Week 10 opened up with one of the strangest football games which saw Saskatchewan and Ottawa head into the 4th quarter in a low-scoring game with Ottawa leading 7-3. The game would go one to end in a tie 22-22 after 2 overtime periods which saw the game extended twice due to penalties seen from the command center sparking controversy.
Predictions: CFL News Hub Writers’ Week 11 Picks
The Crown Holder and the Court Jester
Crown Holder 👑 – The Montreal Alouettes defended the Crown as they defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33-23 at home. Montreal will look to defend the Crown in week 11 on the road against Saskatchewan.
Court Jester 🃏 – The Saskatchewan Roughriders remained the Court Jester after tying the Ottawa RedBlacks 22-22 in week 10. They will look to pass the title onto Montreal at home on Friday.
If a team defeats the Crown Holder they steal the Crown and become the new Crown Holder.
If a team loses to the Court Jester they become the new Court Jester thus freeing the previous team from being the Court Jester.
#1 Montreal Alouettes (8-1)👑
Previous Rank: 1
Week 1: Defeated Winnipeg on the road 27-12.
Week 2: Defeated Edmonton on the road 23-20.
Week 3: Defeated Ottawa at home 47-21.
Week 4: Defeated Toronto on the road 30-20.
Week 5: Defeated Calgary at home 30-26.
Week 6: Lost to Toronto at home 18-37.
Week 7: Bye week.
Week 8: Defeated Saskatchewan at home 20-16.
Week 9: Defeated Hamilton on the road 33-16.
Week 10: Defeated Hamilton at home 33-23.
The Montreal Alouettes continued to set the standard as quarterback Davis Alexander led the team to a 33-23 victory at home in what was his 2nd career CFL start. Alexander completed 17 of his 24 passes for 247 yards and 2 touchdowns. Charleston Rambo led the team in receiving as he caught 6 of his 8 targets for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns. Shedler Fervius had the longest catch of his pro career thus far as he showed off an ability to YAC it up on a 48-yard catch. On the ground, Walter Fletcher rushed 8 times for 53 yards, 6.6 yards per carry.
Linebacker Darnell Sankey made a significant impact on the game early on as he forced a fumble that Montreal recovered on the third play of the game. On Hamilton’s next possession, Sankey picked off Bo Levi Mitchell who was subsequently replaced by Taylor Powell for the remainder of the game. It was another game in which safety Mar-Antoine Dequoy did not see a reception come his way and broke up one of the 2 targets that came his way. Linebacker Tyrice Beverette and defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson both recorded a sack.
Montreal Alouettes (8-1) Week 11 Preview vs Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-3-1): Prediction, Depth Chart, Injuries, Odds
Week 11: Visiting Saskatchewan on Friday.
#2 Ottawa RedBlacks (5-2-1)
Previous Rank: 2
Week 1: Bye Week
Week 2: Defeated Winnipeg at home 23-19.
Week 3: Lost to Montreal on the road 21-47.
Week 4: Defeated Hamilton at home 24-22.
Week 5: Lost to Winnipeg on the road 16-25.
Week 6: Defeated Edmonton on the road 37-34
Week 7: Defeated Edmonton at home 20-14.
Week 8: Defeated Calgary at home 33-6.
Week 9: Bye Week.
Week 10: Tied Saskatchewan at home 22-22 after double overtime.
The RedBlacks finished their week 10 matchup in a rare fashion as the game ended in a 22-22 tie after 2 overtimes were not enough to break the tie. It was a peculiar match with some controversy as there were 2 instances in overtime in which the game was extended after a video review from the command center found a penalty on a play that would have otherwise been the final play of the game. The final play of the game saw Ottawa take a field goal to settle for a tie from the 7-yard line rather than try to score a touchdown and risk losing the game on 3rd and goal.
Dustin Crum completed 21 of his 32 passes for 211 yards with 1 interception after he came in to relieve Dru Brown who left the game early due to injury. Crum used his legs effectively rushing 9 times for 72 yards and a touchdown. Brown completed 6 of his 9 passes for 55 yards prior to leaving the game. Dominique Rhymes led the team in receiving with 5 catches for 72 yards.
On defense, Deandre Lamont led the team in tackles with 8. DB Adarius Pickett recorded a sack. 3 players recorded an interception for Ottawa which came from Alijah McGhee, Jovan Santos-Knox, and Alonzo Addae.
Calgary Stampeders (4-5) Week 11 Preview vs Ottawa Redblacks (5-2-1): Prediction, Depth Chart, Injuries, Odds by Mark Perry
Week 11: Visiting Calgary on Thursday
#3 Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-3-1) 🃏
Previous Rank: 3
Week 1: Defeated Edmonton on the road 29-21.
Week 2: Defeated Hamilton on the road 33-30.
Week 3: Defeated Hamilton at home 36-20.
Week 4: Bye week.
Week 5: Defeated Toronto at home 30-20.
Week 6: Lost to BC on the road 20-35
Week 7: Defeated Winnipeg at home 19-9.
Week 8: Lost to Montreal on the road 16-20.
Week 9: Lost to Edmonton at home 31-42.
Week 10: Tied Ottawa on the road 22-22 after double overtime.
Week 10 was a poor outing for Saskatchewan offensively until the 4th quarter. Heading into the 4th quarter Shea Patterson had 3 interceptions without a touchdown pass. Despite the discouraging offensive output of only 3 points over the first 3 quarters the Riders battle back to put up 10 points in the 4th quarter and 9 in overtime. Patterson finished the game having completed 30 of his 49 passes for 299 yards and 2 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. Dhonte Meyers caught 8 passes to lead the team in yards with 101. Shawn Bane Jr. and Samuel Emilus both had 8 receptions and a touchdown with Bane having 90 yards and Emilus with 56. On the ground, Frankie Hickson rushed for 23 yards on 12 carries, 1.9 yards per carry. A concern for Saskatchewan is the fact that they have the lowest average yards per rush in the league.
On defense Adam Auclair led the team in tackles with 9 and Amari Henderson had 8. 5 different Riders had a sack which saw contributions from Micah Johnson, CJ Avery, Nelson Lokombo, Malik Carney, and Bryan Cox Jr. Rolan Milligan recorded an interception and leads the league in interceptions with 6. Both Ottawa and Saskatchewan saw a lot of success from their run defense in the game as Ottawa’s RB Ryquell Armstead was limited to 37 yards on 13 carries, 2.8 yards per carry.
Maintaining first in the West will not be an easy task for Saskatchewan as currently, they have the hardest remaining strength of schedule as their upcoming opponents have won 55% of their games.
Week 11: Hosting Montreal on Friday.
#4 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-6)
Previous Rank: 4
Week 1: Lost to Montreal at home 12-27.
Week 2: Lost to Ottawa on the road 19-23.
Week 3: Lost to BC at home 24-26.
Week 4: Lost to Calgary on the road in overtime 19-22.
Week 5: Defeated Ottawa at home 25-16.
Week 6: Defeated Calgary at home 41-37.
Week 7: Lost to Saskatchewan on the road 9-19.
Week 8: Lost on the road to Toronto 14-16 in overtime.
Week 9: Defeated BC at home 25-0.
Week 10: Bye Week.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were the last CFL team to receive a bye week and will be heading to BC on Sunday. Despite starting the season with a 4 game-losing streak they find themselves just 1 game out of a playoff spot. Based on the record of their opponents, Winnipeg has the 2nd easiest strength of schedule for the rest of the season as their combined opponents have won 46% of their games.
Bombers vs Lions: A Different Chapter by Don Cruickshank
Week 11: Visiting BC on Sunday.
#5 Toronto Argonauts (5-4)
Previous Rank: 7
Week 1: Defeated BC at home 35-27.
Week 2: Bye week.
Week 3: Defeated Edmonton at home 39-36.
Week 4: Lost to Montreal at home 20-30.
Week 5: Lost to Saskatchewan 23-30.
Week 6: Defeated Montreal on the road 37-18.
Week 7: Lost to Hamilton on the road 27-24.
Week 8: Defeated Winnipeg at home 16-14 in overtime.
Week 9: Lost to Calgary on the road 23-27.
Week 10: Defeated Calgary at home 39-25.
The Toronto Argonauts exacted their revenge against the Stampeders at home in a commanding 39-25 victory after losing 23-27 to them in the week prior. Nick Arbuckle got the start at quarterback and completed 18 of his 26 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown with 1 interception. Makai Polk led the team in receiving with 4 catches for 50 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, it was another strong day for Ka’Deem Carey as he rushed 13 times for 89 yards and a touchdown, 6.8 yards per carry. Toronto currently has the 2nd most points at 256 and is 2nd in yards per rush at 5.5. Janarion Grant added a special teams score with an 86-yard touchdown on a punt return in the third quarter.
Fraser Sopik and Royce Metchie led the team in tackles with 7. Robert Priester, Folarin Orimolade, and Ralph Holley all had a sack. DaShaun Amos recorded the interception.
Week 11: Bye week.
#6 Calgary Stampeders (4-5)
Previous Rank: 6
Week 1: Defeated Hamilton at home 32-24.
Week 2: Lost to BC on the road 17-26.
Week 3: Bye Week.
Week 4: Defeated Winnipeg at home in overtime 22-19.
Week 5: Lost to Montreal on the road 26-30.
Week 6: Lost to Winnipeg on the road 37-41
Week 7: Defeated BC at home 25-24.
Week 8: Lost to Ottawa on the road 6-33.
Week 9: Defeated Toronto at home 27-23.
Week 10: Lost to Toronto on the road 25-39.
Calgary had a 15 to 7 lead entering halftime but was outscored 32 to 10 in the 4th quarter to fall 25-39 to Toronto in week 10. Jake Maier completed 33 of his 45 passes for 373 yards and a touchdown with 1 interception. On the ground, Peyton Logan rushed 11 times for 61 yards and a touchdown, 5.5 yards per carry. Reggie Begelton led the team in receiving as he caught 8 passes for 104 yards. Clark Barnes had 4 receptions for 74 yards.
Bentlee Sanders and Demerio Houston tied for a team-leading 5 tackles in the loss. Houston had his 4th interception of the season and is currently 2nd in the league in that category. Josiah Coatney had the lone sack for Calgary.
With how tight the West playoff race is shaping up it will be very important for Calgary to get back to .500 this week as they host Ottawa on Thursday.
Calgary Stampeders (4-5) Week 11 Preview vs Ottawa Redblacks (5-2-1): Prediction, Depth Chart, Injuries, Odds by Mark Perry
Week 11: Hosting Ottawa on Thursday.
#7 B.C. Lions (5-4)
Previous Rank: 5
Week 1: Lost to Toronto on the road 27-35.
Week 2: Defeated Calgary at home 26-17.
Week 3: Defeated Winnipeg on the road 26-24.
Week 4: Defeated Edmonton at home 24-21.
Week 5: Defeated Hamilton on the road 44-28.
Week 6: Defeated Saskatchewan at home 35-20.
Week 7: Lost to Calgary on the road 24-25.
Week 8: Bye week.
Week 9: Lost to Winnipeg on the road 0-25.
Week 10: Lost to Edmonton on the road 16-33.
It’s been a season of ups and downs for BC. After losing the season opener on the road the Lions went on a 5-game winning streak before their 3-game losing slide began. Heading into week 9 quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. was on pace to have the third most passing yards in a CFL season. However, week 9 saw Adams Jr. injured and his status is now week to week following the 0-25 loss to Winnipeg. Last week saw the Lions lose by 3 scores for the 2nd week in a row as they lost in Edmonton 16-33.
Jake Dolegala got the start at quarterback and completed 14 of his 23 passes for 146 yards before he was replaced with Chase Brice late in the game with the result already out of reach. Brice completed all 4 of his passes for 41 yards which came in the final 3 minutes. Keon Hatcher led the team in receiving with 4 catches for 62 yards in what was his second game of the season. On the ground, William Stanback rushed 13 times for 87 yards, a 6.7 average. Fullback David Mackie rushed 3 times for 13 yards and a touchdown. Despite the success on the ground, BC diverted away from running the football as we have seen many times in the past as Stanback rushed 6 times in the first quarter and had 0 in the 4th quarter despite it being a close game going into the 4th quarter with BC trailing 16-19.
On defense, T.J. Lee led the team in tackles with 8. Both Sione Teuhema and Christian Covington had a sack. Chianti Evans recorded his 2nd interception of the season.
BC made waves on Monday when they announced they signed quarterback Nathan Rourke. While this greatly improves them as a football team I am not taking it into account with their ranking as this is based on what is earned on the field.
BC Lions (5-4) Week 11 Preview vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-6): Prediction, Depth Chart, Injuries, Odds
Week 11: Visiting Winnipeg on Sunday.
Previous Rank: 9
Week 1: Lost to Saskatchewan at home 21-29.
Week 2: Lost to Montreal at home 20-23.
Week 3: Lost to Toronto on the road 36-39.
Week 4: Lost to B.C. on the road 21-24.
Week 5: Bye Week.
Week 6: Lost to Ottawa at home 34-37
Week 7: Lost to Ottawa on the road 14-20.
Week 8: Lost to Hamilton at home 29-44.
Week 9: Defeated Saskatchewan on the road 42-31.
Week 10: Defeated BC at home 33-16.
Week 10 saw Edmonton play 2 quarterbacks as Tre Ford was injured late in the 2nd quarter after completing 6 of his 6 passes for 96 yards and rushing 2 times for 11 yards. McLeod Bethel-Thompson came in and led the team to a 33-16 win as he completed 14 of his 18 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown with 1 interception. Tevin Jones led the team in receiving with 6 catches for 123 yards. Both Jones and Kurleigh Gittens Jr. caught all 6 of their targets with Gittens contributing 70 yards. Javon Leake rushed 21 times for 97 yards and a touchdown, a 4.6 average. RB Justin Rankin rushed 7 times for 77 yards, 11 yards per carry, and also caught a touchdown pass. Edmonton currently leads the league in rushing yards per rush at 5.6 and has the third most points for at 249.
Derrick Moncrief and Nyles Morgan led the team in tackles with 7 each. Shawn Oakman and Noah Curtis both recorded a sack.
CFL Week 11: Edmonton Elks (2-7) at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-7), Preview, Odds, Injury Report, Prediction by Dino Sepe
Week 11: Visiting Hamilton on Saturday.
#9 Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-7)
Previous Rank: 8
Week 1: Lost to Calgary on the road 24-32.
Week 2: Lost to Saskatchewan at home 30-33.
Week 3: Lost to Saskatchewan on the road 20-36.
Week 4: Lost to Ottawa on the road 22-24.
Week 5: Lost to B.C. at home 44-28.
Week 6: Bye week.
Week 7: Defeated Toronto at home 27-24.
Week 8: Defeated Edmonton on the road 44-28.
Week 9: Lost to Montreal at home 16-33.
Week 10: Lost to Montreal on the road 23-33.
Heading into week 10 Hamilton was the team with the most passing attempts while having the fewest rushing attempts. We saw this ratio of imbalance continue as Hamilton attempted 42 passes in last week’s loss while handing the ball off to their runningbacks only 11 times. The game plan of not running the football against Montreal was illogical given the fact that Montreal was leading the league in the fewest passing touchdowns allowed and lowest pass efficiency in addition to allowing the 2nd fewest passing yards per game. On the other hand, Montreal was allowing the 2nd most yards per rush from their opponents.
Bo Levi Mitchell was on a short leash after he had 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions against Monreal in week 9. In week 10 he was pulled after he threw an interception on his 4th pass of the game in favor of Taylor Powell. Powell went on to complete 30 of his 38 passes for 319 yards and 2 touchdowns. Powell has subsequently been named the starting quarterback for Hamilton’s upcoming game against Edmonton. Hamilton last played Edmonton in week 8 and saw Bo Levi Mitchell throw a career-high of 5 touchdowns in the game.
Hamilton had begun to turn the season around with back-to-back wins prior to the last 2 losses to Montreal. Now it appears they will be taking a new course after losing 2 consecutive games to a team that only has 1 loss in their last 17 games.
Week 11: Hosting Edmonton on Saturday.
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