BC dropped their home opener in Week 3 in a 21-16 loss to Edmonton, while the Redblacks are travelling west to east too after falling 23-10 in Regina last Saturday. This week’s game will also mark the home debuts of head coach Paul LaPolice and quarterback Matt Nichols, a duo that’s had proven success back in Winnipeg.

CFL Odds and Betting

The Lions’ record reads 1-2 but from a betting perspective they are 2-1 against the spread while covering in both their road games. Ottawa’s gone 1-1 ATS, reflecting their actual record. When it comes to head-to-head, the Lions have covered and won in seven of their last 10 games against Ottawa.

The Lions are on a massive under stretch too, with the total going under in 11 of their last 13. Four of Ottawa’s last five games have gone under too, not to mention neither team is averaging more than 20 points on offence this season. BC’s offence almost ranks sixth with 331 net offence per game in 2021, and Ottawa dead last with 150.

Sports Interaction has the Lions as 2-point favourites to win on the CFL odds, with the over-under at 43.5.

BC Lions

The Lions haven’t brought much to the table in 2021. A healthy Michael Reilly still looks MOP legit, and B.C.’s defence is solid overall but it could be all for not, with protection issues creeping back up last Thursday. Reilly was only sacked three times in Week 3 but constant pressure held him to 128 passing yards and No. 1 and 2 receivers, Bryan Burnham and Lucky Whitehead, to a combined six catches for 63 yards.

The tide shifted when offensive tackle Joel Figueroa went down, and he did not practice on Tuesday due to his calf injury. Receiver Lemar Durant also missed Tuesday’s practice.

Ottawa RedBlacks

Defending the lowly Ottawa Redblacks is playing Devil’s advocate in the eyes of the public these days, but let’s do it. Ottawa’s a two-point underdog despite having exactly 300 yards of net offence and 820 yards against, of net offence in two games.

Here’s where LaPolice’s club has shown promise. Ottawa’s got a plus-one turnover ratio and it led to their Week 1 win. Second, they’re not a statistical outlier but rather a middle of the pack club in nearly all defensive categories aside from yards against. It’s even more impressive considering Ottawa’s offence is going two-and-out eight times per game. The Redblacks have also surrendered (and scored) a single touchdown this season, doing so in two Western road games. If anything, Ottawa can grind opponents out.

CFL Prediction: Who Will Win Lions vs. RedBlacks?