2025 CFL Week 3 Betting Odds and Picks: Lions, Bombers rematch highlights schedule
We’re in a bit of a weird stretch in the CFL season, with several undefeated teams, several winless teams and a few teams that have only played one game.
It’s tough to get a good view of exactly where each team is at after only two weeks, but there is still enough data and tape to give us some solid insights ahead of Week 3.
Let’s take a look at all the Week 3 matchups.
Montreal Alouettes at Edmonton Elks
The Montreal Alouettes have had a great start to the season at 2-0 and Week 3 sees them face their first West Division opponent of the year, Edmonton, in the Elks’ home opener.
It’s early, but the Als have been the best team overall team through two weeks of the 2025 season, ranking first in net defence and second in points-per-game.
Quarterback Davis Alexander has proven to be an upgrade over Cody Fajardo, throwing for over 300 yards in Week 2 to improve to 6-0 in his career as a starter. Alexander has clicked with his receiving corps, which should prove beneficial against an Edmonton defence that was torched for 324 yards by Nathan Rourke and the Lions in Week 1.
The Elks were a mess on both sides of the ball in Week 1. The offence generated just 248 yards of net offence, while the defence gave up four touchdowns in the second half alone. It’s only been one game, but Edmonton clearly has their work cut out for them with a developing quarterback and a rookie head coach.
Pick: Montreal -6.5
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Toronto Argonauts
The 2-0 Riders are set to face an East Division team for the third straight week when they travel to Toronto to face the winless Argonauts in Week 3.
It hasn’t always been pretty, but a perfect record is still a perfect record for Saskatchewan. Veteran quarterback Trevor Harris has looked good early, while Samuel Emilus and KeeSean Johnson are each coming off back-to-back 100 yards games.
That offensive unit should prove to be a tough test for an Argos defence that has struggled in the first two weeks of the season. Toronto’s Grey Cup-winning defence was pilfered in free agency and it has shown, particularly last week against Calgary’s passing attack led by Vernon Adams Jr.
Nick Arbuckle hasn’t looked like the MVP calibre quarterback he was in last year’s Grey Cup game, which likely has head coach Ryan Dinwiddie counting down the days until Chad Kelly is ready to return under centre.
Pick: Saskatchewan -2.5
Ottawa RedBlacks at Calgary Stampeders
The 2-0 Stampeders were expected to be one of the worst teams in the CFL this season, but Toronto and Hamilton found out the hard way that you can’t overlook Calgary. Meanwhile, Ottawa is hoping to turn around a dismal 2024 road record.
Vernon Adams Jr. has proven to be a huge boost to the Stamps’ offence. Despite not having a passing touchdown to his name, Adams has racked up the second-most passing yards in the CFL. He’s also shown great chemistry with receivers Clark Barnes and Jalen Philpot, who have alternated 100-yard games to start the year.
Ottawa had the worst road record in the CFL last season, so there has to be some apprehension about a long-distance trip. Unfortunately for Week 3, quarterback Dru Brown will be playing hurt if he’s able to suit up, while backup Matthew Shiltz is coming off a three-interception performance in Brown’s absence last week.
It’s tough to have a confidence in either of these teams this week. There are clear warts in Calgary’s game and they are lucky to be 2-0, while Ottawa has done nothing to suggest they have found a way to beat their road woes. This looks like the blueprint for a lower scoring game.
Pick: Under 50.5
Winnipeg Blue Bombers at BC Lions
This is the game of the week between two Grey Cup contenders that will likely face each other in the West Division Final. It’s also a rematch of Week 2, which saw Winnipeg cruise to 34-20 win at home.
The Bombers are set to get back quarterback Zach Collaros from a one-game suspension, which creates a dual threat offence after Winnipeg’s rushing attack walked all over BC last week. Matthew Peterson wasted no time making his name known this season, rushing for 130 yards and a TD against the Lions.
BC was bullied by the Bombers last week, particularly quarterback Nathan Roruke, who has been a limited participant at practice with a core injury. That puts more pressure on Keon Hatcher, who had a monster performance with 150 rushing yards and a touchdown last week.
While both teams have things to work on, last week was easily the best of the Week 2 matchups and I expect the same in Week 3. Rourke’s injury puts a big question mark on this game, so I’ll stay away from the spread. BC and Winnipeg combined for 848 yards of net offence last week and I expect another high scoring, offensive fiesta on Saturday.
Pick: Over 50.5
