Stampeders vs. Roughriders Prediction: CFL Week 20 Point Spread, Odds
The Roughriders return to action after enjoying a bye in the wake of a crucial 18-14 loss in Hamilton two weeks ago. That defeat combined with Hamilton’s 35-32 win in Calgary last week leaves the Riders’ bid for a crossover playoff berth in doubt considering the teams now sport identical 6-10-0 records and all tiebreakers favour the Tiger-Cats, who maintain control of third place in the East Division.
The Stampeders have gained momentum since opening as 1.5-point favourites on the CFL odds, climbing to 3-point chalk. However, it is the Roughriders who have garnered the support of 88 per cent of sports bettors. The total has also dipped dramatically since opening at 50.5, tumbling to 48.5.
CFL Odds and Betting
Saturday afternoon’s matchup at Mosaic Stadium marks the first meeting of the season between these West Division rivals, and the first date in a home-and-home series. The Stampeders took two of three from Saskatchewan in regular season action last year, but dropped a 20-17 decision when the Riders visited in mid-October, and subsequently fell 33-30 when these teams met in last year’s West semi-final. Overall, each of these teams have posted five wins over their past 10 clashes, ending an epic 3-17-0 run for the Stamps in head-to-head play. Home teams have claimed victory in just four of their past 11 matchups, and the OVER has paid out in four of their past six meetings.
Calgary Stampeders
The Stampeders have struggled at times to produce consistent results since seeing a season-opening four-game win streak snapped. But while the team has failed to win more than two straight since, they have been steady on the road, winning four of their past five, capped by a decisive 25-11 victory in BC in Week 16. However, they did neither themselves nor the Riders any favours in last week’s loss to Hamilton. In addition to marking the third time this season they have surrendered 35 or more points, last week’s contest proved to be a tough outing for Jake Maier. The Stamps’ newly minted starting quarterback connected on two touchdown passes, but also tossed three interceptions, lifting his total number of picks over his past two outings to five.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
In the wake of the Stampeders’ performance versus Hamilton, during which they were tagged with 110 yards in penalties, opportunity knocks for the Roughriders to kick start their moribund offence. The Riders have averaged just 17.8 points per game during their current five-game slide. However, the upside can be found in the team’s respectable defensive performances in their past two games. The Roughriders maintained leads well into the fourth quarter in their recent home dates with Winnipeg and Edmonton, which they ultimately lost by a combined margin of just four points.
But the question remains as to who will produce the necessary offence for Saskatchewan after the team mustered an average of just 13.5 points over their past two game, and scored an average of just 18 points per game while losing five straight on home turf? In an attempt to spark the offence, head coach Craig Dickerson has opted to bounce Cody Fajardo from his role as starting quarterback in favour of backup Mason Fine. The 25-year-old has seen very limited action, with his biggest contribution coming in relief in a 28-10 loss to the Lions in Week 11, in which he went 16-for-26 for 210 yards, one score, and one pick.
CGY
SSK