Week 3 features another three contests out West and Toronto’s home opener. Once again the Saskatchewan Roughriders will end the week hosting an East Division team, this time the 1-0 Ottawa Redblacks.

Nik’s Picks is here for you to gain an edge on the lines throughout the 2021 CFL season. Check out this week’s CFL odds.

Edmonton Elks at BC Lions

CFL Odds and Point Spreads: BC -5, Over/under 46.5

For the first time this season there should be no guessing game around who the BC Lions are dressing under centre. Michael Reilly surprisingly started at Calgary in Week 2 and led the Lions to the first win of the season, throwing for 342 yards in the process. Now, BC’s ready to roll with Reilly — and the guessing game becomes which Edmonton team will they see?

The Elks starting 0-2 has been one of the league’s biggest surprises, especially since they’ve scored just one touchdown in two home games… and it came in garbage time.

Execution has completely faltered in Edmonton but on Thursday the Elks get it together in a defensive battle. Edmonton by a field goal.

CFL Prediction: Edmonton 20 BC 17

Best bet: Edmonton moneyline

🏈#CFL Weekly🏈

Week 3 starts Thursday night in Vancouver

Elks vs. Lions

The #Alouettes vs. Stampeders on Friday night

Two games on Saturday night #BlueBombers vs. #Argos & #RedBlacks vs. #Roughriders

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— Sports Interaction (@SIASport) August 19, 2021

Montreal Alouettes at Calgary Stampeders

CFL Odds and Point Spreads: Montreal -2.5 Over/under 45.5

Michael O’Connor’s first CFL start is the talk of Friday’s bout between the 1-0 Alouettes and 0-2 Stampeders. With Bo Levi Mitchell on the six-game injured list with a break in his leg, another opportunity for a Canadian quarterback has come in O’Connor.

That said, 0-3 is a serious reality for Calgary. Montreal trounced Edmonton in their season-opener behind the play of breakout quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. and feisty defence. The Als have one of the league’s most dynamic offences, pounding the rock with William Stanback or going air raid with Adams Jr. and his weapons. Oh, and their defence looks much improved.

Montreal takes another one on the road in Alberta, and it’s scary times in Calgary.

CFL Prediction: Montreal 29 Calgary 13

Best bet: Montreal -2.5

Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Toronto Argonauts

CFL Odds and Point Spreads: Winnipeg -7 Over/under 43.5

If the Toronto Argonauts jetted out of Winnipeg as quickly as possible, their nightmare followed them back East for round two. The Bombers controlled Week 2’s 20-7 win over the Argos for the entirety of the game, improving Zach Collaros’ record with Winnipeg to 6-0.

Quarterback controversy has begun in Toronto too. McLeod Bethel-Thompson got benched in Week 2 after a 354-yard game in Week 1, but may remain the starter for the Argos over Nick Arbuckle. Toronto’s run game actually got the better of Winnipeg in Week 2 and could be a huge factor again Saturday. At the end of the day, this one should come down to the turnover battle again — and if Collaros’ offence takes care of the football, Winnipeg’s almost unbeatable.

Bombers in a closer one.

CFL Prediction: Winnipeg 26 Toronto 21

Best bet: Toronto +6

Ottawa Redblacks at Saskatchewan Roughriders

CFL Odds and Point Spreads: Saskatchewan -11.5, Over/under 46.5

Ottawa is 1-0, says the CFL standings. But let’s not dismiss the Redblacks putting up 127 yards of offence in their lone game, and surrendering almost 450. Ottawa looked as outmatched in Week 1 as many expected but were literally hande– I mean found a way to get the two points.

The CFL is back to normal when it’s tough to win at Saskatchewan. The Riders are 2-0 and have played six phenomenal quarters of football, the other two featuring all kinds of fluke plays against them. The Riders look like one of the few CFL teams with their game together which is why Saturday night’s the first double-digit spread of the season and it’s in Saskatchewan’s favour.

Don’t let Ottawa’s record fool you. Saskatchewan will cruise here, a la Week 2.

CFL Prediction: Ottawa 9 Saskatchewan 34

Best bet: Saskatchewan -11.5

2021 Nik’s Picks:

Best bet record: 3-5

Moneyline record: 3-5