RedBlacks vs. Argonauts Prediction: CFL Week 8 Point Spread, Odds
The Toronto Argonauts look to end a three-game losing streak on Thursday night when they kick off Week 8 of the CFL season as 4-point home underdogs to Ottawa.
Betting Analysis
The CFL’s East Division is rather sorry again this season as Ottawa (4-2) is the only team with a winning record in it – every team in the West is at least .500 except for the BC Lions. At 1-5, Toronto is tied for the worst mark in the lead with Montreal. Only the Als have scored fewer points (92) than the Argos (95), who have allowed the most (179) in the CFL.
Early betting on the spread at Sports Interaction has a sizable lean on the Redblacks giving the four points as well as on the over the 48.5 points – that’s the lowest total of the week. In the race to 10 points, the Redblacks are -143 and Argos +108. To score first, Ottawa is -135 with a touchdown at +300. Toronto is -105 to take the first lead and a touchdown is +340. On the winning margin prop, Ottawa at 1-6 points is the +350 favourite with Toronto at 1-6 priced at +375.
The total has gone under in five straight meetings between the teams. Last year, Toronto won both in 2017 in very close games. They also played Week 3 of this preseason at Alumni Stadium in Guelph and Ottawa won 32-17.
Ottawa RedBlacks
Ottawa was a 6-point dog last week at Hamilton but won 21-15, it staying well under the total of 55. Lewis Ward had a game he’ll never forget in going 7-for-7 on field goals for all the Redblacks’ points. The seven made field goals were a franchise record, and Ward has now made 17 consecutive field goals. Trevor Harris completed 23 of 35 pass attempts for 228 yards, while Brad Sinopoli caught nine passes for 82 yards. Former No. 1 receiver Greg Ellingson had just three catches for 34 yards and has now been held under 50 yards in four straight. The Ottawa defence has held opponents to less than 30 points in every game this season. The Redblacks are 2-5 against the spread in their past seven following an ATS win.
Toronto Argonauts
The Argos are regressing. Since their 20-17 home win over Edmonton, they have lost by a point to the Eskimos, by 18 at home to Winnipeg and then 40-17 last week at the Blue Bombers. Quarterback James Franklin struggled again in Week 7 with three interceptions and is now 1-3 since taking over for the injured Ricky Ray as the starter with one touchdown throw and six picks.
Coach Marc Trestman has seen enough and will go with McLeod Bethel-Thompson on Thursday for his first CFL start. The 30-year-old has thrown just two career CFL passes. Bethel-Thompson signed with the Blue Bombers in September 2016 but was released without ever playing in a game. He had stints with a few NFL teams but never saw action in the regular season. The Argos are 6-18 ATS in their past 24 after a loss.
