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Edgar Chaput
Tiger-Cats vs. RedBlacks Prediction: CFL Week 14 Point Spread, Odds
The Ottawa RedBlacks used Labour Day weekend like most people do: taking time off. It was their bye week. Now they enter the battlefield again, this time with a date at TD Place on Friday for a game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The latter got blasted 41-28 at home on Monday by their arch-nemesis, the Toronto Argonauts.
As per our CFL odds, it’s the RedBlacks who currently sit as -3.5 favourites.
CFL Odds and Betting
This Week 14 battle is of the utmost importance for both clubs. The nature of the CFL is so that even with win-loss tallies as mediocre as theirs (Ottawa is 3-8 and Hamilton is 4-7), neither is out of the playoff race.
If recent history is anything to go by, the Ticats have a considerable advantage here. Hamilton has claimed the last nine meetings between the sides. Two things should be pointed out. First, the last five tote-à-têtes have been decided by a touchdown or less – dating back to last season. Second, all streaks come to an end, and nine consecutive wins is an incredibly long streak.
Hamilton hasn’t lit it up ATS this year, as they are 4-7 in that category. Furthermore, handling the spread in recent weeks for the Tiger-Cats has been tough, as they’re only 2-4 in their last six opportunities. Fun fact, the Ticats have covered their last three road games, including one in Ottawa on July 28.
The host RedBlacks have not impressed much against the spread this season either, having compiled only a 4-7 record. Four of the previous five spreads were not covered, although they did complete the task in their last home game against the Alouettes despite losing outright. The over is 6-5 so far on the season.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Ottawa’s opponent Friday Night is also searching for answers these days. The Tiger-Cats worked on Labour Day but didn’t merit any overtime bonus based on the product on the field.
The Toronto Argonauts arrived in town for the annual classic and performed a smash-and-grab job. It was a beautiful sunny day, except for clouds hanging over the Hamilton sideline. The second quarter hadn’t begun and the visitors were up 17-0. From that point onward the Tiger-Cats put up more fight but it was too little too late. They earned more first downs (22 to 19) and more passing yards (269 to 227), but when one is down by three scores before halftime, the quarterback is expected to air it out a bit more. Honestly, it was probably one of Taylor Powell better games, if only by the numbers (296 yards, three TDs, one INT). WR Tim White did his best to help the cause, corralling eight targets for 110 yards and a TD. The reality is that Hamilton was grossly outclassed by their oldest rival.
Ottawa RedBlacks
In this week’s CFL Power Rankings, we mentioned that whatever extra oomph QB Dustin Crum provided Ottawa earlier this season may be wearing off. The RedBlacks have fallen in five consecutive contests. Clearly, a bye week was needed to make some adjustments.
Prior to the break, the team suffered the ignominious fate being the first team in 23 games to visit the Edmonton Elks and lose. These things happen, but the 30-20 defeat put the spotlight on some of this club’s deficiencies. It’s true that Tre Ford is a new, exciting quarterback, but allowing him to throw for over 300 yards while Ottawa’s guy has yet another mediocre outing (172 yards) was a big issue. Speaking of nagging problems, it was yet another contest in which Ottawa sleepwalked through the first half before mounting somewhat of a comeback to make the game interesting late.
RB Devonte Williams had a respectable game on the ground (84 yards, one touchdown) and the defensive line put some pressure on Edmonton’s QB on a few occasions, but overall, it was a poor performance.
HAM
OTT