Twice The Fun – CFL Handicapping – Semi Final Parlay Predictions
Two struggling Eastern Division teams do battle on Sunday in the first of the CFL semi-final games. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have lost four of their last five games heading into Sunday’s action while the Montreal Alouettes have lost three straight games.
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HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (8-10) vs. MONTREAL ALOUETTES (10-8)
Date/Time: Sunday, November 13, 1:00 PM ET
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec
Broadcast: TSN
Tiger-Cats vs. Alouettes Betting Lines from betonline.com
Spread: Alouettes -5 ½
Moneyline: OFF
Over/Under: 55 points
One of these teams will play for the right to represent the East in this year’s Grey Cup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have employed a two quarterback system lately with limited success. Kevin Glenn passed for almost 4000 yards during the regular season but threw 17 interceptions to go along with 19 touchdowns. Quinton Porter acted as a decent change of pace QB to help the Ti-Cats finish with the 5th ranked passing game in the NFL. Rookie Chris Williams had a breakout campaign and registered 70 catches for 1064 yards and six touchdowns. Hamilton could have some success against a Montreal pass defense that was a disappointing 7th in the CFL allowing 282 yards per game.
Hamilton had the 8th ranked running game this season and was anchored by veteran Avon Cobourne who had 961 yards and eight touchdowns along the way. Cobourne and company may have a tough time against Montreal’s #1 ranked run defense.
Montreal’s overall numbers do not reflect their record. Anthony Calvillo who became the CFL’s leading all-time passer this season with 73,412 yards and the CFL’s all-time touchdown leader with 418 led the Alouettes to the best passing offense in the CFL this season with an average of 309 yards per game. He struggled down the stretch however and had the worst game of his career in his last outing – 63 yards passing against the BC Lions. Hopes in Montreal are that Calvillo and the top receiver in the CFL, Jamel Richardson (112 catches. 1777 yards and 11 touchdowns) will be able to exploit Hamilton’s 6th ranked pass defense.
Montreal’s running game was also solid this season – 3rd ranked and averaging 111.44 yards per game. Brandon Whitaker was terrific on the way to gaining 1378 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Betting Prediction: These teams played each other very tough this season – Montreal outscored Hamilton 117-116 during their 4 meetings this season. It is hard to imagine the Alouettes losing four straight games – Calvillo is just too good. November is Montreal’s time to shine – they have won two straight Grey Cups and have appeared in three straight Eastern Division Finals. Montreal has all the pieces in place – now it is time to prove it!
Pick: Montreal Alouettes 5 ½
CALGARY STAMPEDERS (11-7) vs. EDMONTON ESKIMOS (11-7)
Date/Time: Sunday, November 13, 4:30 PM ET
Venue: Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Alberta
Broadcast: TSN
Stampeders vs. Eskimos Betting Lines from betonline.com
Spread: Eskimos -2
Moneyline: OFF
Over/Under: 51 ½ points
Two of the hotter CFL teams do battle on Sunday when the Calgary Stampeders play the Edmonton Eskimos play for the right to travel to BC and play in the Western Division final. Calgary has won three straight games while the Edmonton Eskimos have won four of their last five games. [ad-4437448]
The Calgary Stampeders made possibly the most daring roster move of anyone in the CFL when they went away from Henry Burris in favor of Drew Tate at quarterback. Tate helped the Stamps finish with the third ranked passing offense in the league – 279.61 yards per game. Tate is a threat to throw the ball and is also a threat to run the ball. With weapons like Nik Lewis, Ken-Yon Rambo, Johnny Forzani and Romby Bryant in the fold, Tate’s job is easier than one might think!
Calgary finished the regular season with the second best running game in the CFL. Jon Cornish was 5th in the CFL with 863 yards and nine touchdowns while Joffrey Reynolds was quiet this season but still lingers as a dangerous threat out of the Stampeders backfield.
The Edmonton Eskimos were wildly inconsistent this season – five straight wins to start the season, a mid season slump and a strong finish. Edmonton was middle of the road on offense and defense this season but did a tremendous job in limiting game-changing mistakes.
Ricky Ray has staked his claim as the comeback player of the year. He finished with a very good 99.3 QB rating this season and only threw 11 interceptions. Adarius Bowman came on late in the season and registered 10 catches for an incredible 226 yards and two scores in the last game of the season. He and Fred Stamps became as dangerous a duo as there was in the CFL at the end of the season. Edmonton finished 4th in passing with 267.83 yards per game.
Edmonton’s running game featured Jerome Messam who emerged this season as a serious threat out of the backfield. He helped the Eskimos to the 5th ranked rushing attack in the CFL this season.
Betting Prediction: The Edmonton Eskimos are a proud franchise that has certainly had their issues over the past few years. Now, hosting a playoff game, I can’t see them being denied. Experience is a huge factor going into the playoffs – Ricky Ray versus Drew Tate is a huge mismatch in that department. Drew Tate is a nice player but he may be a year or two away from guiding his team to a crucial playoff win.
Pick: Edmonton Eskimos -2
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