The opening week of the CFL is behind us and it took no time at all for the drama to get started. Three of the four underdogs were victorious, reminding us that anything can happen in the CFL.
This week, Grey Cup contenders Winnipeg and B.C. hope to rebound from Week 1 disasters, while the Redblacks start their season on Thursday. Edmonton and Hamilton look to avoid a 0-2 start, while Calgary and Montreal try to remain perfect.
We’ll break down Thursday night’s matchup, but before we do, let’s dive into a couple of storylines coming out of last weekend.
Stay tuned for more game previews heading into this weekend and betting previews at Total Apex Bets.
Alouettes Defeat Blue Bombers in CFL Grey Cup Rematch
As I said, it was the week of the underdogs and it all started on opening night in Winnipeg.
The Montreal Alouettes defeated the Blue Bombers in the 2023 Grey Cup. Yet somehow, they were opening the CFL season in Winnipeg as 7.5-point underdogs instead of it being the other way around. It turns out that it didn’t matter.
Montreal QB Cody Fajardo was 20/28 with 254 yards, 2 TDs and a pick. Receiver Tyson Philpot caught 141 of those yards and both touchdowns.
The Alouettes’ defense only had two sacks but was outstanding forcing two lost fumbles, and an interception, and holding the Bombers to 33.3% on second down.
For Winnipeg, they’ve been to the Grey Cup four years in a row, so it’s hard to imagine they are overly worried. However, that was as awful an opening night as I can remember.
QB Zach Collaros was 20/33 for 209 yards, averaging only 6.3 yards per pass.
Perhaps more concerning, is the fact that they lost the reigning Most Outstanding Canadian RB Brady Oliveira to a knee injury. He will miss Thursday night’s game in Ottawa.
Argos Stun Lions in Comeback Win
Next, we move one province over, as the home-dog Argonauts beat the B.C. Lions at BMO Field 35-27 last Sunday.
Even with losing Chad Kelly to suspension, and 1/3 of their roster to CFL free agency, Toronto is still a very good team, and it was a little bizarre for them to be underdogs at home.
Maybe more bizarre than that, however, was how they won.
Part way through the second quarter, the Lions were mauling the Arogs 20-6. They could do no wrong, and the Argos could do nothing right. Cameron Dukes fumbled a ball that turned into six points, and the defense couldn’t stop B.C. from saving their lives.
Toronto brought the game to within four points before halftime and rode that momentum to a massive opening night win.
Dukes finished the game 21-27 for 254 yards and 3 touchdowns. He added 37 yards and another TD on the ground.
The Argos have an extra week to cherish the victory as they have a bye in Week 2.
For the Lions, their offensive production wasn’t perfect but it should have been good enough. QB Vernon Adams Jr. was 25/33 for 363 yards, two touchdowns, and 25 yards on the ground.
However, the O-line allowed big sacks at the wrong time, totaling six for the day.
Now that Week 1 is behind us, let’s look ahead to Thursday night’s affair.
Winnipeg(-6.5) at Ottawa
Winnipeg didn’t just lose against Montreal, they got dismantled. It’s hard to imagine a team with championship pedigree and expectations putting up a performance like that again. Especially against this Redblacks team.
Star running back Brady Oliveira is out with a knee injury, while receiver Kenny Lawler was placed on this six-game injured list this week.
The Bombers’ defense was decent against the Als when it came to allowing production. They allowed less than 100 yards on the ground and allowed 254 yards through the air while producing a pick.
However, a 50% second down rate will not cut it moving forward, and they will look to improve that this week.
For Ottawa, QB Dru Brown will make his first start as a Redblack. Brown backed up Zach Collaros in Winnipeg for the last three seasons.
Last year, Brown was 2-0 while starting, posting 983 yards and nine touchdowns across his appearances.
The Redblacks are beat up in the secondary, but the East Division’s Most Outstanding Player, Adarius Pickett, will be starting at strong-side linebacker, which is posed to give the Winnipeg offense some issues.
Rookie wide receiver Nick Mardner will be making his much-anticipated start for Ottawa.
This Blue Bombers defense knows Dru Brown very well, yet with the injuries to Winnipeg’s offense, I’m inclined to take Ottawa and the points.
Click here if you missed our full CFL 2024 season preview.
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About The Author
Marc Sautter is a self-proclaimed sports addict, with the NHL being his specialty. After being a sports fan from afar, Marc made a career change in his 30s to cover sports through journalism and podcasting. His daily NHL preview and betting show “Pucks Across Borders” airs every weekday morning. In addition to hockey, you can read his work on the CFL all summer on Total Apex Sports.
