RedBlacks vs. Tiger-Cats Prediction: CFL Week 20 Point Spread, Odds
The Redblacks and Tiger-Cats will end the regular season with a home-and-home series that kicks off in Hamilton on Friday night. This is a massive game for both teams’ playoff hopes. The Ti-Cats can clinch a playoff spot with a win (and a Saskatchewan loss), while Ottawa needs to win their final two games and have the Roughriders lose out.
Hamilton is a 6-point favourite to win on the CFL odds, with a total of 49.5.
CFL Odds and Betting
The Tiger-Cats have dominated this head-to-head series, winning the last five games. The teams have only met once this season, a 25-23 Hamilton victory in Week 6. Dane Evans threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns for the Tabbies, while Caleb Evans (no relation) led the Redblacks with 203 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Ottawa is likely happy this is a road game as they’re 0-8 at home this season compared to 4-4 on the road. They’ve also been a great cover option on the road in 2022, going 6-2 ATS. These teams generally combine for low scoring games, with the total going Under in four of the Redblacks’ last five games against Hamilton.
The Ti-Cats have a much better shot at the playoffs than Ottawa and they come into this game with five wins in their last six home dates. They’re 4-1 ATS in their last five home games this season, but just 2-7 ATS in their last nine home games against the Redblacks. The total has gone Over in six of Hamilton’s last nine games.
Ottawa RedBlacks
Two key things need to happen for Ottawa to make the playoffs: the Redblacks need to win out and the Riders need to lose out. Ottawa nearly boosted their playoff hopes against Montreal last week, but ultimately lost their 10th straight home game. The Redblacks are winless in eight home dates this season and they have just one win in their last 22 games at TD Place. Quarterback Nick Arbuckle threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Als. Caleb Evans punched in a one-yard rushing touchdown, while Tevaun Smith and Siaosi Wilson each had touchdown receptions.
While Ottawa was hopeful receiver Jaelon Acklin (head/shoulder) would be able to return this week, he did not practice Wednesday and has been ruled out for Friday. Acklin joins a long list of Redblacks players who will miss the game. Running back William Powell (shoulder), defensive back Patrick Levels (ankle), defensive lineman Praise Martin-Oguike (ankle), offensive lineman Dino Boyd (shoulder) and receivers DeVonte Dedmon (quadricep) and Tevaun Smith (ribs) are all listed on the injury report as out for Friday’s game.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Last week was a huge victory for Hamilton as it was their first road win of the year and their first win in Calgary in 18 years. And bigger still, it kept their playoff hopes very alive. Quarterback Dane Evans threw for 244 yards and a touchdown and ran in another score on the ground. Tim White was the Tabbies’ top receiver with 106 yards and a touchdown. White caught the winning touchdown pass from Evans with just 11 seconds left in the game. The defence also came up big, picking off Calgary quarterback Jake Maier three times in the first half. Hamilton turned those three interceptions into 10 points.
The Tiger-Cats enter Friday’s matchup relatively healthy. Running back Wes Hills (quadricep), defensive back Ciante Evans (ankle) and linebacker Bailey Feltmate (forearm) were limited for Wednesday’s practice, but are all expected to play Friday.
OTT
HAM