08/14/2008 - Toronto, Ontario (Sportsbook Betting Lines) -
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (2-5) AT WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (1-6)
DATE & TIME: Thursday, August 14, 8 p.m. (et).
GAME NOTES: It's not even the midpoint of the regular season and already the Winnipeg Blue Bombers find themselves in a must-win situation.
The Bombers find themselves last in the East Division standings and need to beat Hamilton in order to prevent falling two games behind the third-place Tiger-Cats.
Quarterback Kevin Glenn gets his first start in four games for the Bombers, whose lone win of the season came with backup Ryan Dinwiddie under center. Dinwiddie led Winnipeg to a 32-28 win over Calgary in his first career CFL regular season start but looked less than stellar in a 19-11 loss to Toronto and last week's 39-11 decision at the hands of Montreal.
Glenn should have both Terrance Edwards and Milt Stegall on the field this week. Also, Dominic Picard returns at center, which will help.
Should Winnipeg lose this game, the expectation is wholescale changes will occur as the Blue Bombers head into their bye week.
Hamilton, on the other hand, comes into this game following an impressive 45-21 win over the Toronto Argonauts.
Backup Richie Williams will make his third straight start at quarterback for Hamilton, replacing injured incumbent Casey Printers (thumb). Williams threw for 293 yards last week against Toronto, but also found the end zone on three touchdown passes, which just happen to be the Ticats' first TD receptions of the season.
Jojo Walker, replacing the injured Tony Miles, was Hamilton's leading receiver with five catches for 86 yards. Running back Terry Caulley, who started in place of Jesse Lumsden (ankle), rushed for 127 yards on 14 carries and had a touchdown.
More importantly, the Ticats didn't have any turnovers while forcing the Argos to turn the ball over four times.
The numbers: Winnipeg is 1-3 at home but 0-4 against East Division competition. Hamilton is 1-2 on the road and 2-2 against conference rivals.
Keys to the game: The Ticats go as their running game goes, and they showed last week against Toronto that Caulley is more than capable of carrying the load. Hamilton rolled up 210 yards rushing against Toronto, not a surprise really given the Argos came into the game last in the CFL in run yards allowed at more than 160 yards per game.
Hamilton leads the CFL in rushing, averaging more than 170 yards on the ground per game.
And Williams is a big part of that running attack, too. He rushed for 60 yards on eight carries against Toronto, using his mobility to get out of trouble whenever the pass rush got close.
But of more importance to Hamilton is that its offense plays better with Williams under center than it does with Printers. The unit scored 33 points in a loss to Montreal before exploding for 45 points against Toronto.
However, Winnipeg's offense is last in the CFL in scoring (17 points per game), second-last in total yards (348 per game) and last in rushing (64 yards per game). Hamilton counters with the league's last-ranked defense (417 yards per game) but the Bombers overworked unit is seventh (407 yards per game).
This should be a close game but Hamilton should have an edge with Williams.
Sportsbook Betting Lines Predicted Outcome: Hamilton 27, Winnipeg 25.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES (4-3) AT TORONTO ARGONAUTS (3-4)
DATE & TIME: Friday, August 15, 7:30 p.m. (et).
For the Toronto Argonauts, there's nowhere to go but up.
The Argos looked absolutely dismal in their 45-21 loss to Hamilton last week, especially in the second half when they were outscored 27-3. Toronto has looked terrible in the second half of its last three games, scoring a combined eight points over those six quarters.
Quarterback Kerry Joseph was 21-of-41 passing for 303 yards against Hamilton, but threw two interceptions. A lone bright spot for the Argos was Reggie McNeal, the club's No. 4 quarterback who was pressed into duty as a receiver due to injuries. McNeal had seven catches for 101 yards, both team highs.
But once again Toronto's stellar defense looked very vulnerable against the run, giving up over 200 yards on the ground to Hamilton, which was without its top tailback Jesse Lumsden.
And Montreal comes into the game with a stellar running back of its own. Avon Cobourne has run for over 500 yards this season and is threatening to become the first player in CFL history to accumulate 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.
However, it's quarterback Anthony Calvillo who makes the offense tick. Calvillo has been sensational this season, standing second in the CFL with 2,269 passing yards and first with 17 touchdowns. He has also thrown just five interceptions in 266 passing attempts.
And Calvillo and Co. have made it a habit this season of playing with the lead. The Alouettes have outscored their opposition 70-7 in the first quarter so far this season.
Kerry Watkins has been Calvillo's favorite target this season. Watkins is third overall in the CFL in receiving with 36 catches for 568 yards and six touchdowns.
Kicker Damon Duval has been stellar, too. He booted a career-high six field goals in last week's 39-11 win over Winnipeg and is 22-of-23 field goals attempted this year. He's also leading the CFL in scoring with 92 points.
Defensively, the Alouettes have been solid, allowing just 23.4 points per game.
The numbers: Montreal is 2-1 at home and 4-0 within the East Division. Toronto is 1-3 on the road and 2-2 against conference rivals.
Keys to the game: Despite his brilliance this season, Calvillo has traditionally had his share of difficulties against Toronto's defense. And the expectation is the Argos will play much better defensively this week after their abysmal performance against Hamilton.
But Toronto can't allow Montreal to surge ahead early because the Argos' defense hasn't done well trying to play catchup. Granted, Joseph was able to rally the troops for a come-from-behind win over Edmonton earlier this season, but overall the Double Blue hasn't consistently shown it can come back.
Montreal is attempting to represent the East as the Grey Cup host this year and that road will go through Toronto as this marks the first of three head- to-head matchups between the two teams.
There's little doubt the Argos will play better this week, but they have to in order to have any chance of challenging Montreal for top spot in the division.
Sportsbook Betting Lines Predicted Outcome: Montreal 25, Toronto 20.
Last week's record: 3-1; Season record: 10-18.
<< Balentien gives M's come-from-behind, 12-inning win over Angels
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wladimir Balentien hit the go-ahead three-run
homer in the 12th inning as the Seattle Mariners gutted out a 10-7 victory to
earn a two-game split with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Justin Speier (1-5)
<< Brewers extend winning streak to eight, crush Padres
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - CC Sabathia threw seven effective innings and
Corey Hart went 3-for-5 with three runs batted in to help Milwaukee tie a
season high with its eighth consecutive win, a 7-1 victory over San Diego.
The Bre
<< Garciaparra's homer lifts Dodgers over Phillies
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nomar Garciaparra smoked a line-drive, solo
home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a
dramatic 7-6, come-from-behind victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Dodgers
<< Zobrist, Rays edge A's
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ben Zobrist hit the go-ahead RBI double in the
seventh and the Rays took the second test of their three-game series against
the Athletics, 3-2, at McAfee Coliseum.
"(Zobrist)'s at bats have gotten better.
Diamondbacks aim to get on track in finale with Rockies >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Arizona Diamondbacks try to maintain at least a share
of the top spot in the National League West this afternoon when they conclude
a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
Arizona relinquished sol
Rolling Brewers hope to extend win streak against Padres >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Milwaukee Brewers try for their season-best ninth
straight win this afternoon, as they attempt to complete a three-game sweep of
the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
Milwaukee continued to roll on Wednesday, as CC Sabat
Boston's Matsuzaka goes for 14th win of season against Rangers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Daisuke Matsuzaka tries for his 14th win of the season this
evening, as the Boston Red Sox try and complete a three-game sweep of the
Texas Rangers at Fenway Park.
Matsuzaka, who won 15 games last season for the Red Sox, w
Pirates, Reds close out series at PNC >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of slumping young right-handers get together
tonight, when the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds meet at PNC Park in
the finale of a three-game series between cellar dwellers in the National
League
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers SPORTS TRASH TALK
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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