Blue Bombers vs. Tiger-Cats Prediction: CFL Week 18 Point Spread, Odds
The Bombers clinched a playoff spot with a 55-27 blowout win against the Elks last week, giving them a three-point lead over Saskatchewan for first in the West Division. Hamilton is in the opposite position as they sit last in the East Division despite a 32-29 overtime win in BC last week.
Winnipeg opened as a 4.5-point favourite to win on the CFL odds, with the total set at 50.5.
CFL Odds and Betting
This wraps up the season series after the Bombers won 26-23 at home in Week 12. It was a chippy game that saw two Winnipeg players (Brandon Alexander, Tanner Cadwallader) and one Hamilton player (James Tuck) fined for excessive or late hits. It’s also worth noting the home team has won five straight games in the head-to-head series and the Over has hit in four of those contests.
Both teams are 7-8 against the spread this season, but that’s where the betting similarities end. As mentioned, the Bombers are first in their division (9-6 straight up) while the Ti-Cats are last in their division (6-9 SU). They’ve also trended in different directions on totals betting, with Winnipeg playing the Under 12 times and Hamilton hitting the Over 11 times.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
It was a career-day for quarterback Zach Collaros last week as the Bombers pivot completed 21 of 26 pass attempts for 432 yards and a career-high six touchdowns. Collaros connected on TDs with Kenny Lawler (two), Nic Demski (two), Keric Wheatfall (one) and Brady Oliveira (one). For the first time this season, Collaros has a positive TD-INT ratio (15 TDs, 14 INTs). Oliveira finished the day with 86 rushing yards, 33 receiving yards and a TD.
Offensive coordinator Buck Pierce deserves a lot of the credit for last week’s win considering his unit finished with 48 points, 524 net yards, 24 first downs and no turnovers. This week will be another chance for Pierce’s offensive attack to feast as Hamilton ranks seventh in the CFL in both average total yards allowed (387.4) and rushing yards allowed (110.1) per game and they are last in points allowed (31.3) per game.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
It’s been a tough season for the Ti-Cats, but they managed to squeak out a fourth straight win last week after rallying from a 16-point deficit and scoring two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter before winning the game in overtime. Bo Levi Mitchell finished the day 34-of-40 for 315 passing yards, two TDs and an interception. Mitchell has had a resurgent year, leading the CFL in passing yards (4,359) and passing TDs (26) although he has also thrown a league-high 14 INTs.
Hamilton has kept their playoff hopes alive over the last month, but it’s still a tricky road ahead as they sit four points back of Toronto, five points back of Ottawa and 11 points back of Montreal. The Tiger-Cats’ saving grace, however, could come as a crossover team considering BC is third in the West Division with just 14 points. They also have a fairly favourable schedule as their next two games are at home (they play last place Calgary in Week 20) before ending the regular season in Ottawa. You’ve got to think Hamilton needs to win at least two of those final three games to have a shot at the playoffs.
WPG
HAM