Saskatchewan snapped an ugly seven-game winless skid with a 37-29 victory in Calgary last week and they now sit third in the West Division with a 6-7-1 record. The RedBlacks have lost two in a row following a 24-12 home loss against Montreal, but they’re still holding on to second in the East with an 8-5-1 record.

The Riders opened as 3.5-point favourites to win on the CFL odds, with the total set at 51.5.

CFL Odds and Betting

These teams met in Ottawa in Week 10, finishing with a rare 22-22 tie. A last-second 47-yard field goal by the RedBlacks sent the game into extra time, before the teams traded a touchdown and field goal each in OT. The teams split both meetings last year, while Saskatchewan has won five of nine all-time head-to-heads.

Ottawa is 8-6 against the spread this season, but keep in mind they’ve failed to cover in three of their last four games. Cooler weather brings out higher scoring games for the RedBlacks, as the Over has hit in seven of their last nine September contests.

Saskatchewan is also 8-6 ATS this season, but they haven’t covered in two of their last three games. The Riders have hit the Over in nine of 14 games in 2024 and seven of their last eight September games.

Ottawa RedBlacks

It was a tough outing for quarterback Dru Brown last week, who threw two interceptions in the first quarter before leaving the game with an ankle injury in the second quarter. Brown finished 8-of-16 for 69 yards. Jeremiah Masoli finished the game, going 17-of-26 for 218 yards and one touchdown. Masoli also had what looked like a sure touchdown pass, but it went straight through Dominique Rhymes hands. With Brown out this week, Masoli will take over starting quarterback duties after missing much of the last two years with injuries.

Brown isn’t the only injury concern for Ottawa right now as last week they also lost wide receiver Eli Stove (knee) and offensive lineman Drake Centers (shoulder), as well as defensive backs Ty Cranston (arm), Brandin Dandridge (knee) and Alonzo Addae (knee). Those offensive injuries won’t help a RedBlacks team that ranks seventh in the CFL in average points per game (24.8).

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Trevor Harris was efficient last week in Saskatchewan’s first win since July 19. Harris finished 16-of-18 for 248 yards and a touchdown. He also added 17 rushing yards and a score on the ground. Backup quarterback Shea Patterson ran in a couple of short-yardage TDs. Canadian receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker connected with Harris for the team’s only touchdown in the air and finished with 80 receiving yards, while KeeSean Johnson led the team with 90 receiving yards.

It was a great first showing for running back Ryquell Armstead in Week 16, who the Riders signed earlier this month after he was released by Ottawa. Armstead finished with a career-high 207 rushing yards on 25 carries, which is huge considering Saskatchewan entered last week with the worst-ranked rushing offence in the CFL. Despite only playing one game, Armstead trails A.J. Oulette by just 259 rushing yards for the team-lead. Expect another big performance this week against his former team.

CFL Prediction: Who Will Win RedBlacks vs. Roughriders?