3DownNation CFL picks straight-up & against the spread: Week 19

There are only three weeks left in the CFL regular season and this one brings plenty of intrigue as the Saskatchewan Roughriders look to wrap-up first place in the West Division, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes are still jockeying for first place in the East Division, and the Edmonton Elks are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Vancouver-based reporter J.C. Abbott remains in front for our straight-up picks, while Regina-based reporter Brendan McGuire has a strong lead in our picks against the spread. Below are our picks for Week 19 in the CFL.

Friday, October 10: Toronto Argonauts at Saskatchewan Roughriders (-10.5) at 9:00 p.m. EDT

The Roughriders can clinch first place in the West Division with a win this week but they’ll have to do so without Rolan Milligan Jr., the CFL’s reigning Most Outstanding Defensive Player, and 1,000-yard receiver Dohnte Meyers. The Argonauts, who will start Jarret Doege in place of the injured Nick Arbuckle, have already been eliminated from postseason contention and have made five changes to their starting lineup from last week. Perennial all-star linebacker Wynton McManis has been shut down for the season, giving way to second-year defender Isaac Darkangelo.

ABBOTT: Toronto is toast, but the Riders’ secondary could still get burnt.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Toronto.

BALLANTINE: This spread seems high for teams both playing out different ends of the proverbial string.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Toronto.

FILOSO: Forget about any issues the guys in green might have. Toronto won’t have their best offensive (Arbuckle) or defensive (McManis) playmakers.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

GASSON: The state of the Riders’ secondary concerns me but they should be able to hold it together enough this week. With that said, this spread seems big for an offence that’s struggling.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Toronto.

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Riders will want to secure the West Division this week, while the Argos are playing with Jarret Doege.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Toronto.

HODGE: The Roughriders should have no trouble covering this spread if Toronto keeps turning the ball over.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

HOSKINS: Toronto is checking out for next year and the Roughriders are pushing for the West Final.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

KLEIN: Saskatchewan should be able to get things on track with their offence, but this is a group that only has a couple blowout wins this season. I expect Toronto to keep it close.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

McGUIRE: The Riders have some pretty significant injuries in their secondary, which could be an equalizer. However, I still have a hard time seeing Jarret Doege or Tucker Horn putting up enough points to win.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Toronto.

THOMAS: Toronto’s injuries coupled with their struggles in the secondary will be too much to overcome. I never like double-digit spreads, but I won’t be shocked if Saskatchewan covers.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Toronto.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Saskatchewan 10, Toronto 0.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Toronto 6, Saskatchewan 4.

Saturday, October 11: Calgary Stampeders at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-3) at 3:00 p.m. EDT

The Stampeders are riding a four-game losing skid that has led head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson to question the execution of his players, though he remains pleased with their effort. Vernon Adams Jr. has thrown six interceptions over his last three starts for Calgary, over double his per-game average from his first 11 games of the season. The Tiger-Cats, meanwhile, are coming off an impressive win over the Argonauts that saw Bo Levi Mitchell and Julian Howsare earn weekly awards. Hamilton has already punched their ticket to the playoffs but is still looking to clinch first place in the East Division with the Montreal Alouettes on their tail.

ABBOTT: Whoever went back in time to bring the 2024 Calgary Stampeders into this playoff race doesn’t deserve their DeLorean.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.

BALLANTINE: Another week of Mauldin sliding into the Orimolade spot looks more comfortable and Bo doesn’t have Rourke’s mobility.

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.

FILOSO: It definitely feels like these are two teams heading in opposite directions.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.

GASSON: Hamilton is looking to close-in on first in the East Division, while Calgary is falling.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Stampeders need this one more and the emergency should lead to a win.

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.

HODGE: Until the Stampeders prove they can win without Folarin Orimolade, I’m out on them.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.

HOSKINS: The Tiger-Cats get back on track with Calgary still dealing with a slide. Mauldin helps but he’s not Flo.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.

KLEIN: Mitchell has a chance to add to the misery of his former team. I can’t imagine he lets it pass him by.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.

McGUIRE: I’m not seeing any signs of life from the Stampeders and Bo usually has a little extra for games against Calgary.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.

THOMAS: Calgary has been off the rails for a while and I don’t see them getting right in the Hammer.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Hamilton 8, Calgary 2.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Hamilton 8, Calgary 2.

Saturday, October 11: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Edmonton Elks (+3.5) at 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Blue Bombers are one of the CFL’s hottest teams, having most recently blown out the Tiger-Cats by a score of 40-3. Zach Collaros had his best performance of the season in the win, throwing for 367 yards and a touchdown, while Chris Streveler added three scores along the ground. The Elks have won five of their last eight games and covered the spread in nine of their last 10 matchups, though their playoff hopes are diminishing rapidly. If the team wants any chance of making the postseason, this is a must-win game — and they’d preferably win by at least 14 points to secure the season series.

ABBOTT: Let chaos reign.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

BALLANTINE: Edmonton has gotten better and better but this is where the buck stops.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

FILOSO: This is the game of the week. Historically, the Bombers are deadly coming off a bye, so I’ll take them in a close one.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Edmonton.

GASSON: Which Winnipeg will we see? The Elks are fighting to stay alive.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Elks need this one to have a reasonable shot at the playoffs, but the Blue Bombers are streaking.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Edmonton.

HODGE: The Elks are better than their record but Winnipeg is clicking in all three phases right now. The Blue Bombers take it by a field goal.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Edmonton.

HOSKINS: Mark Kilam has the Elks playing motivated football.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

KLEIN: Edmonton has been playing better as of late, so I expect them to keep it close. With that said, I can’t pick them to beat Winnipeg in a big game the Blue Bombers need, too.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Edmonton.

McGUIRE: This is the game of the week and should be a ring-a-ding-dong-dandy. I expect Fajardo to go down swinging but the Blue Bombers are getting it together and Mike O’Shea is 24-3 coming off bye weeks since 2016, including playoffs.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Edmonton.

THOMAS: The Elks have their backs against the wall, which gives me the sense they will be at their best. I expect this one to be decided in the final few minutes.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Winnipeg 6, Edmonton 4.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Edmonton 9, Winnipeg 1.

Monday, October 13: Ottawa Redblacks at Montreal Alouettes (-13.5) at 12:00 p.m. EDT

The Redblacks are already on the outside looking in as they were eliminated from postseason contention with last week’s loss to Saskatchewan. With the team in next-year country, it remains to be seen how young of a roster they will field in a possibly attempt to get a head start at next year. The Alouettes, meanwhile, have looked like a completely different team as of late with Davis Alexander under centre. The 26-year-old is 9-0 as a CFL starter dating back to last season and has won all five of his starts this year. There’s a reason this point spread is so lopsided.

ABBOTT: The fact that this game will be played on Thanksgiving is a national travesty.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Ottawa.

BALLANTINE: This game might be a Thanksgiving turkey, but there won’t be enough cranberry sauce to cover this spread.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Ottawa.

FILOSO: The team with more at stake gets the victory, but a hallmark of Bob Dyce’s time as head coach is that his team fights to the final whistle. There’s no way the Alouettes cover this spread.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Ottawa.

GASSON: I don’t think there’s much to say here.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Als should win, but the Redblacks won’t go down that easily.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Ottawa.

HODGE: This spread is massive but every advantage is pointing towards the Alouettes.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

HOSKINS: Alexander makes this game not close. Ottawa continues to struggle.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

KLEIN: With everything Montreal has dealt with this season, they aren’t in a spot to take their foot off the gas.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

McGUIRE: The Redblacks just want the season to end, while the Alouettes are peaking at just the right time. This matchup looks like a dog with fleas.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

THOMAS: One team knows they are done and the other is playing their best football. This shouldn’t be close.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Montreal 10, Ottawa 0.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Montreal 6, Ottawa 4.

2025 records (straight-up)

ABBOTT — 45-24

McGUIRE — 44-25

HOSKINS — 43-26

THOMAS — 43-26

HODGE — 42-27

BALLANTINE — 41-28

HERRERA-VERGARA — 41-28

KLEIN — 40-29

FILOSO — 35-34

GASSON — 35-34

2025 records (against the spread)

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