The CFL regular season enters its final stretch with playoff positioning becoming increasingly important across the league. Week 18 features several intriguing matchups, including a crucial West Division battle between Calgary and Saskatchewan and a Montreal team looking to remain perfect at home. Here are three bets to consider for the Week 18 slate.
CFL Best Bets for Week 18
Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. Ottawa Redblacks
- Tiger-Cats ML, -105 @ BetMGM
Neither team has anything left to play for from a postseason perspective, but it's difficult to pass on Hamilton at nearly even money against an Ottawa team still searching for its first win of the season. The Redblacks enter Week 18 at 0-14, while Hamilton is 4-11 despite five straight losses.
The Tiger-cats have at least remained competitive against considerably stronger opposition, taking the West-leading Edmonton Elks to overtime last week. Ottawa has also played better recently, including a pair of competitive performances against Calgary, but the Redblacks have yet to prove they can finish games. Hamilton also gets another shot at Ottawa in the season finale, but for this matchup, backing the more proven team at -105 is the preferred approach.
Calgary Stampeders vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Over 62.5 Points @ BetMGM
The number is high, but Calgary and Saskatchewan have already shown they can turn this matchup into a shootout. Their first meeting produced 77 points, with Saskatchewan escaping with a 40-37 victory in Week 3. Calgary's offense also enters the rematch in excellent form behind Vernon Adams Jr., who has thrown for 779 yards and five touchdowns over his last two games while completing 73.2 percent of his passes.
Saskatchewan has lost two straight, but the Roughriders remain dangerous offensively and have plenty at stake, as a win would secure them a playoff berth. Calgary is similarly desperate at 7-8 and fighting for its postseason life. With both teams needing the win and Adams operating at a high level, another back-and-forth contest makes the over appealing despite the elevated 62.5-point total.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Montreal Alouettes
- Alouettes -6.5 @ FanDuel
The Als retur from their bye in an excellent spot against a Winnipeg team dealing with a significant change at quarterback. The Alouettes are 11-3 and have won all seven of their home games this season. Winnipeg handed Montreal one of its three losses with a 44-28 victory in Week 13, but the Blue Bombers won't have Zach Collaros for the rematch after the veteran quarterback was placed on the six-game injured list. Dru Brown will instead lead the offense.
Winnipeg is still firmly in the West playoff race at 7-7, but Montreal has been dominant at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium and enters rested. With the Als having an opportunity to strengthen their grip on the East and Winnipeg missing its starting quarterback, laying 6.5 points with Montreal is the preferred play.
