Blue Bombers vs. Argonauts CFL Division Semifinal Betting Odds, Picks: Dru Brown starting for Winnipeg
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be looking to avenge a pair of recent Grey Cup losses to the Toronto Argonauts when they hit the gridiron on Saturday afternoon to face the Argos in this season’s CFL East semifinal at BMO Field.
The Bombers claimed fourth-place in the West and earned the right to claim the crossover into the East final with wins in two of their final three regular-season contests, and will be making a 10th straight appearance in the CFL playoffs.
The Argonauts are coming off a 9-9-0 SU campaign that was good enough for second place in the CFL East, but enter the postseason riding a three-game losing streak, capped by last week’s 33-16 loss to the visiting Montreal Alouettes.
The Argonauts lead the way as 4.5-point home favourites on the CFL East semifinal odds. The Blue Bombers trail as +170 CFL moneyline underdogs and the total is listed at 57.5.
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CFL Odds and Betting
These squads split a pair of meetings this season, with the visiting side emerging victorious in each, capped by the Bombers’ 30-28 win in Toronto last month. But overall, the Argos hold the edge in head-to-head play, topping Winnipeg in six of nine dates including a 24-23 win in the 2022 Grey Cup and a 41-24 rout in the 2024 Grey Cup. Recent clashes between these teams have tended toward lower scoring, with the total topping 52 just three times in their past 10 matchups, powering a 6-4 run for the UNDER in CFL totals betting.
With losses in their final three scheduled contests, the Argonauts enter the playoffs trailing the favourites as a +550 bet on the Grey Cup odds while the Blue Bombers lag as +1400 long shots. It is tough to ignore the Bombers’ playoff success, going 8-5 SU and reaching the Grey Cup five times since 2019. However, Winnipeg fell short playing in the Eastern semifinal last season and no crossover team has ever won a Grey Cup.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Blue Bombers’ season appeared to be slipping away when Zach Collaros suffered a rib injury against BC last Friday. The Bombers trailed 10-3 before Dru Brown entered the game, and completed all 11 of his passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns in a remarkable comeback victory.
Brown will now make his third start against Toronto this season. He threw for 339 yards and a touchdown in Winnipeg’s 30-21 victory in July, and the Bombers nearly completed a season sweep before falling 30-28 in September.
Brown also has postseason experience against the Argonauts. Playing for Ottawa in the 2024 Eastern semifinal, he completed 46 of 61 passes for 487 yards in a losing effort.
However, injuries are a concern, with receiver Nic Demski listed as questionable with an ankle injury and Gavin Cobb ruled out with a hand injury.
Brady Oliveira also saved his best performance of the campaign for Week 21, racking up 149 rushing yards and two scoring runs and closing out the season with 1493 yards.
Toronto Argonauts
The Argos struggled down the stretch but should get a lift from the return of quarterback Chad Kelly, who was sidelined by a knee injury suffered in the squad’s 40-39 loss to Ottawa in Week 20.
However, Kelly participated fully in all three practices this week and is expected to make the start on Saturday. The 32-year-old finished the regular season with 5,067 passing yards and 33 touchdowns, and his 70.9 per cent completion rate was also a career best.
Unfortunately, his 24 interceptions led the CFL. Toronto’s passing attack led the league with 342.5 yards per game.
Damonte Coxie, David Ungerer III, Tyler Kahmann and Kevin Mital all exceeded 1,000 receiving yards, giving Kelly multiple dangerous targets.
Kahmann has been particularly impressive in his rookie campaign, catching 77 passes for 1,092 yards and eight touchdowns. His 56-yard touchdown reception helped Toronto rally against Winnipeg in September.
The Argonauts were less effective on the ground, ranking eighth with 72.2 rushing yards per game, and recorded just 40 total rushing yards in each of their final two games.
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