The Canadian Football League returns this coming Thursday with a full schedule: 18 games over 21 weeks. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the two-time defending Grey Cup champions, return as the CFL football odds’ favorite to do it again. Yet no CFL team has won three straight Grey Cups since Warren Moon’s Edmonton Elks back in the early ’80s.
There are new rules meant to improve the offense, which could be a boon to both the Bombers’ all-around attack and other teams’ more offense-oriented structures. But who’s contending for this 2022 season?
CFL 2022 Preview: Rating the Teams
Blue Bombers (+275)
- 2021 Record (Result): 11-3-0 (Won Grey Cup)
Ahead on the sportsbook’s table is none other than the champs themselves. The Bombers return with mostly the same core minus Andrew Harris. The star running back will be missed alongside Kenny Lawler at receiver. But Winnipeg did sign four-time All-Star Greg Ellingson and will once again be elite on both sides of the ball.
Roughriders (+450)
- 2021 Record (Result): 9-5-0 (Lost in Division Finals)
Saskatchewan finished with the third-fewest points in the league, which was a testament to its defense. However, this same defense lost a handful of key players, most notably Jonathan Woodard. The new rule changes could make Saskatchewan a much better offense but the defense could take a step back.
Argonauts (+550)
- 2021 Record (Result): 9-5-0 (Lost in Division Finals)
The Toronto Argonauts remain wild cards in the CFL. They made a surprise run last season thanks to going 6-0 in games decided by four points or fewer. Adding Harris from Winnipeg and Brandon Banks from Hamilton gives this team two more veterans who are hungry to prove they’ve still got it.
Tiger-Cats (+550)
- 2021 Record (Result): 8-6-0 (Lost in Grey Cup)
Runner-ups for two consecutive seasons, the Tiger-Cats will look to finally get over the hump without Banks and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Dane Evans carried the team in the playoffs and is rewarded with full responsibility of the QB duties. Like the Bombers, Hamilton also replaced its biggest losses so this team should still be a title threat.
Stampeders (+700)
- 2021 Record (Result): 8-6-0 (Lost in Division Semifinals)
The Stampeders were once a “lock” to bet online, similar to the NFL’s New England Patriots. But like New England, this franchise is transitioning. Bo Levi Mitchell has been banged up and will look to prove he’s still the CFL’s best quarterback. Calgary upgraded its offensive line, hoping that Mitchell does indeed return this team to the promised land.
Alouettes (+900)
- 2021 Record (Result): 7-7-0 (Lost in Division Semifinals)
A quarterback controversy is brewing in Montreal as Trevor Harris will compete with Vernon Adams Jr. for that spot. Maybe it works out for the Alouettes like it did for Evans and Masoli in Hamilton? But this aside, the Alouettes lost plenty of key contributors on defense. If its quarterbacking is anything but stellar, Montreal could once again be out of the postseason.
Lions (+1200)
- 2021 Record (Result): 5-9-0 (Missed playoffs)
Mike Reilly retired, leaving the Lions’ signal calling up to Canadian Nathan Rourke. The sophomore may be in for a rough season, but the front office has given him plenty of support by re-signing top receivers in Bryan Burnham and Lucky Whitehead. B.C. also bolstered the defense. If Rourke can continue to improve as the season goes on, this team may just contend.
Elks (+1400)
- 2021 Record (Result): 3-11-0 (Missed playoffs)
It is a new era in Edmonton as Victor Cui and Chris Jones now become the face of the management side of the Elks. On the field, Nick Arbuckle will be the team’s newest signal caller. The offensive line is solid and all signs point to this season being a bounce-back year for the Elks, though they will still have to fight to return to the postseason.
Redblacks (+1800)
- 2021 Record (Result): 3-11-0 (Missed playoffs)
At these odds, the Redblacks could just surprise a lot of folks. This is a franchise that has done one-season turnarounds. Paul LaPolice is still the coach and Masoli could be to this team what Henry Burris was in their Grey Cup runs. Ottawa upgraded its rosters — mainly its defense — at Montreal’s expense. Improving on its 2021 record should be the minimum for this team.
