Blue Bombers vs. Lions Prediction: CFL Week 3 Point Spread, Odds
It’s a heavyweight rematch in the West Division on Saturday as BC prepares to host Winnipeg a week after the Bombers downed the Lions 34-20 in the ‘Peg. But, with a couple of huge offensive stars set to miss this game, we could be in for a tighter battle in Week 3.
The Bombers are three-point favourites to win on the CFL odds, with the total set at 50.5.
CFL Odds and Betting
Last week’s result extended a head-to-head history that has seen Winnipeg win three straight games and eight of the last 10 overall. The Bombers have also covered in three straight while going 8-2 against the spread in the last 10 meetings.
Including their season-opening win at home in Week 1, the Lions have won 17 of their last 26 games played at BC Place. That doesn’t bode well for a Winnipeg squad that finished just one game above .500 on the road last seasons.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
With Zach Collaros suspended one game to start the season, backup quarterback Chris Streveler took over the reins and had a solid performance with 246 passing yards, three touchdowns and an interception in Week 2. Nic Demski hauled in two of those TD passes, while Keric Wheatfall finished with 127 receiving yards and a touchdown. Rookie Matthew Peterson made a fantastic impression with 130 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Winnipeg gets a big piece of their lineup back on Saturday, with Collaros returning under centre. Unfortunately, the Bombers will be without the services of star running back Brady Oliveira. The 27-year-old reigning Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian managed 49 yards on two carries last week before leaving with a shoulder injury. Luckily, the rookie Peterson looks more than capable of filling Oliveira’s cleats.
BC Lions
Quarterback Nathan Rourke certainly didn’t have his best outing last week, completing just 12 of 27 pass attempts for 249 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Rourke also carried the ball six times for 58 yards and a score before leaving in the fourth quarter with a core injury. Veteran Jeremiah Masoli is expected to start this week in Rourke’s place. Masoli completed seven of 10 pass attempts in relief last week for 84 yards, no TDs and on interception.
Keon Hatcher had a monster performance in Week 2, finishing with 150 receiving yards and a TD. With Rourke and James Butler (10 carries, 27 yards) the only players to record rushing stats last week, you can expect Hatcher to put up big numbers again in Week 3. I would also expect Justin McInnis, who had four catches for 58 yards last week, to see some targets.
WPG
BC