of the season and has dominated just like we all knew they would. Last week Travis Lulay converted 12-of-18 passes for just 158 yards with two TD passes – one to Emmanuel Arceneaux and the other to Andrew Harris.
Harris had four catches for 30 yards and had 17 carries for an additional 70 yards. Lulay continued to show why he is one of the best at taking what the defense gives you as well. He had a game-high 82 yards on nine rushing attempts.
The BC offense will continue to do just enough while the defense struts its stuff this season. The BC defense leads the league in yards allowed (274.3 ypg), permitting a league-best 6.2 yards per pass, all of which has led to only 47 first downs for opponents.
The Lions have given up a total of just 19 points the last two games and is proving to be a handful for the opposition. Against a suspect Edmonton offense, don’t expect much to change – the Lions are simply stellar on the defensive side of the ball.
Dave B’s Free Won’t Cost You Anything Week 4 Prediction
A few trends to consider:
- Edmonton is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Edmonton’s last 10 games
- Edmonton is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
- Edmonton is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton’s last 7 games on the road
- Edmonton is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
- Edmonton is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing British Columbia
- Edmonton is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing British Columbia
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton’s last 7 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
- Edmonton is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
- Edmonton is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
- British Columbia is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games
- British Columbia is 16-2 SU in its last 18 games at home
- British Columbia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Edmonton
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of British Columbia’s last 7 games when playing at home against Edmonton
- British Columbia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Edmonton
The Lions have owned the Eskimos the last few years – 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings.
That doesn’t figure to change when the Eskimos visit BC Place, where the Lions are 16-2 in their last 18.
Changes have been promised by Edmonton Coach Kavis Reid ahead of Saturday’s game but one thing that won’t change is Edmonton’s QB Mike Reilly whom the Lions know perhaps too well. The Lions are heavy favorites this week – I expect them to perform at a high level and to win by 10 over a rather unflattering Edmonton team.
Pick: BC Lions -8 1/2
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