Argonauts (6-4) vs Lions (7-3)
Headline: Lions Host Surging Argonauts on Saturday Night
The BC Lions fresh off a 43-10 win over the Montreal Alouettes play their second straight game at home on Saturday, this time against the co-leaders of the CFL Eastern Division and winners of two straight games the Toronto Argonauts.
Toronto Argonauts (6-4) vs. BC Lions (7-3)
Date/Time: Saturday, September 15, 7:00PM ET
Venue: BC Place Stadium, Vancouver British Columbia
Broadcast: TSN
Argos vs. Lions Betting Lines from Bodog (Bovada if in USA)
Spread: Lions -7
Moneyline: Argonauts +260: Lions -310
Over/Under: 47 points
BC brought it on both sides of the ball last week and outclassed a team that looked as though they couldn’t be outclassed and they will now attempt to send another Eastern Division contender home with their tale between their legs.
The Toronto Argonauts have steadily improved as the season has worn on. They have won three of their last four games and are coming off a 45-31 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last week. The addition of Ricky Ray has improved Toronto’s passing game drastically and the emergence of running back Chad Klackert has made them multi-dimensional on offense for the first time in a very long while.
Ricky Ray became just the second QB in the CFL to eclipse the 3000 yard passing mark and he is leading the CFL in completion percentage by a mile at 70.2%. The only problem thus far is his inability to finish drives with TD passes. He is also not immune to turning the ball over however – he leads the league in interceptions. But he has solidified a position historically poor for the Argos and his skills cannot be discounted ahead of Saturday’s game.
Toronto Argos vs. BC Lions Handicapping Preview
Chad Klackert was the difference last week for Toronto. He rumbled for a whopping 172 yards on 16 carries and he scored three times in the win. He has five TDs on the season and he is averaging 7.6 yards per carry on the year. BC will have their hands full with the multi-pronged attack but if there is a defense that can slow a hot offense it is the Lions who ended Anthony Calvillo’s nine game streak in which he eclipsed the 300 yard passing mark.
Toronto’s defense has been nothing special so far this season. They will have to hope to limit, not stop the BC offense. Chad Owens on special teams has been a monster as per usual – he alone could be the difference on Saturday.
The Lions absolutely dominated Montreal last week on both sides of the ball. Travis Lulay has been somewhere between good and great so far this year and along the way has tied Anthony Calvillo and Doug Flutie with a touchdown pass in 21 straight games. He is third in the CFL in QB efficiency and he has some weapons that have yet to have their best game this season. Although Arland Bruce has emerged, Geroy Simon has to break out sometime doesn’t he?
BC, like the Argos is dangerous in the passing and the running game. The Lions lead the league in rushing with 130 yards per game and Andrew Harris sits in third on the CFL rushing list.
Defense – you wanna talk defense? The Lions continue to be the best unit by a mile in the CFL. They were slightly off in Montreal two weeks ago but bounced back and proved that their performance on the road was the exception, not the rule.
Dave’s Won’t Cost You Anything Free CFL Betting Prediction
Trends To Consider
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto’s last 6 games when playing British Columbia
- Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto’s last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto’s last 6 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
- British Columbia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
- British Columbia is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games when playing Toronto
- British Columbia is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games at home
- British Columbia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The BC Lions are just 5-5 ATS this season and 7 points looks, on paper, like a large spread. But consider that the Lions are 10-1 since moving back to BC Place and they are 14-1 SU against the Argos.
I may stay away from the Spread this week but I sure do like the Lions at -310 – not a huge payday but a payday nonetheless.
I also love the Under in this game. Quality defenses, solid rushing attacks and some eye-pooping trends make the Under the play in this one.
Pick: BC Lions -7 and the Under 47 points
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