CFL Best Bets come as we approach the second half of the season in earnest. After an exciting first half that saw the Edmonton Elks finally win a game, there comes the business of what may be next. Toronto defending their Grey Cup title is not a surprise. Now, the Argonauts possess the best record in the CFL. So, Vegas Betting asks Toronto can get to 8-1 after Friday night.
Toronto came roaring out of the gates early, and the bookmakers have emphatically noticed. Bovada Vegas online sportsbooks carried one of the shorter numbers out there at +280. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto are two of the favorites to win the Grey Cup. For this week, the second biggest favorite in terms of games is Toronto, however. CFL Best Bets rightfully headline the Argonauts.
The British Columbia Lions have the best chance to win, according to the books hovering around -500 to -550. On the other hand, Toronto again has one of the top offenses in the CFL. Even when their defense is not quite at their best, the offense and Chad Kelly can light up a scoreboard. Toronto’s top Most Outstanding Player candidate tossed four touchdowns and 417 yards against Ottawa two weeks ago.
So, Toronto comes off their third and final bye week of the season. Fortunately, that means they are well-rested this week against a Calgary team that struggles to keep pace with teams offensively. The Stampeders keep finding ways to not close out games, as they lost to a vulnerable Winnipeg last week. Toronto will not let their foot off the pedal at home. That has to be a big concern for Calgary come Friday night.
Therefore, CFL Best Bets focuses on keeping things simple. Yes, the Argonauts remain a safe moneyline bet on Friday (-435 on BetOnline) and still, a decent Grey Cup pick as well.
Toronto, the spread, and the CFL Best Bets opened with the Argonauts as a whopping 9.5-point favorite at home against Calgary on Friday night. One of the biggest reasons for that spread comes down to the Argonauts. They lead the league in average points per game (33.5). By contrast, Calgary manages a mere 21.7 points a contest. For further insult, they have problems scoring, especially early and late in games.
One of the more remarkable things about the Argonauts this year is that offense. Again, they pounded Ottawa with 544 yards of total offense. It did not matter what the Redblacks tried defensively because Toronto had an answer to move the ball at will. A.J. Ouellette gained 90 yards on only 14 carries as the Toronto offensive line is undoubtedly of the best fronts in the entire league. Few can match up with that beef.
Toronto maintains its status as an easy wager even against the spread. Again, Calgary can play up to their competition. Sadly for the Stampeders, when Toronto turns up the pace, Calgary cannot keep up. The only loss of the Toronto season came against these very same Stampeders. An injury to Chad Kelly and a few other bumps and bruises paved the way for a Calgary home win. This game is in Toronto, though.
The playoffs expect to go through Toronto in the East. Right now, the Argonauts carry revenge on their minds after that early August blemish. With a healthier Argonauts team and a 3-7 Stampeders team that has dropped consecutive games, expect Toronto to get their revenge and likely win by double digits.
CFL Best Bets asks wagerers to maybe lean on the over a little. With a number above 50, that concerns some bettors. It is understandable to get worried. Some focus too much on what happened previously. Again, that first meeting saw the teams combine for a mere 27 points. The circumstances were way different. Furthermore, injuries and more killed any chance of Toronto to roar back.
Again, this time around, Toronto has all the motivation. Calgary may not even make the playoffs at this point, and they look to be heavily outmatched. The hope is that Jake Meier makes a few fewer mistakes for the Stampeders. That would allow Calgary to score a few points and make Toronto keep the tempo up high. Again, high-octane offenses love when the pace of the game is pushed.
Few thought Chad Kelly and Toronto could do what Nathan Rourke and British Columbia did last season. The hopeful difference for the Argonauts is that Kelly can stay healthy. Some even believe that the quarterback could perform even better over the second half. Calgary’s defense is ripe for a passing attack like Toronto’s. The Argonauts can rip off large chunks of yards and have a plethora of weapons.
For CFL Best Bets, looking to the over at 51.5 has risk. However, at -110, it’s worth a small bet anyway on Friday as Toronto is ready to roll.
What about some longer bets this weekend? Does one risk Edmonton twice in a row? The Elks are almost Even on the moneyline versus the Ottawa Redblacks. That number provides little value given the Elks have a home losing streak that resides at 21 games.
However, do not sleep in Montreal. At +280, they are not an easy moneyline bet against Winnipeg. However, the Blue Bombers might get caught looking ahead.
Bonuses and picks this weekend are like the best Vegas news and picks. Also, peek at the online betting site bonuses too.
