Elks vs. Argonauts Prediction: CFL Week 15 Point Spread, Odds
CFL Week 15 betting action on Saturday afternoon features a clash of teams in desperate need of points to return to playoff contention as the Toronto Argonauts host the Edmonton Elks at BMO Field.
The Argonauts have been idle since establishing their first two-game win streak of the season on Labour Day, when they escaped Hamilton with a slim 35-33 victory but remain two points back of second-place Montreal while also trailing the BC Lions, who enter Week 15 still in control of the third and final playoff spot in the CFL East.
The Elks rebounded from a lopsided 28-7 Labour day loss in Calgary with last week’s 31-19 home victory over the Stampeders to improve to 4-1-0 in their past five games but still enter the week trailing both the Lions and Winnipeg by two points in the race for third place in the CFL West.
The Argonauts have emerged as 3.5-point home favourites on the CFL Week 15 odds. The Elks trail as +155 underdogs on the CFL moneyline and the total is listed at 56.5.
CFL Odds and Betting
Saturday afternoon’s matchup is the second and final meeting of the regular season between these clubs. The Elks claimed a 28-20 win when the Argos visited last month to extend their home win streak versus Toronto to two games. However, they have lost two straight at BMO Field, capped by last season’s 39-36 defeat and have covered in just two of five dates with the Double Blue.
While wins have come at a premium for the Argonauts this season, the Toronto offence has been prolific at times, averaging 43.5 points scored during their current 2-0-0 run to seize the league lead with 30.3 points per game this season. However, the Argos also rank dead last in the CFL with 32.3 points allowed per game and have been rocked for 36 points per game at home.
The Elks meanwhile have steadily rediscovered their touch on both sides of the ball, allowing just 21.8 points per game during their 4-1-0 run, and have gone 4-1-0 in their past five versus CFL East opponents.
Edmonton Elks
It was a relatively quiet night for Cody Fajardo in last week’s win over the Stampeders. The Elks quarterback was steady while connecting on 16 of 21 targets for 153 yards and one touchdown, ending a two-game stretch during which he failed to find the end zone. However, Fajardo also generated a season-low 7.3 yards per pass attempt, raising questions as to whether he can keep Elks in the thick of things versus a red-hot Argo attack.
While Fajardo has been short of spectacular under centre, running back Justin Rankin has been picking up the slack. Rankin exploded for two TDs and 204 rushing yards versus Calgary, highlighted by a sensation 90-yard run, and should be backed on the CFL player props as a -118 bet to run for OVER 59.5 yards on Saturday.
Toronto Argonauts
Hopes that quarterback Chad Kelly would be return to play for the first time this season were dashed on Friday morning, when the Argos left the veteran pivot and Grey Cup champion off their roster for Saturday’s contest. Kelly had created a buzz with a social media post hinting at an imminent comeback but has faced delays in his recovery from a broken leg suffered in last season’ East Final.
That means the Toronto offence will once again be in the hands of Nick Arbuckle, who has quietly climbed to the top of the CFL passing stats with 3,828 yards and ranks second with 23 touchdowns. Indeed, given Arbuckle’s recent performance, there appears to be little need to rush Kelly back into service. The 31-year-old is coming off a 352-yard three-TD performance in Hamilton two weeks ago, and has now connected for 10 total touchdowns while tossing for an average of 373.5 yards over the past four games.
That production is good news consider the team’s struggles to move the ball on the ground last month in Edmonton, when they compiled just 29 rushing yards. However, Spencer Brown has been steady in the team’s two recent wins, compiling 175 total rushing yards and one score.
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