The Blue Bombers return to action after claiming their first CFL West Division title in a decade with a league-best 11-3-0 straight up record. And with the core of their championship roster intact, the Bombers are well positioned to become the first team to complete the Grey Cup three-peat in 40 years.

With the CFL returning to its traditional 18-game regular season schedule, there is no shortage of challengers to the Blue Bombers’ throne. Here’s how the CFL futures odds shape up going into Week 1 action.

2022 Grey Cup Odds

Can Riders, Ti-Cats Take Next Step?

Fresh off a second straight loss to Winnipeg in the West Final, the Saskatchewan Roughriders sit second to the Bombers as a +485 bet on the Grey Cup odds. The Riders are closely trailed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who sit alongside the Toronto Argonauts with +520 odds to win the Grey Cup after falling to defeat at the hands of the Bombers in each of the past two editions of the Grey Cup.

Winners of 13 games during the 2019 campaign, the Roughriders took a step back last season, finishing with a middling 9-5-0 record. In addition to falling to Winnipeg in two straight West Final clashes, Saskatchewan has also tallied just two wins in seven regular season dates with the Blue Bombers. However, there is still plenty to like about the Roughriders. Quarterback Cody Fajardo opens the season as a +500 second favourite to claim CFL Most Outstanding Player honours. Fajardo enjoys the benefit of an elite receiving corps that includes Shaq Evans, Kyran Moore and Duke Williams. The Riders are also set to play host to this season’s Grey Cup on their home turf at Mosaic Stadium.

With Dane Evans poised to step in as the team’s undisputed starting pivot, the Ti-Cats have their sights set on a third straight trip to the Grey Cup. However, it could be an uphill battle for Hamilton, which dipped to 8-6-0 last season after piling up 15 wins in 2019. The departure of star receiver Brandon Banks for Toronto does not help matters. However, the Tiger-Cats have remained resilient, and open their schedule as surprising +150 chalk to win the East.

A massive makeover of both the roster and coaching staff by general manager Mike Clemons paid dividends last season, with the Toronto Argonauts returning to the top of the East Division for the first time since 2017. Clemons also kept busy during the offseason, adding both Banks and Bombers star rusher Andrew Harris. The question is whether passer McLeod Bethel-Thompson can improve after connecting on just 12 scoring passes against 11 picks last season. Fan apathy also remains a concern in Toronto. However, the Argos remain a solid -125 bet to win OVER 9.5 games.

Stamps, Alouettes Lead Also-Rans

Perennial early-season favourites after reaching the Grey Cup five times between 2012 and 2018, the Calgary Stampeders have been playoff disappointments in each of the past two seasons and open the campaign as a lengthy +620 Grey Cup bet. With quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. back at full health, and set to lead an offence that features running back William Stanback and receiver Eugene Lewis, the Montreal Alouettes should be fun to watch. Montreal struggled down the stretch last season to finish at 7-7-0, but with neither Hamilton nor Toronto poised to dominate, the Als offer intriguing value as a +395 wager to win the East.

Further down the Grey Cup odds, the Ottawa RedBlacks join the Edmonton Elks at +1100, while the BC Lions lag as +1300 longshots.

Best Bets: Alouettes OVER 8.5 wins (-115); Blue Bombers win West Division (+115)