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Edgar Chaput
Lions vs. Blue Bombers Prediction: CFL Week 3 Point Spread, Odds
A pair of 2-0 squads enter battle when Week 3 commences. While that may suggest the involvement of evenly matched teams, few would consider the Lions to be on the same level as the Blue Bombers. Therein lies some of this game’s intrigue. Can BC stake a claim in being the best team in the West?
The oddsmakers don’t think so, as Winnipeg is currently favoured at -6.0. The total has been tabulated at 49.0.
CFL Odds and Betting
Familiar foes meet. Granted, everyone in the CFL is familiar with each other, but this case is special. The last time these clubs crossed paths, a ticket to the Grey Cup was up for grabs. The Blue Bombers tamed the Lions 28-20 last November, earning their third consecutive birth in the big game.
It should be noted that the Vancouver outfit made Winnipeg suffer one of its three regular season defeats last year by winning 40-32 in October.
Through two games, both sides have covered the spread.
There are significant injury updates betters should take note of. Lions WR Dominique Rhymes, who’s caught three touchdown passes already, missed practice with a right foot injury and will not suit up in Week 3. On the other side, Winnipeg RB Brady Oliveira is nursing thorax discomfort and is doubtful for Thursday. Dalton Schoen, the team’s best receiver, is doubtful (hip).
BC Lions
Come what may Thursday night in Winnipeg, the BC Lions have by and large begun 2023 much like how they played in 2022. Exhibit A being last week at home to the Elks.
To be fair, Edmonton is not a good football team these days. That said, this is a difficult sport to earn a shutout in, especially in the CFL where a rouge can be scored. It didn’t matter to the Lions, who were brilliant defensively in their home opener, winning 22-0. Edmonton was limited to a paltry 151 total yards of offence whereas BC gobbled up 434. The only disappointment was that the Lions rarely cashed in the end zone. Five of their six scores were field goals off kicker Sean Whyte’s foot.
Vernon Adams Jr. was efficient for the most part, going 25-for-35 and totalling 324 yards and a TD to Rhymes in the third quarter. Taquan Mizzell gashed the Edmonton defence for 93 yards. It was a methodical game in which a pretty good team simply took care of business against a rather poor one. Winnipeg, on the road no less, will be a different story.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Through two weeks the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have played two similar games. Opponents find a variety of ways to hang with reigning West champs for a while, but Mike O’Shea’s offence is just too strong.
Interestingly, it was the Roughriders who outgained the Bombers 445-406 despite losing the contest 45-27. Of course, when Janarion Grant can bust moves as he did in the third quarter on a 92-yard punt return to the house, it’s okay if the other team gains a few more yards. In many ways, it spoke to Winnipeg’s versatility. In Week 1 they allowed the opposition to keep it close because of turnovers. In Regina, they committed no turnovers at all, and while the defence was a bit leaky at times, it still didn’t matter.
QB Zach Collaros did damage with both his arm and legs. He threw for 293 yards and two TDs, but also took one in himself from four yards out in the second quarter. The season is early, and a big test awaits them Thursday when the Lions pay a visit, but so far this team looks rather intimidating.
BC
WPG