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CFL Picks – Calgary Stampeders vs. Montreal Alouettes

Week 18 CALGARY STAMPEDERS (9-7) vs. MONTREAL ALOUETTES (10-6)

Date/Time: Sunday, October 30, 1:00 PM ET
Venue: Percival Molson Stadium, Montreal, Quebec
Broadcast: TSN

Stampeders vs. Alouettes Betting Lines from betonline.com.

Spread: Alouettes -4 ½
Moneyline: OFF
Over/Under: 56 points

In what is one of two marquee matchups in the CFL in Week 18, the Calgary Stampeders, in desperate need of a win to remain in the hunt for a home playoff game, travel East to take on a Montreal team that fell into a tie for first in the East last week with their 26-25 loss at Winnipeg – in a game that they appeared to be in total control of. Both teams have a lot to play for on Sunday which makes this a very intriguing late-season matchup.

The Calgary Stampeders did their part last week – they beat a reeling Saskatchewan team to remain in striking distance of Edmonton and BC in the West. Drew Tate has seized the starting QB role from Henry Burris and is doing all he can to hang onto it. Tate completed 23 of 32 passes in his first career start last week while throwing one touchdown and two interceptions. With weapons like Nik Lewis, Ken-Yon Rambo and Romby Bryant, Tate could have some success against Montreal’s sketchy pass defense.

Calgary saw the return of Joffrey Reynolds last week – a return from Football oblivion. His presence, along with Jon Cornish gives the Stamps one of the best 1-2 punches out of the backfield in the league. If these two are touching the ball, Calgary is having success!   [ad-4437448]

The Montreal Alouettes played perhaps their worst game of the season last week and still they lost by only one point. Anthony Calvillo passed for only 199 yards while throwing three interceptions – this after throwing only five picks all season! Still, the league leader in passing yards and touchdowns is bound to bounce back. Calvillo isn’t the most prolific passer in pro football for no reason!

Jamel Richardson continues to be virtually unstoppable and Brandon Whitaker has been playing at a very high level the last few weeks. Montreal is due for a bounce back week – Calvillo simply doesn’t struggle two weeks in a row!

Betting Prediction: Drew Tate won in his debut last week and looked pretty good. But that was against Saskatchewan – Montreal is a totally different challenge. The Alouettes continue to be the highest scoring team in the CFL with Calgary, surprisingly not far behind. It has been a long time since the Alouettes had something to play for this late in the season and I think that their focus will be spot on. With an inexperienced quarterback opposing them, expect a veteran and elite Montreal squad to easily cover on Sunday.

Pick: Montreal Alouettes -4 ½

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.