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Edgar Chaput
Lions vs. RedBlacks Prediction: CFL Week 12 Point Spread, Odds
Two weeks ago no one would have guessed that Week 12 would feature a quarterback duel between Nathan Rourke and Jeremiah Masoli, yet here we are. Masoli’s return to action for the Ottawa Redblacks was sweet, as his side vanquished the Calgary Stampeders, 31-29. Nathan Rourke’s return to the BC Lions was more akin to a rude awakening. They were held in heck 20-11 by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Our CFL odds view the visiting Lions as slight -1 favourites for Saturday’s bout.
CFL Odds and Betting
This is the first meeting of the season between the Lions and Redblacks. In 2023 they only met once in a wild late-season game which BC won 41-37.
Ottawa has not known any success against their Vancouver-based rivals since 2018, from feels like a completely different era. Trevor Harris was QB that day for the Redblacks. He has since suited up for three different teams. Should the Lions win, it would mark their ninth consecutive versus the Redblacks.
For that to happen, BC will need to show desperation. Rick Campbell’s group has tripped up four times in a row. A stellar 5-1 outright start to the season is now a 5-5 tally befitting of the traffic jam in the West Division. BC also hasn’t scored more than 16 points in any of its last three matches. Things are no better against the spread. With four consecutive failures to cover, the club is now 4-6.
Ottawa is having one of its most memorable campaigns in some time. At 6-2-1 they’re still a few games behind the Alouettes for first in the East, but their hold on second place is strong. Bob Dyce’s men have also been trustworthy ATS, sporting a 6-3 record so far. They aren’t afraid of close contests either, as three of their last four victories were by a touchdown or less.
BC Lions
What was to be expected from Rourke on Sunday evening? He hadn’t played a down of CFL football in two years and the visiting Blue Bombers smelled blood in the False Creek water.
What resulted was a listless 20-11 defeat. Defensively the Lions were competent (TJ Lee had a nice interception in the fourth quarter) but had a bad habit of giving up big passing plays to Zach Collaros and company. Still, one can argue that the Lions’ defence was yet another that made Winnipeg’s once-vaunted attack look average in 2024.
Rourke went 8-for-25, 126, no TDs and two picks. He didn’t look ready to react quickly enough to what was happening around him. Things were so dire that the Lions scored their first points in two games versus Winnipeg with a late third-quarter field goal (they had lost 25-0 a fortnight ago). RB William Stanback continues to have a nice season. He finished with 100 yards on 15 carries. WR Justin McInnis, one of the league’s best, had four more catches to bolster his season tally to 55.
Ottawa RedBlacks
This was a long time coming for Jeremiah Masoli. He was supposed to be the main QB in 2022 and 2023, but injuries argued otherwise, making the thrilling 31-29 victory over the Stampeders in Week 11 all the sweeter.
Masoli was very solid. He went 27-for-35, 254 yards, a touchdown, and was clean. That’s about as good as a coach could ask for from someone who has been out of the spotlight for three years.
It was also an excellent demonstration of this group’s character. A couple of weeks prior they buzz-sawed the Stamps. Although Calgary fought much harder this time, Ottawa never backed down. RB Ryquell Armstead tore up the field with 120 yards and a major and WR Jaelon Acklin caught 94 yards to help Masoli out. This is a good-looking Redblacks outfit, making them the surprise of 2024 so far.