Argonauts vs. Lions Prediction: CFL Week 17 Point Spread, Odds
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David Bastl
With five games remaining, the Lions still have a shot at third place in the West, and the cross-over is a back-up possibility as well. Odds makers have the Lions labelled as 7-point favourites in this game.
CFL Betting Analysis
This is the second and final match-up of the season between these two teams. Back on August 18, the Argos squeaked out a 24-23 home field victory. The Argos won their third game of the season that day, and have not won a game since; currently riding a five game losing streak entering this game in BC. Since September of 2013, the Lions and Argos have played 10 games, with the Argos winning six games.
Over that time in BC Place, the Argos are a perfect 4-0 in four games. The Argos have struggled on the road this season, losing all six games played away from BMO Field (the only winless road CFL team), and are 5-16 against the spread in their last 21 road games. The Lions on the other hand are 5-1 on home turf, and 7-2 ATS in their last nine games overall.
Toronto Argonauts
It’s hard to believe the Toronto Argonauts are the defending Grey Cup Champions, especially with their miserable 3-10 record this season. In their most recent loss, the Boatmen were competitive in the first half against the Stampeders in Calgary down 14-10 at the break, but fell flat on their faces in the second half, allowing 24 points to seal the loss. To make matters worse, the team will be without star running back James Wilder Jr. as he suffered a leg injury against the Stamps. The reigning most outstanding rookie is listed as week-to-week.
Quarterback MacLeod Bethal-Thompson was 31-of-45 for 273 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Former NFL turned CFLer Dexter McCluster made his Canadian league debut carrying the ball four times for 27 yards, and catching six passes for 46 yards. He also factored in the kick return game, with two returns for 40 yards total.
BC Lions
Hopefully a lesson was learned in Hamilton this past weekend by the BC Lions. If you missed it, the Lions (jokingly) danced on the Tiger-Cats logo in practice, prior to the game, and that didn’t sit well with the home side, as the Ti-Cats pounded the Lions 40-10. The Lions scored three points in the first three quarters of the game, and didn’t score a major until the middle of the fourth and final quarter.
Nothing was generated under quarterback Jonathan Jennings, as he threw for 146 yards and three interceptions. He was replaced by back-up and true third stringer Cody Fajardo who manufactured the major for the visitors. The Lions offensive line also took a beating allowing five quarterback sacks and the team rushed for a miserable 51 yards total.
