The 2023 regular season comes to a close in the CFL on Saturday as the Ottawa Redblacks play host to the Toronto Argonauts. The Redblacks are coming in fresh off last week’s bye, but they’re set to miss the playoffs for a fourth straight season as they enter Week 21 with a 4-13 record. The 15-2 Argos have locked up the best record in the CFL, but they will likely rest several key starters on Saturday ahead of the playoffs.

CFL Odds and Betting

Toronto took both previous meetings against the Redblacks this season. The Argos won 44-31 in Week 10 and 40-27 in Week 19. Both games were played in Toronto at BMO Field.

The Argonauts are 6-2 straight up on the road this year, but it’s worth noting that they are just 4-4 against the spread in those games. Toronto has dominated the provincial rivalry with Ottawa over recent years, winning nine of the last 10 head-to-heads. The Argos currently sit as +110 favourites to win the Grey Cup.

It’s safe to say this is a season the Redblacks would rather forget, although they were a little better at home than on the road. The Redblacks were 3-5 SU and 4-4 ATS in Ottawa compared to just 1-8 SU and 2-7 ATS on the road. Entering the final week of the regular season, the Redblacks have dropped 10 of their last 11 games.

Toronto Argonauts

Toronto played spoiler last week, eliminating the Roughriders from the playoffs with a 29-26 win in Saskatchewan. Chad Kelly and Cameron Duke split the game at quarterback. Kelly finished 18-of-25 for 275 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. Duke was 10-of-15 for 113 yards. Running back Daniel Adeboboye and receiver Damonte Coxie each had big outings. Adeboboye rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown while Coxie put up 105 receiving yards and a TD.

The Argos’ strategy of resting starters will likely continue in the regular season finale, although there is a bit of history on the line. Toronto would post the best regular season record in franchise history with a win on Saturday. They finished 15-3-0 in both the 1996 and 1997 seasons. The Argonauts would finish with a 16-2-0 record if they beat Ottawa.

Ottawa RedBlacks

Because of last week’s bye, this will actually be the second straight game the Redblacks face juggernaut Toronto. Ottawa was dismantled in a 40-27 loss in Toronto two weeks ago and it was really just more of the same for the struggling Redblacks. Quarterback Dustin Crum finished 13-of-16 passing for 183 yards with a touchdown and interception each. Tyrrell Pigrome entered the game in the fourth quarter, going 3-of-6 for 46 yards. Devonte Williams rushed for 125 yards and a score while Justin Hardy finished with 98 receiving yards and Jaelon Acklin put up 83 receiving yards.

The stats say it all for Ottawa this season. The Redblacks are seventh in the CFL in total yards per game (345.1), last in passing yards per game and sixth in points per game (23.1). Defensively, they rank last in total yards allowed per game (398.2), last in passing yards allowed per game (311.1) and seventh in points allowed per game (28.2).

CFL Prediction: Who Will Win Argonauts vs. RedBlacks?