Argonauts vs. Roughriders CFL Week 13 Betting Odds, Picks: Saskatchewan opens as 4.5-point favourites
The Saskatchewan Roughriders look to snap a two-game losing streak that has left them clinging to second place in the CFL West standings when they host the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday night in CFL Week 13 betting action at Mosaic Stadium.
The Riders dropped a 30-16 road decision to the BC Lions last weekend, and enter CFL Week 13 trailing the CFL West-leading Edmonton Elks by four points, but with one game in hand.
The Argonauts arrive in Regina in control of second place in the CFL East after rolling to a decisive 39-20 victory over the rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats last weekend, and have claimed victory in three of their past four outings.
The slumping Riders lead the way as 4.5-point home favourites on the CFL Week 13 odds. The Argos trail as +170 underdogs on the CFL moneyline and the total is listed at 62.5.
CFL Odds and Betting
Saturday night’s matchup marks the second and final scheduled meeting of the season between these squads. The Argonauts escaped with a 40-34 victory when they visited Saskatchewan early in the season, halting a two-game head-to-head losing streak.
However, the Boatmen have enjoyed historic success when facing the defending Grey Cup champions, picking up two points in six of their past nine dates, and have covered the spread in their past two clashes with the Riders, both as betting underdogs.
However, the Argonauts have been a middling bet overall in recent weeks, going 3-4 ATS in their past seven and 1-4 ATS in their past five road dates.
The Roughriders have struggled to generate offence during their current two-game swoon, averaging just 17.5 points per game. The squad has also struggled to reward loyal CFL betting fans, going just 2-6 ATS in their past eight overall and 2-5 ATS in their past seven as betting chalk.
Toronto Argonauts
Chad Kelly rebounded from back-to-back shaky outings with a steady performance in last week’s victory over the Tiger-Cats. The Argos pivot completed 26 of 34 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
This marks a big turnaround after Kelly connected for just one score against five total picks in his previous two outings. However, he still managed to throw one pick, bringing his total interceptions on the season to 15.
Once again, Kelly took full advantage of his receiving corps, with a pair of wideouts compiling 70+ yards, led by Damonte Coxie, who pulled in a pair of targets for TDs. Coxie now leads a group of five Toronto receivers who have recorded at least 500 receiving yards this season.
The Argos also got a lift in the backfield. Canadian rookie Isaiah Smith galloped for 99 yards on 15 carries in his first start, and now ranks second on the squad with 215 rushing yards on the year.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
While Chad Kelly overcame his recent struggles in Toronto’s win last weekend, Riders passer Trevor Harris saw his woes deepened. While Harris piled up a respectable 356 passing yards in last weekend’s brutal loss to the Lions, he found the end zone just once while tossing a pair of picks, and has now thrown for just one score in three of four outings.
Harris also threw a pair of interceptions for a second straight week, and has now thrown at least one pick in eight straight appearances, and 11 overall over that stretch.
The Riders have not been helped by their continued injury woes. Hopes were raised by Samuel Emilus’ return from injury last week. Emilus emerged as Harris’ favourite target while making seven catches for 66 yards, but will be unavailable indefinitely after being returned to the six-game disabled list earlier this week.
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