The week finishes in Saskatchewan with two Grey Cup favourites, the Roughriders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, clashing at New Mosaic Stadium. Nik’s Picks is here for you to gain on edge on the lines throughout the 2021 CFL season.

BC Lions at Calgary Stampeders

CFL Odds and Point Spreads: Calgary -6.5, Over/under 48.5

A healthy Michael Reilly playing with two good elbows makes BC a tempting underdog, but that’s not the case here. Honestly, who knows if Reilly will play Thursday night — and that includes the Lions. Rookie Canadian pivot Nathan Rourke played well overall during BC’s Week 1’s QB debacle, but only found his footing after going down 31-0. If the same type of hole forms Thursday night, Bo Levi Mitchell and the winless Stamps won’t give it up.

Calgary didn’t look too sharp on offence in Week 1 and they likely won’t against an underrated Lions’ defence either, but don’t be counting on countless circus catches to give the Lions a chance. The Stamps should be hungry for victory at home, again, and this time come through.

BC 16 Calgary 21

Best bet: Under 48.5

Toronto Argonauts at Winnipeg Blue Bombers

CFL Odds and Point Spreads: Winnipeg -6, Over/under 47.5

McLeod Bethel-Thompson is rightfully Toronto’s starting quarterback in Week 2 after a league-best 354 passing yards in a Week 1 comeback win. Ricky Collins Jr., Henoc Muamba, and Jeff Richards all had strong showings in their Argos debuts too. Now they visit the defending champion Bombers, who throttled Hamilton in Week 1.

Someone’s losing their first game of the season Friday, and it’s likely whoever is less careful with the football. The turnover game has been critical ever since Zach Collaros arrived in Winnipeg, while takeaways both got Toronto a chance to win and sealed their win Saturday.

Despite their injuries, Winnipeg looks impressive behind a Brady Oliveira rushing attack and ferocious defensive front. Until dethroned, Winnipeg is the play. Bombers squeak it out.

Toronto 22 Winnipeg 25

Best bet: Toronto +6

Montreal Alouettes at Edmonton Elks

CFL Odds and Point Spreads: Edmonton -3.5, Over/under 49

Don’t fool yourself with Edmonton’s 0-1 record. Check nearly every team statistical category (net offence, second down conversion, first downs, sacks, two-and-outs forced, opponents’ yard per play) and the Elks are atop of it. If Trevor Harris and other offensive players can clean up the egregious mental errors, Edmonton is easily 1-0.

Then there’s Montreal, the lone CFL team yet to hit the field for game day in the past 600 days. Vernon Adams Jr. and William Stanback should both be among the league’s top passers and rushers respectively, but question marks remain on a defence that held the Als back in 2019.

Harris has made a career of carving up Montreal and until Barron Miles’ defence proves otherwise there’s no reason to believe Harris won’t continue his rampage. Elks grab a dub.

Montreal 20 Edmonton 33

Best bet: Elks -3.5

Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Saskatchewan Roughriders

CFL Odds and Point Spreads: Saskatchewan -1.5, Over/under 48

To begin the week, the following Ti-Cats who missed Week 1 are practising: Tunde Adeleke, Cariel Brooks, Don Jackson, Ted Laurent, and Chris Van Zeyl. If all five can play Saturday, Hamilton should perform much better. Offence is the number one concern for Hamilton after a total of 280 yards in Week 1. Good thing is, Saskatchewan gave up 410 last week.

The Roughriders almost blew a 31-point lead last Friday, which also means they were clicking right out the gate enough to get a four-score lead. Jason Maas’ offence looked undeniable in the first half only to string up several two-and-outs and allow BC to climb back. Which offence will show up Saturday? Are the Ti-Cats going to start out 0-2? Expect fireworks.

Hamilton 30 Saskatchewan 25

Best bet: Over 48

2021 Nik’s Picks:

Best bet record: 2-2

Moneyline record: 2-2