Elks vs. Lions Prediction: CFL Week 1 Point Spread, Odds
Both these teams return to action after enduring largely forgettable seasons in 2024. The Elks made modest improvements while compiling a 7-11-0 record but fell short of a berth in CFL playoffs for a four straight year. The Lions took a step in 2024, finishing the regular season with a 9-9-0 record to eke out third place in the CFL West Division standings before quickly bowing out of the postseason with a 28-19 loss to Saskatchewan in the West semi-final. However, the Lions have dominated the Elks in regular season meetings on home turf, winning five straight, capped by a 24-21 victory almost a year ago.
The Lions open their campaign perched as 5.5-point favourites on the CFL Week1 odds. The Elks trail as +200 underdogs on the CFL moneyline and the total is listed at 49.5.
CFL Odds and Betting
The Lions have held a clear upper hand when the Elks come to town, with the first four wins on their current 5-0-0 head-to-head win streak coming by an average margin of 32.8 points. However, the Elks closed the gap in last season’s matchup, forcing the Lions to kick a field goal with no time on the clock to claim a 24-21 win.
The Elks exacted a measure of revenge with last Friday’s impressive 20-19 preseason win over the Lions at home, which should remain fresh in the minds of both teams heading into Saturday’s clash.
Elks betting fans should also be heartened by the team’s improved play on the road as last season progressed. Losers in 10 of their previous 13 on the road including their first three away dates of 2024, the Elks rebounded to win four of their final six road dates last season.
Conversely, the Lions are charged with the tough task of rebounding from last season’s epic swoon that saw them lose eight of 12 after opening their schedule on a 5-1-0 run.
Edmonton Elks
For the first time since 1968, this CFL season opener will feature two Canadian starting quarterbacks, with Elks pivot Tre Ford facing off against Lions starting passer Nathan Rourke. A first-round pick by the Elks in 2022, Ford saw action in 16 games last season including five starts, tossing for 1,137 yards and 10 touchdowns against five picks while sharing the load under centre with McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who moved on to Montreal during the offseason.
While Ford gets the nod as starter entering the campaign, he is expected to pushed by veteran Cody Fajardo, who was acquired in the deal that sent Bethel-Thompson to the Alouettes. Ford should benefit from a strengthened offensive lines that features new arrivals Brett Boyko and Jacob Plamondon while Kurleigh Gittens, Jr. leads a receiving corps that also features newcomers Steven Dunbar Jr. and Kaion Julien-Grant and returnee Arkell Smith.
BC Lions
With his NFL ambitions seemingly behind him, the Lions look forward to a full season with Nathan Rourke running the offence. The Victoria, BC native returned to the Lions midway through last season, just as the squad hit the skids, and produced mixed results down the stretch, connecting for 1,781 passing yards in eight game appearances and failing to find the end zone in each of his final four outings of the campaign. The Lions also disappointed in preseason action, averaging just 17.5 points per game in while falling to the Elks and turning in a listless performance in a 26-16 defeat at the hands of Calgary.
However, it is important to note that Rourke saw no action in either of those contests. In addition, it should be interesting to watch how the arrival of new head coach Buck Pierce impacts this club. Pierce assumes CFL coaching reins for the first time in his lengthy career after overseeing the Winnipeg Blue Bombers offence for the past four seasons including the Bombers’ march to the Grey Cup in 2021.
EDM
BC