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CFL
Week 11
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Canadian Bacon: CFL Week 11 Analysis and predictions
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Calgary Stampeders at Edmonton Eskimos (+11, 54)
Less than a week after suffering a 52-5 beating at the hands of the Stampeders, the Eskimos must face once more their rivals from Alberta. This time it’s in front of their home crowd in Edmonton but it shouldn’t be any easier.
The Eskimos will be without two pillars: running back Arkee Whitlock (foot injury) and special team leading man Chris Ciezki.
The Stampeders come to Edmonton on a six-game winning streak and they’ve won their last five games against the Eskimos. On the bright side for Edmonton, kick returner Tristan Jackson will be back in action after spending nine weeks on the injury list.
The stats are lopsided against the Eskimos who have the worst offensive production in the CFL (167 points) and the most generous defense (305 points allowed). It’s quite the opposite for the Stampeders who boast the most explosive attacking unit (323 points) and the cheapest defense (182 points allowed).
Pick: Calgary
Montreal Alouettes at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-3, 52)
The Alouettes were stunned earlier this week when Walter Spencer, their top special teams player, was almost killed outside a bar in Montreal. A loss in Hamilton could cost the Alouettes first place in the East.
Adrian McPherson comes back from a knee injury to try and replace Anthony Calvillo, who’s still recovering from that nasty hit he took a few weeks ago. McPherson insists he’s in game shape and vows he will be able to run the ball at ease despite wearing a brace for precautionary reasons.
The Alouettes want to bounce back from a tough loss to B.C. in front of their Montreal fans but it won’t be an easy task against these TiCats. Hamilton renewed its confidence after two straight wins against the Toronto Argonauts.
Pick: Hamilton
Toronto Argonauts at B.C. Lions (-4.5, 48.5)
The Argonauts head into Vancouver without some their key players. Dominic Picard and Taylor Robertson will be the only two regular starters on offensive line for Toronto. The Argos will also be without star receiver Jeremaine Copeland (elbow) and Adriano Belli (foot) who has been one of their pillars on defense.
To have a shot at victory in this one, the Argonauts will need to QB Cleo Lemon and RB Cory Boyd to be as productive as they were earlier in the season. But for that to happen, the refurbished offensive line will need to play above expectations.
The Lions are a better team than their record indicates. Just as the Alouettes.
Pick: British Columbia
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 12
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+4, 56.5)
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, last in the East, suffered another blow on Labour Day when their starting QB Buck Pierce fell to another serious injury in a 27-23 loss to these Roughriders. Backup QB Steven Jyles is now the one who will try to stop a five-game losing streak.
In four starts this season, Jyles completed almost 63 percent of his pass attempts, gained 1322 yards through the air, threw eight touchdown passes and was intercepted only twice. He has the second-best QB rating in the CFL (104.1) right behind Anthony Calvillo of the Alouettes (111.6).
Grey Cup finalists last year, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have proved to be an enigma so far in 2010, mainly because of a lack of consistency on offense. After scoring tons of points in their first two games of the regular season against the Alouettes and the Lions, the Riders have had ups and downs with an offense that featured the best and the worst from QB Darian Durant.
Despite losing key players like John Chick, Stevie Baggs, Rey Williams and Eddie Davis during the offseason, the Riders’ stopper unit has been as reliable as last year. But this defense is not totally healthy.
Safety James Patrick, who leads the CFL for interceptions with seven, missed practice this week because of a knee injury that will most likely prevent him from playing on Sunday. Linebacker Daniel Francis is also injured but expected to play against the Bombers.
Pick: Saskatchewan
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Week 11
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Canadian Bacon: CFL Week 11 Analysis and predictions
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Calgary Stampeders at Edmonton Eskimos (+11, 54)
Less than a week after suffering a 52-5 beating at the hands of the Stampeders, the Eskimos must face once more their rivals from Alberta. This time it’s in front of their home crowd in Edmonton but it shouldn’t be any easier.
The Eskimos will be without two pillars: running back Arkee Whitlock (foot injury) and special team leading man Chris Ciezki.
The Stampeders come to Edmonton on a six-game winning streak and they’ve won their last five games against the Eskimos. On the bright side for Edmonton, kick returner Tristan Jackson will be back in action after spending nine weeks on the injury list.
The stats are lopsided against the Eskimos who have the worst offensive production in the CFL (167 points) and the most generous defense (305 points allowed). It’s quite the opposite for the Stampeders who boast the most explosive attacking unit (323 points) and the cheapest defense (182 points allowed).
Pick: Calgary
Montreal Alouettes at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-3, 52)
The Alouettes were stunned earlier this week when Walter Spencer, their top special teams player, was almost killed outside a bar in Montreal. A loss in Hamilton could cost the Alouettes first place in the East.
Adrian McPherson comes back from a knee injury to try and replace Anthony Calvillo, who’s still recovering from that nasty hit he took a few weeks ago. McPherson insists he’s in game shape and vows he will be able to run the ball at ease despite wearing a brace for precautionary reasons.
The Alouettes want to bounce back from a tough loss to B.C. in front of their Montreal fans but it won’t be an easy task against these TiCats. Hamilton renewed its confidence after two straight wins against the Toronto Argonauts.
Pick: Hamilton
Toronto Argonauts at B.C. Lions (-4.5, 48.5)
The Argonauts head into Vancouver without some their key players. Dominic Picard and Taylor Robertson will be the only two regular starters on offensive line for Toronto. The Argos will also be without star receiver Jeremaine Copeland (elbow) and Adriano Belli (foot) who has been one of their pillars on defense.
To have a shot at victory in this one, the Argonauts will need to QB Cleo Lemon and RB Cory Boyd to be as productive as they were earlier in the season. But for that to happen, the refurbished offensive line will need to play above expectations.
The Lions are a better team than their record indicates. Just as the Alouettes.
Pick: British Columbia
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 12
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+4, 56.5)
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, last in the East, suffered another blow on Labour Day when their starting QB Buck Pierce fell to another serious injury in a 27-23 loss to these Roughriders. Backup QB Steven Jyles is now the one who will try to stop a five-game losing streak.
In four starts this season, Jyles completed almost 63 percent of his pass attempts, gained 1322 yards through the air, threw eight touchdown passes and was intercepted only twice. He has the second-best QB rating in the CFL (104.1) right behind Anthony Calvillo of the Alouettes (111.6).
Grey Cup finalists last year, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have proved to be an enigma so far in 2010, mainly because of a lack of consistency on offense. After scoring tons of points in their first two games of the regular season against the Alouettes and the Lions, the Riders have had ups and downs with an offense that featured the best and the worst from QB Darian Durant.
Despite losing key players like John Chick, Stevie Baggs, Rey Williams and Eddie Davis during the offseason, the Riders’ stopper unit has been as reliable as last year. But this defense is not totally healthy.
Safety James Patrick, who leads the CFL for interceptions with seven, missed practice this week because of a knee injury that will most likely prevent him from playing on Sunday. Linebacker Daniel Francis is also injured but expected to play against the Bombers.
Pick: Saskatchewan
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