CFL Gambling? Lions (3-2) vs. Argonauts (3-2)
Lions travel to Toronto for rare Monday tilt
A pair of 3-2 teams will square off at Rogers Center in Toronto on Monday with the B.C. Lions attempting to record their second straight impressive road win and the Argos looking to win their third straight and justify their standing atop the CFL’s Eastern Division.
Both teams have struggled at times this season but both are expected to be serious contenders to the Grey Cup later this year.
BC (3-2) vs. Toronto (3-2)
Date/Time: Monday, August 6, 5:00 PM ET
Venue: Rogers Center, Toronto, Ontario
Broadcast: TSN
Lions vs. Argos Betting Lines from Bodog (Bovada if in USA)
Spread: Lions -3 (-110)
Moneyline: OFF
Over/Under: 55 1/2 points
The Lions looked more like the Lions that many envisioned last week in their impressive beat down of the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary.
The offense and the defense put together arguably their most complete game in a 34-8 win. For the BC offense the goal will be to continue to rely on Travis Lulay and to utilize Andrew Harris who leads the league in yards from scrimmage and for the defense the aim will be to continue getting to the quarterback and to limit Toronto’s second ranked passing attack.
The Lions have reason for optimism on the offensive side of the ball. Last week Travis Lulay completed 30 of 37 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns and he rushed for another 41 yards. That is what we expect from the reigning Grey Cup MVP – a two-pronged attack that keeps defenses on their heels.
Geroy Simon has still been largely absent from the BC aerial attack but Lulay found a way last week to get the ball to Arland Bruce and his insanely talented stable of pass catchers.
Andrew Harris continues to light it up this season. He is the primary reason that the Lions have been able to dominate the time of possession in all of their games this season.
Last week he ran for 55 yards and also caught five balls while scoring two touchdowns.
The BC defense – they came to play last week holding a previously potent offense out of the end zone and keeping the Stamps to just 14 first downs and 29 rushing yards. Their pass rush has been sensational and their defense is number 1 against the pass and against the rush this year. The Lions “D” enters Monday`s game leading the league in 10 of 25 categories.
The Argonauts have been good in every aspect of the game so far – the offense have been ignited with the addition of Ricky Ray, the defense has been holding its own and the special teams led by Chad Owens has been off the charts.
Clik here to view.
Andrew Harris who leads the league in yards from scrimmage (Photo – Al Charest/QMI Agency)
The Argos have made a habit of playing close games this season however – all five of their games have been decided by single digits and their two straight victories have come by three points.
Ricky Ray has made a huge difference to the Toronto offense this year. The team is top 3 in almost every passing category so far. It will be a test for BCs defense for sure but the Lions are top 2 against in almost every pass category.
Absent so far is the effectiveness of Cory Boyd – Toronto is fourth in rushing yards and in desperate need of Boy showing up big on Monday.
The Toronto defense`s strength is also against the pass – even or ahead of the Lions in most statistical categories. Where they are vulnerable is in the run game.
Andrew Harris has been terrific so far this year and has an opportunity to expose Toronto`s weak run stopping unit.
Dave’s Won’t Cost You Anything Free CFL Betting Prediction
It looks like the play again is the Under in this game. The Under is 5-0 in BCs last five road games and is 8-1 in BC`s last nine game in Toronto.
Although the Lions are just 2-3 ATS so far this season they are 13-1 SU in their last 14 trips to Toronto. But the Argos are 5-2 SU in their last seven overall and 4-1 SU in their last five at home.
So who wins? The Lions appear to have shaken their early season doldrums and after a lengthy rest should be able to handle the Argos in this one.
A well balanced attack with Andrew Harris should be the difference in this one. I like the Lions to cover the 3 points on Monday in a typically low scoring game.
Pick: BC Lions -3 and the Under 55 1/2 points
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