Stampeders vs. Lions Prediction: CFL Week 16 Point Spread, Odds
Even without injured quarterback Nathan Rourke, the B.C. Lions found a way to win a tight game against Calgary last week, downing the Stamps 31-29 in overtime. The two teams will meet for the third and final time in the regular season on Saturday night in B.C.
The Lions are slim 1.5-point favourites to win on the CFL odds, with a total of 55.5.
CFL Odds and Betting
The Stamps and Lions have played two close games in Calgary this year. Before last week’s meeting, the season series opened in Week 10 with a 41-40 victory for B.C. The road team has travelled well in the all-time head-to-head series in recent years as the home side has lost the last six games.
If recent history is any indication, the Stampeders should have a good chance to win this game as they’re riding a five-game win streak in B.C. and they’re 5-2 straight up on the road this year. They’re also a much better cover option away from McMahon Stadium, going 6-1 against the spread on the road compared to 0-6 ATS at home. The total has gone Over in Calgary’s last five games against the Lions, so expect points to be put up on the board Saturday.
After starting the season 8-1 with Rourke under centre, the Lions have just one win in three games without the Canadian star. They’re an even 3-3 ATS at home and 5-1 ATS on the road. Dating back to last season, the total has gone Over in six of B.C.’s last nine home games.
Calgary Stampeders
Quarterback Jake Maier had a chance to keep Calgary alive in overtime last week, but couldn’t complete the two-point convert, dropping him to 2-2 since taking over starting QB duties from Bo Levi Mitchell. Maier finished the game 301 passing yards and three touchdowns. Malik Henry led all receivers in the game with 107 yards and a touchdown. Luther Hakunavanhu and Jalen Philpot also had receiving touchdowns. Ka’Deem Carey led the team with 61 rushing yards.
The Stamps badly need a win in Week 16 as they sit two points back of B.C. for second in the West Division and they have played one more game. One big issue Calgary needs to work on for Saturday is penalties. The Stampeders were assessed 128 penalty yards compared to 87 for the Lions. Another thing to watch for is bad blood spilling over from last week’s game. Calgary linebacker Cameron Judge and B.C. receiver Lucky Whitehead were in a heated altercation following the game and things have only appeared to escalate on social media.
UPDATE: Judge has received a one-game suspension for striking Whitehead in the head during the altercation and he will not appeal.
BC Lions
It was a triumphant first start for Vernon Adams Jr. last week as the recently acquired quarterback led his new team to a crucial road win. Adams finished with 294 yards, throwing no touchdowns or interceptions. He added another 32 yards on the ground. Bryan Burnham was B.C.’s top receiver with 100 yards on seven catches, while James Butler led the way on the ground with 83 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Backup QB Antonio Pipkin also rushed for a touchdown and added a two-point convert in overtime.
As mentioned, there was a heated altercation at the end of last week’s game. B.C.’s Whitehead accused Calgary’s Judge of sucker-punching him in the back of the head as the teams were leaving the field. There is no video of the actual punch, but there is video of a noticeably disoriented and woozy Whitehead following the incident. There’s been no indication if Whitehead is injured and he is expected to play on Saturday. Of course the team’s biggest injury loss is Rourke, who likely won’t return this year.
CGY
BC