Blue Bombers vs. Lions Prediction: CFL Week 11 Point Spread, Odds
Rourke returned to the Lions this week after spending the past 18 months trying to establish himself as an NFL quarterback. The 26-year-old’s CFL return is timely for the Lions, who have sorely missed injured veteran passer Vernon Adams Jr. during a three-game losing streak in which they have averaged just 13.3 points per game. The Blue Bombers return to action well rested after enjoying a bye week in the wake of a 25-0 rout of the Lions two weeks ago, but have work to do to put the brakes on a three-game losing streak on the road.
The Lions are listed as slim 1.5-point home favourites on the CFL Week 11 odds. The Bombers trail as +115 underdogs on the CFL moneyline, and the total is pegged at 48.5.
CFL Week 11 Odds and Betting
The Blue Bombers’ Week 9 victory over the visiting Lions extends what has a steady track record of success in head-to-head action. Overall, the Blue Bombers have claimed victory in 11 of 14 dates with the Lions since 2018 including a 4-1-0 record on the road. The Winnipeg defence has particularly impressed in recent dates with the Lions, holding BC to 14 or fewer points in three of their past five meetings. However, recent clashes between these squads at BC Place have tended to be high scoring, with the total reaching 60 in each of the Bombers’ past three visits. But overall, it is the UNDER yhat has paid out in their past three matchups.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Heartened by their 23-0 win over BC two weeks ago, the Lions will once again look to leverage a stout defence as they continue their drive back into playoff contention. While the Bombers have lost two of their past three, they surrendered just 35 total points in those defeats and have now allowed fewer than 21 points per game this season. The big question surrounding this team is which version of quarterback Zach Collaros will show up this weekend. Collaros has steadily shown improvement since failing to toss a scoring pass in his first five appearances this season, but lit up the Lions for 295 yards and one TD two weeks ago while avoid throwing a pick for the first time in four games. Should Collaros falter, the fate of the Bombers could be once again in hands of running back Brady Oliveira, who reached 100 rushing yards for the third time this season in the team’s recent win over BC, and sports -115 odds on the CFL player props to top 80.5 rushing yards on Sunday night.
BC Lions
Nathan Rourke has reportedly not missed a beat in his first practices with the Lions this week. However, the Victoria, BC native has seen limited game action since leaving the CFL two years ago, and turned in an underwhelming performance in a failed NFL preseason audition with the Atlanta Falcons last week, completing just three of 13 pass attempts for just 37 yards in a 20-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins. However, if Rourke can shake off the rust quickly, he could quickly and dramatically impact the Lions’ fortunes. The 26-year-old tossed for 3349 yards and 25 touchdowns for BC during an injury shortened 2022 campaign, which he finished as the league leader in passer efficiency, completion percentage and yards per game, while setting a CFL record with a 78.7% completion percentage.