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David Bastl
Roughriders vs. Blue Bombers Prediction: CFL Week 17 Point Spread, Odds
The Riders and the Bombers have a couple things in common as they open up week 17 of the CFL season Friday night in Winnipeg.
Both are coming off bye weeks and both are trying to regroup after week 15 losses. This will be the third and final regular season match up between these two teams as the Bombers will be looking for the season series sweep.
CFL Odds and Betting
The Roughriders enter this game Friday night on a three-game (Blue Bombers, Blue Bombers, Elks) losing streak. In fact, the team hasn’t registered a win in the month of September. The Green Riders are 6-8 on the season, fourth place in the West Division. The Roughriders are 1-4 against the spread in their last five meetings in Winnipeg.
Of note, with a Saskatchewan loss and a Calgary Stampeders win over the Toronto Argos means the Roughriders can only quality for the playoffs via crossover to the East Division
The Bombers were beaten soundly in their last game, Saturday, September 17 in Hamilton 48-31. It’s the most points that team has given up this season. The last time these two teams meet was back on September 10, where the Bombers handed the Riders a 54-20. Quarterback Zach Collaros threw for 273 yards and four touchdowns in that victory.
The Blue Bombers opened as 8.5-point favourites at Sports Interaction.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Roughriders are 3-3 on the road this season and 3-5 within the division.
The Roughriders suffered another blow to the backfield as running back Frankie Hickson is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a fractured wrist. Hickson was playing in place of starter Jamal Morrow, who was injured back in week 11. Expect Kienan LaFrance or Shaun Wilson to get an opportunity on Friday night.
Prop watch: Quarterback Cody Fajardo led the Riders in rushing in week 15 with 47 yards on six carries versus the Elks. He has 284 yards along the ground this season.
The Riders have two defenders ranked in the top five in the CFL. Darnell Sankey (83 tackles) is third overall while Larry Dean (82 tackles) is ranked fourth.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Blue Bombers are 5-1 on home turf this season and a perfect 7-0 against West Division opponents.
Despite allowing a season high 48 points against the Tiger-Cats, the defence is still ranked first overall in the CFL, allowing 3543.4 total yards per game.
Running back Brady Oliveira has 757 yards rushing this season. That is second only to Ka’Deem Carey of the Calgary Stampeders who has 857 yards. Rookie Receiver Dalton Schoen is just 12 yards away from 1000 on the season. His 10 touchdowns are tied for first among receivers alongside Lions receiver Dominique Rhymes.
Of note, with a Blue Bombers win Friday night or a Stampeders loss versus the Argos on Saturday, Winnipeg clinching a home playoff date.
SSK
WPG