After beating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and moving closer to securing a home game in the playoffs, the British Columbia Lions are building momentum. Nathan Rourke is on the mend and the defense continues to play its heart out. Heading to Week 20, the outright CFL football odds still peg the Lions behind three teams, which could be a lucrative opportunity for their backers.
Let’s check the latest NFL picks, stats, injury reports and NFL predictions. We’ve plenty of NFL expert picks for you to consider.
Where CFL Teams Stand Heading into Week 20
The Lions’ win over Winnipeg sets them up nicely to finish with a better record than the Calgary Stampeders. With news of Rourke potentially returning before the playoffs, the team must be fired up. Now might be the time to bet online on BC.
1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (14-3)
- Last Week: 1
Dru Brown and Winnipeg’s backups played admirably against the Lions. They outgained them in yards and held on to the ball longer. But BC’s defense forced three costly turnovers as Brown threw two pick-sixes, including one in the fourth quarter. Winnipeg gets a well-timed bye before finishing its regular season with a rematch against BC.
Next: Oct. 28 vs BC Lions (11-5)
2. BC Lions (11-5)
- Last Week: 4
The Lions still deserve credit for beating Winnipeg’s reserve squad. These Bombers would still beat most teams in the league. The defense came in clutch with several takeaways while Vernon Adams and the offense stayed efficient. Now, BC can beat the destitute Elks and rematch the resting Bombers to clinch second place.
Next: Friday at Edmonton Elks (4-13)
FINAL: The BC Lions defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 40-32. pic.twitter.com/FW3qwE0fyd
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 16, 2022
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3. Calgary Stampeders (10-6)
- Last Week: 2
Losing to Hamilton puts Calgary in a precarious position. It will need to beat the desperate Roughriders twice and hope either Edmonton or Winnipeg’s backups beat BC. However, playing on the road can’t be too bad when the Stampeders are 6-2 there compared to 4-4 at home.
Next: Saturday at Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-10)
4. Toronto Argonauts (10-6)
- Last Week: 3
Toronto spotted Edmonton 13 points before rallying in the second half to extend the Elks’ losing skid at home. For the first time since Week 10, McLeod Bethel-Thompson did not turn the ball over, though it did take a while for the offense to get going.
Next: Saturday at Montreal Alouettes (8-8)
5. Montreal Alouettes (8-8)
- Last Week: 5
The Alouettes redeemed themselves against Ottawa to clinch a playoff spot. This also sets up their home-and-home series against Toronto to have more playoff implications. If Montreal can sweep the Argos, it will win the division and earn home-turf advantage.
Next: Saturday vs Toronto Argonauts (10-6)
6. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-10)
- Last Week: 7
By beating Calgary, the Tiger-Cats finally won a road game to improve to 1-7 away for the season. They have three of their last four games, with all three coming against the top three teams of the West. Now if Hamilton had better results against its own division …
Next: Friday vs Ottawa Redblacks (4-12)
7. Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-10)
- Last Week: 6
The Roughriders must be feeling the pressure with Hamilton continuing to win. Saskatchewan must now beat Calgary, a team they are only 2-7 against in its last nine home games. This team has not won since August and has lost five straight games at Mosaic Stadium.
Next: Saturday vs Calgary Stampeders (10-6)
8. Ottawa Redblacks (4-12)
- Last Week: 8
Ottawa put up a fight against Montreal in what can only be described as a “moral victory” for the team. The Redblacks can still qualify for the postseason if it sweeps Hamilton in its home-and-home series. The sportsbook will have Ottawa as an underdog on both fronts.
Next: Friday at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-10)
9. Edmonton Elks (4-13)
- Last Week: 9
Edmonton’s winless streak at home is now at 16 games. Taylor Cornelius and the offense teased a potential end to it, but the Elks once again found a way to lose. It gets one last shot this season when it hosts the surging Lions.
Next: Friday vs BC Lions (11-5)