CFL WEEK THREE PREDICTIONS

CFL / Football

Written by Joel Lefevre

Week three of the 2022 CFL season looks like a virtual carbon copy of the end of the previous regular season.

Out West, the Riders, Blue Bomber, and Stampeders lead the way with the Elks at the bottom of the table, while Toronto is the only Eastern team with a W thus far.

This week's theme is West versus East, with a battle of Alberta, sandwiched in between. Here is a look at each game and my predictions.

Source (Background Photo/s): CFL

Saskatchewan Roughriders at Montreal Alouettes

A dozen years ago, these were the two teams to beat in the league as they met in consecutive Grey Cups in 2009 and 2010, with Montreal claiming victory each time.

This features two clubs with opposite records as the Riders are 2-0, with the Als yet to win.

In week two, Saskatchewan got a massive performance from running back Jamal Morrow, who ran the ball 17 times for 126 yards and one touchdown.

So far this season, Craig Dickenson's team has waited until late before getting the job done, scoring 32 points combined in the fourth quarter in their two games.

Quarterback Cody Fajardo has thrown for over 550 yards in two games and has yet to toss an interception.

Montreal looks like a stingier pass defence, opening up by allowing the fewest yards per attempt (7.5) and already with six quarterback sacks.

Trevor Harris will get the start in this one, and he looked good in relief of Vernon Adams, throwing for 270 yards last week.

Early this season, Khari Jones has seen his receiving crew step up nicely, particularly Geno Lewis, who had seven catches for 127 yards, with Reggie White Jr. behind him with six grabs for 83 yards.

Saskatchewan has allowed 292.5 yards through the air after two games, conceding three completions over 30 yards.

Prediction: Montreal 27- 24 Saskatchewan

The Alouettes maybe 0-2, but they were narrow defeats, and as good as Fajardo is, Montreal could make it harder for him with their pressure up the middle, while they have some big-play receivers capable of turning the tide in their favour.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats- Winnipeg Blue Bombers

A rematch of the last two Grey Cups will be the headline matchup on Friday night.

Despite being 2-0, Zach Collaros has had a relatively quiet beginning, passing for 416 yards in two games.

The man everyone thought might be the breakout star to fill the shoes of Andrew Harris, Brady Oliveira has struggled early on, although Johnny Augustine has an excellent early average of 5.3 yards per carrying on 10 attempts.

They are averaging 3.5 yards per carry, meaning their offensive balance has struggled.

The Bombers have allowed 355.5 passing yards per game, giving up a CFL-high completion rate of 83.6 percent.

Over in Steeltown, things have not looked much better, with the Ti-Cats 0-2 and struggling to establish a ground game, with a CFL low 3.3 yards per carry.

Despite a knee issue in their previous game Dane Evans practiced this week and should be good to go for this weekend.

They have done a good job plugging those running lanes, forcing teams in second and long situations.

Prediction: Hamilton 20-17 Winnipeg

It is only two weeks into the season, and while I expect these teams to still be near the top of the standings, it might take a little while for some of the new backs to reach their full potential.

That being said, look for a defensive showcase in this one, with Hamilton having a slight edge given how much the Bombers have allowed through the air.

Edmonton Elks- Calgary Stampeders

It's the first installment of the Battle of Alberta between two teams going in opposite directions.

The Elks put up a much better fight against the Riders last week, yet came up empty once again.

In his second stint as Edmonton head coach, this current project could be more challenging for Chris Jones.

Kenny Lawler looked splendid against the Riders with 12 catches for 149 yards, while Nick Arbuckle was much more in sync with his receivers, passing for 315 yards.

Jones and his defensive unit have a lot of work to do, allowing a CFL-high 185.5 rushing yards, a 7.0 yards per rush average, and six TDs on the ground after two weeks.

Stamps QB Bo Levi Mitchell is coming off a 313-yard performance, throwing two touchdown passes against Hamilton.

Ka'Deem Carey only had two carries last week but can expect a lot more against a team who allows plenty of yards on the ground.

The Stamps have conceded the league's most completions (54) and the second-most passing yards (337.5).

Prediction: Edmonton Elks 24- 33 Calgary Stampeders

The Stamps running attack will be a handful for the defensive line of the Elks, leaving them in plenty of first down or second and short situations and we expect Edmonton to eventually crumble being on defense for so long.

Toronto Argonauts- BC Lions

The final game of this CFL week features two 1-0 teams in the Argos and BC Lions.

Toronto was fortunate to walk away with a one-point win against Montreal when David Cote hooked an 18-yard chip shot field goal wide with 18 seconds remaining.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson looked better statistically, throwing for 269 yards and a touchdown, while Andrew Harris rushed for 87 yards on 18 touches.

After a bye week, the Lions aim to build off an impressive blowout victory in their opener against Edmonton.

Scoring 59 points is a lot more than Rick Campbell could have asked from his team in week one, as Nathan Rourke was 26 of 29 for 282 yards and three TD passes.

The Lions looked nearly perfect offensively, with James Butler rushing for 108 yards and Lucky Whitehead having six catches for 110 yards.

Prediction- Toronto Argonauts 35- 28

As good as the Lions were in their opener, it is one game, while for the Boatmen, their experience appears to be shining through, and we expect them to put up some big numbers against a BC defence that we are waiting to see how good they are.