Lions vs. Stampeders Prediction: CFL Week 2 Point Spread, Odds
After both teams opened the 2021 season with losses, the BC Lions will head to Calgary to take on the Stampeders at McMahon Stadium for a Week 2 matchup on Thursday. The Lions dropped a 33-29 decision to Saskatchewan in Week 1, while the Stamps fell 23-20 to Toronto.
Calgary is a 6.5-point favourite to win on the CFL odds, with a total of 48.5.
CFL Odds and Betting
These teams only met twice in 2019, with Calgary taking both games. The Over and Under each hit once in 2019. The Stamps have owned the meetings between these teams in recent years, winning nine of the last 10 games. The total has gone Under in six of the last seven games in this series.
The Lions may have only managed one win in their last 10 games against Calgary, but they have been able to go 5-4-1 against the spread in those games. BC entered the season with a win total set at 5.5 games. Heading into Week 2, they are tied with Ottawa for the longest Grey Cup odds at +1200.
With the Stamps’ dominating record against BC, it’s not surprising to see they lead almost all statistical categories between the teams, including total points, passing yards and rushing yards. Calgary opened the season with a win total of 7.5. After the first week of the regular season, their Grey Cup odds sit in the middle of the pack at +643.
BC Lions
It’s all about who will start under centre on Thursday. There might be a little gamesmanship going on as the Lions have said they expect to start Canadian rookie Nathan Rourke, but they haven’t ruled out Mike Reilly playing through an elbow injury. Reilly was supposed to start last week, but Rourke got the nod at the last minute. He finished 10-of-18 passing for 194 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Reilly started the second half, going 17-of-24 for 203 yards and one TD, but Rourke ultimately finished the game. Receiver Lucky Whitehead had five catches for 136 yards and one TD.
Both the offence and the defence struggled heavily in the first half in Week 1. BC trailed 31-0 at one point and finished the first half down by 25 points. The Lions were, however, able to outscore the Roughriders 20-1 in the second half. Obum Gwacham and Jordan Williams each recorded sacks on the day. T.J. Lee picked up BC’s lone interception.
Calgary Stampeders
After 21 months off, the rust was clearly there for Calgary in Week 1. They led 17-12 heading into the fourth quarter against Toronto, before blowing the lead and losing on a late field goal. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was 23-of-35 passing for 252 yards with one TD and one INT. It was a costly INT from Mitchell, who was picked off at the end of the fourth quarter to seal the loss for the Stamps.
Kamar Jorden caught all five passes thrown his way against the Argos, leading all Calgary receivers with 85 yards and one TD. Ka’Deem Carey ran for 75 yards on 18 carries. Shawn Lemon recorded the Stampeders only sack of the day.