Week 8 CFL Picks, Odds & Predictions: Can Winnipeg Blue Bombers Find a Way to Win?

Our CLF expert breaks down this week’s slate of games below! Find out the picks OddsJam’s own @RandallKBets is eyeing.

CFL Week 8 Predictions

Montreal Alouettes vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats Betting Preview

Thursday, July 28 | 7:30 p.m. ET

Hamilton is coming off of a game last week in BC that the Tiger-Cats probably should have won. The Tiger-Cats missed a field goal before halftime and ended up having to go for it on third down late in the game when a field goal would have given them the lead.

The game this week is pivotal for both of these teams as they are battling for the second spot in the East. Meanwhile, Montreal is coming off of an impressive 40-33 win last week in Ottawa. I still believe this Hamilton team has the talent to come out of the East, but if the Tiger-Cats are going to do so, it will have to start this week.

If the Tiger-Cats can get a win this week, they will play Toronto next week, who currently sits in first place. Quarterback Dane Evans looked much more comfortable last week on the road in BC and Hamilton was able to slow down Nathan Rourke, which has been something most teams have struggled to do this year.

My power ratings have Hamilton as a 4-point favorite this week. This line opened up at Hamilton -2.5 and has now been bet up to Hamilton -3. If I had to make a pick in this game, I would lean Hamilton -145 on the moneyline at Caesars.

Lean: Tiger-Cats Moneyline | -145 at Caesars

BC Lions vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders Betting Preview 

Friday, July 29 | 9 p.m. ET

These are two teams that appear to be going in opposite directions. The Roughriders got off to a great start, but with an injury to QB Cody Fajardo, the Roughriders’ season seems to be heading in the wrong direction.

The BC Lions got back on track last week with a 17-12 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. This will only be the second road game for QB Nathan Rourke and Saskatchewan is not an easy place to play.

However, it looks highly unlikely that QB Cody Fajardo will be playing in this game, so I think that makes things a little easier for BC here.

The Roughriders defense has been great at times this year, but in the last two games, have allowed a lot of yards through the air. This could be a recipe for disaster with Rourke and Lucky Whitehead coming to town.

I would expect the Saskatchewan defense to get things back in order, which would make mean lean to taking under 49.5 points at BetMGM. However, I will be passing on this game. If Fajardo was going to play, my power ratings had Saskatchewan -2.5, but with him out, the line is about where I would have expected it to be.  

Lean: Under 49.5 | -120 at BetMGM

Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Calgary Stampeders Betting Preview

Saturday, July 30  | 7 p.m. ET

This is the most anticipated matchup of the week. We say it every week, but undefeated Winnipeg is back in action. This will be the second road game in a row for Winnipeg and Calgary would love to knock them off and hand them their first loss of the season.

These two teams played a couple of weeks ago and Winnipeg won 26-19. Calgary and QB Bo Levi Mitchell will give their best effort this week to knock off the back-to-back champs.

My power ratings for this game had Winnipeg at -3. I thought this team was overvalued to start the year, but now I think they are undervalued for some reason. This line opened Calgary -1.5 and has pretty well remained there.

I like the Blue Bombers at +1 at -110 at Caesars here. I will not be playing this game, but if Winnipeg can find a way to win, I will have my biggest bet of the CFL year in the game next week at Montreal. Stay tuned!

Lean: Blue Bombers +1 | -110 at Caesars

Ottawa Redblacks vs. Toronto Argonauts Betting Preview

Sunday, July 31 | 5 p.m. ET

The Argonauts have been playing very well in recent weeks. QB McLeod Bethel Thompson and RB Andrew Harris have been leading the Argos and have been the key in their recent victories. 

Ottawa comes into this game winless on the season. A loss here would likely eliminate any chances the Redblacks have of making the playoffs in the East.

I normally like to look at teams that are in a must-win scenario, but this Ottawa team has really disappointed this year. And with no QB Jeremiah Masoli, who has been out for a couple of weeks, the Redblacks are probably going to struggle again this week. 

Harris is coming off another 100-yard rushing game and the Argos are going to look to put separation between themselves and the Alouettes and Tiger-Cats in the East. My power ratings have the Argos -7 in this game.

This line opened at Argos -4 and is up to 5. I do like the Argos in this spot, but this will not be an official play for me this week.

Lean: Argos -5 | -110 at Caesars