It’s pride, not playoff positioning, that will be on the line when the Ti-Cats and Stampeders meet in Hamilton for the penultimate game of their respective 2024 seasons as both teams will almost assuredly finish last in their division. The Stamps dropped a third straight game with last week’s 23-18 home loss against provincial-rival Edmonton, while Hamilton was on a bye following a 31-10 Week 18 home loss against the Blue Bombers.

The Tiger-Cats opened as 2.5-point favourites to win on the CFL odds, with the total set at 51.5.

CFL Odds and Betting

After Hamilton swept the season series last year, Calgary picked up some revenge in a 32-24 Week 1 home win back in June. Stampeders kicker Rene Paredes was the hero, going a perfect 6-for-6 on field goals and contributing 20 of Calgary’s 32 points.

Things haven’t gone smoothly since Calgary’s first victory, however, as they enter Week 20 on an eight-game winless streak. Even more concerning when it comes to this week’s matchup, is the fact the Stampeders have lost all seven road games this season. At 4-11-1, the Stampeders are dead last in the CFL standings and at 7-9 against the spread, they’re one of the worst cover options.

Hamilton’s loss last week ended a four-game win streak that included impressive back-to-back road victories over Toronto and BC. The team doesn’t seem to care where they play as they are 3-5 SU both home and away in 2024. The Ti-Cats currently sit last in the East Division with a 6-10 record while going 7-9 ATS.

Calgary Stampeders

Quarterback Jake Maier was benched in favour of Matthew Shiltz last week, but it did nothing to help Calgary’s offensive woes. Shiltz completed just 18 of 33 pass attempts for 215 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was starting in place of Maier, who has thrown the third-most interceptions (14) in the CFL this year. The Stampeders are desperately searching for a way to fix an offence that ranks second-last in average total yards (366.6), third-last in passing yards (264.6) and dead last in points (22.7) per game.

It doesn’t get much better on defence, with Calgary averaging the second-most points allowed (29.6) per game this season. Ironically, only Hamilton has allowed more points (31.2). There is, however, a difference in their pass vs. rush defence. While the Stamps give up the most rushing yards per game (127.2), they actually rank third in passing yards allowed (265.2). That could be significant against Hamilton’s pass-heavy offence.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The Tiger-Cats late push for the playoffs fell short last week as they were officially eliminated from postseason contention for the first time in six seasons. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell didn’t have a great outing. The league’s leader in passing yards (4,576) and passing TDs (26), completed 15 of 28 pass attempts against Winnipeg, finishing with 217 yards, no TDs and two interceptions. Mitchell, who leads the CFL with 16 interceptions, has thrown multiple picks four times this season.

It’s pretty easy to see how Hamilton has approached their offence in 2024. The Ti-Cats average the least amount of rushing yards per game in the CFL (80.2), but they also average the most passing yards (318.9). Four receivers have racked up over 800 yards in the air, including Tim White (998), Shemar Bridges (933), Steven Dunbar (833) and Kiondre Smith (809). But, keep in mind Bridges’ season ended a couple week ago because of a quad injury.

CFL Prediction: Who Will Win Stampeders vs. Tiger-Cats?