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WNBA Betting Recap - 7/11-7/17
By Joe Williams

League Betting Notes (Monday, July 11 through Sunday, July 17)

-- Favorites went 12-3 straight up (SU)
-- Favorites went 8-7 against the spread (ATS)
-- Home teams posted a 9-6 SU record
-- Road teams posted a 9-6 ATS record
-- The 'under' went 9-6

Team Betting Notes

-- It was a rare trying week for Los Angeles (20-2), as they were taken to overtime in Connecticut (6-16), and then they were drummed Sunday at Atlanta (12-11) by a 91-74 score. After opening the season 8-2 ATS over the first 10 games, the Sparks are just 4-8 ATS over the past 12 outings.

-- The Dream had its best game of the season in their rout of the Sparks. They entered the game just 6-10 ATS over the past 16 outings. The 'over' result Sunday also snapped a three-game 'under' run for Atlanta.

-- New York (17-7) picked up a seven-point win against the Sun Sunday, but narrowly missed out on a cover. It's nothing new for the Liberty, as they're just 2-5 ATS over the past seven games, and 5-8-2 ATS over the past 15 outings. They're also 2-8 ATS over the past 10 games at home.

-- Minnesota (19-4) won their fourth game in a row with an overtime road victory in Dallas (9-14). While the Lynx won the game, they failed to cover and are just 1-3 ATS over the past four outings on the road.

-- The Wings are in a tailspin, losing four straight games, and seven of the past nine straight up. They slapped the brakes on a three-game non-cover streak.

-- Washington (9-13) is in the thros of a five-game losing streak, and they're not covering, either. They're just 1-3 ATS over the past four outings. After an amazing 12-0 'over' streak to start the season, the 'under' has cashed in seven of the past 10 for the Mystics.

-- Phoenix (10-13) had one of the best weeks of the season, pushing aside San Antonio (5-17) and Washington, splitting against the number. The 'under' hit in both games, and is now 4-1 in the past five games for the Mercury.

-- For the Stars, they have dropped four in a row and are no longer covering, either. They're just 1-3 ATS over the past four games. One constant has been totals, as the 'under' is a perfect 5-0 on their past five games, and 7-2 in the past nine.

Preview: Lynx (21-4) at Sun (8-16)

Date: August 26, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Minnesota Lynx put their league-leading six-game winning streak on the line Friday when they travel to Connecticut to play the Sun as the WNBA season gets back into the swing after taking a month-long break for the Rio Olympics.

Minnesota (21-4), which resides a half game behind the Los Angeles Sparks in the Western Conference, has already clinched a berth the new-look WNBA playoffs. The top eight teams, regardless of conference, qualify for the postseason.

The Lynx' remaining goal during the regular season will be to secure one of the top two seeds, giving them a bye to the semifinals of the postseason.

They'll also want to keep their key players rested and healthy for a run at their repeat championship, which would be their fourth title in six years. That shouldn't be too much of a challenge, considering six of their remaining nine games are against teams that are under .500.

The Sun (8-16) are one of those teams but Minnesota will face Connecticut during one of its best runs of the season. Connecticut has won two in a row and five of its past eight games.

"It took a while, but we're really excited about the second half of the season, being 5-3 in our last eight games, and those three losses we had late leads in all of those games," Connecticut coach Curt Miller said. "So we're really excited about how we're playing, but more importantly about the culture that seems to have started with this team."

The Sun will certainly have Minnesota's full attention, thanks to Connecticut's 93-89 home overtime win over the Lynx on July 7. In that victory the Sun received exemplary performances from Alex Bentley (24 points) and Chiney Ogwumike (21 points, seven rebounds) to help secure victory.

Four Minnesota players - Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles - and coach Cheryl Reeve were part of the United States' gold-medal-winning team in Rio. That means that while most of the league's teams had a month to rest for the final push of the regular season, a third of the Lynx roster did not.

Preview: Dream (13-12) at Sky (11-13)

Date: August 26, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

Two teams with postseason aspirations will resume their quests to reach the postseason when the Atlanta Dream visit the Chicago Sky on Friday at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.

Atlanta (13-12) is second in the WNBA's Eastern Conference, 4 1/2 games behind the first-place New York Liberty. The Dream won two of their past three and posted a 93-88 victory over the Dallas Wings on July 22 in their last game before the month-long Olympic break.

Chicago (11-13) is fourth in the Eastern Conference, 1 1/2 games behind Atlanta and six games behind New York. The Sky had won three in a row and four of five before losing 94-89 to the Connecticut Sun in the last game before the break.

Atlanta and Chicago have already met twice this season. The Dream prevailed in close contests each time.

Angel McCoughtry scored 21 points while Layshia Clarendon added 15 points and eight rebounds in an 87-81 victory over the Sky on May 22 at Phillips Arena in Atlanta. Cappie Pondexter led Chicago with 17 points. Sky star Elena Delle Donne had 16 points and seven rebounds.

McCoughtry scored 22 points, Elizabeth Williams had 20 points and nine rebounds, and Clarendon added 19 points in a 101-97 overtime victory over the Sky on June 17 in Atlanta. Delle Donne had 26 points for Chicago. The Sky led 95-91 in overtime, but the Dream mounted an 8-0 run over the final three minutes.

McCoughtry is seventh in the WNBA in scoring and 17th in rebounding, averaging 18.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Williams averages 11.6 points and ranks eighth in the WNBA with 7.6 rebounds per contest.

Delle Donne is second in the league in scoring and ninth in rebounding, averaging 21.1 points and 7.2 boards. Chicago is one of the top shooting teams in the WNBA, ranking second in 3-point percentage (.387), third in field-goal percentage (.461) and third in free-throw percentage (.828).

Preview: Sparks (21-3) at Storm (9-15)

Date: August 26, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Sparks have been the top team in the WNBA throughout the regular season and look to stay that way as they travel to Seattle to play the Storm on Friday night at KeyArena as the league gets back to action after a month-long break for the Rio Summer Olympics.

The Sparks (21-3) have already won seven more games than they did in all of 2015 and are a half-game ahead of Minnesota for the best record in the league with 10 games to play.

Nneka Ogwumike, who leads Los Angeles and is third in the WNBA with a 19.6-points per game average, noticed this year's team click almost immediately.

"The cohesiveness was instant, and the chemistry is impenetrable, on and off the court," Ogwumike said. "It's just nice to be able to bring in all the pieces together and make something work so beautifully."

Los Angeles has already guaranteed itself a spot in the WNBA's new playoff system, which awards the best eight teams (regardless of conference) in the postseason and grants byes into the semifinals for the two best teams.

Seattle (9-15) enters its final 10 games tied for the eighth and final playoff spot and are one win from matching their total from last season. The Storm, buoyed by a mix of veterans and hard-charging young players including Breanna Stewart, this season's No. 1 pick, are in a position to reach the postseason for the first time since 2013.

"I think we're ahead of schedule," Seattle coach Jenny Boucek said. "We're competing and in position (to win) every night and we're really looking forward to taking that next step. So I'm encouraged with where our team is."

Los Angeles waylaid Seattle by 30 points on opening night back on May 15 when the Sparks' Candace Parked shredded the Storm with a 34-point performance. The two teams play for a third time on Sept. 11 at KeyArena.

Preview: Wings (9-16) at Mercury (10-14)

Date: August 26, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Dallas Wings fell apart before the month-long Olympic break, losing their last six games and seeing forward Glory Johnson, their best rebounder and defender, go down with an injury.

The Wings hope to get Johnson back and begin turning things around Friday, when they head to Phoenix to take on Diana Taurasi and the high-scoring Mercury.

Dallas (9-16) has won all the meetings with Phoenix this season, including a 77-74 win at home on July 5. However, in the Wings' next game, Johnson sustained a broken toe, and she sat out the final five games prior to the break, all losses.

Johnson returned to practice last week, and she could play Friday. The undersized Wings will need her.

Johnson is averaging 13.2 points and 9.8 rebounds. Her presence would be helpful Friday to contend with the Mercury's frontcourt, featuring Olympian Brittney Griner, Johnson's former spouse. Griner stands 6-foot-9; no Dallas player is taller than 6-6. Griner leads the Mercury in rebounding and is tops in the WNBA with 73 blocks.

Phoenix (10-14) is in eighth place in the league standings. The top eight teams, regardless of conference, qualify for the postseason.

Dallas sits in 11th place out of 12 teams but is only 1 1/2 games behind Phoenix. The Wings are in their first season in Texas after relocating from Tulsa in the offseason.

Taurasi, after spending last season playing overseas, leads five Mercury players averaging in double figures at 18.9 points per game. DeWanna Bonner (15.9), Griner (13.5), Penny Taylor (13.3) and Candice Dupree (11.3) also are averaging double figures in points for the Mercury.

Phoenix leads the league in scoring, averaging 85 points per game. Dallas is last in the league in defense, allowing 88.1 points per game.

With Taurasi returning to join Griner, the Mercury had high expectations, but they lost their first four games and have been unable to establish much consistency. They lost to the Chicago Sky 79-77 in their last game before the Olympic break and are just 2-9 against Western Conference opponents. However, coach Sandy Brondello told reporters that Wednesday's practice was one of the best the team had all season.

It remains to be seen if it pays off Friday.

Physicality To Be Key in ArenaBowl XXIX
Adam Markowitz

There are a lot of really smart people in the Arena Football League, and I've had the pleasure of interviewing several of them over the course of the last week. Most recognize the fact that the Philadelphia Soul are going to be decided underdogs on the road against the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XXIX on Friday night, but the common bond, regardless of who you speak to, suggests that physicality is going to end up being the key to the game.

The tone of this title fight was set right after the Soul punched their ticket to the game after beating Jacksonville. Dan Raudabaugh said with no reservation that the Soul were going to take it to the Rattlers. He doubled down on that statement in my interview with him from earlier in the week in what has amounted to be my favorite quote so far from anyone involved in this game.

"You've got to hit the gorilla in the mouth." – Dan Raudabaugh

It doesn't get any better than that.

Rattlers coach Kevin Guy speaks all the time about playing fast, playing physical and playing "Arizona Rattler football." He's developed this group of players which is out to not just beat you, but to beat you into oblivion. The Rattlers don't believe in taking their foot off the gas pedal until games are completely and utterly out of hand, and nor should they. It's how they've won three championships in the last four years and are arguably a total of one play and the perspective of one line judge away from having five straight championships to their name coming into this game.

The biggest part of the physicality comes from the Arizona wide receivers. Rod Windsor is 6-foot-2 and has some of the biggest hands I've ever seen in person. Maurice Purify is 6-foot-3 and plays like he's 8-foot-2. Even the third fiddle of this receiving corps, Anthony Amos stands at 6-feet.

When you hear people talk about the Philadelphia receivers, the discussion starts with Darius Reynolds. Reynolds is another big guy at 6-foot-2, and commentator Randy Gatewood described him as a man who "seeks out contact" at the receiver position.

Multiple players and commentators have mentioned the fact that the Philadelphia defensive backs are going to have to get into the face of the Arizona receivers and try to disrupt timing quite a bit. It didn't work against Joe Hills and Tiger Jones, men who often roamed free in the American Conference Championship Game, especially in the first half of the game. However, if the Soul can get their communication in order in the back and successfully bump and run with Nick Davila's three targets, this could become a much more interesting contest.

Ari Wolfe also mentioned that idea that the Soul have to come out of the blocks in a hurry. Raudabaugh's first pass against Jacksonville was picked off and returned for a touchdown. If he does that again in this game, it's highly unlikely the Soul are going to get back in things, especially since the Rattlers have scored 69 points in the second quarters of two playoff games this year.

If the Soul can stick around in this one for a while and ultimately punch Arizona in the mouth a few times, they're going to have a real shot at winning ArenaBowl XXIX. If they don't though, this will end up being their third time leaving the championship game without the Foster Trophy.

ArenaBowl XXIX Preview: Arizona Rattlers (15-3) vs Philadelphia Soul (15-3)
Friday August 26th 2016 7 PM EDT

This is what the Arizona Rattlers and the Philadelphia Soul have been working towards all year. Both teams ended the season with the top two seeds headed into the playoffs, and both took care of business in the playoffs and now find themselves in ArenaBowl XXIX, which will be this Friday at 7 p.m. EDT, at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz.

If the Rattlers win, they will have the most ArenaBowl championships in league history, with six. If Philadelphia wins, they will finally get that victory over the Rattlers in the ArenaBowl, something they fell short of in ArenaBowl XXV (2012) and ArenaBowl XXVI (2013).

The Rattlers went undefeated at home (8-0) for the third time in team history, and the second time in three seasons. Add to that the playoff wins over the Portland Steel and the Cleveland Gladiators, the Rattlers went 10-0 on the Ak-Chin Indian Community field. What makes that more impressive is that Arizona’s average margin of victory at home was just under 29 points per game.

The Soul were almost as good at home, finishing with a 7-1 record, with their only home loss coming against the Jacksonville Sharks in week two. Philadelphia got a win over the Tampa Bay Storm to earn the right to avenge their loss over the Sharks in the American Conference Championship.

This championship game features several interesting matchups. The AFL’s top two quarterbacks will be going head to head. Rattlers’ quarterback Nick Davila led the league in touchdowns, with 111. The next closest was Soul quarterback Dan Raudabaugh with 101. Raudabaugh, however, led the league in average yards per play with 8.8, with Davila trailing just behind with 8.1.

Both teams finished in the top two in scoring offense. The Rattlers averaged an all-time AFL record 66.8 points per game (PPG), while the Soul was second with 61.4 PPG.

Both teams also can boast having the two of the top defenses. The Rattlers lead the league in sacks with 29, while the Soul came in second with 22. Philadelphia edged Arizona in interceptions with 25, while the Rattlers were second in the league with 19. The Rattlers and the Soul were second and third respectively in scoring defense.

Another intriguing matchup will be the matchup between the AFL Offensive Lineman of the Year, Rattlers’ Jordan Mudge, and the VidSwap Defensive Lineman of the Year, Soul’s Jake Metz. Both have had outstanding years, and may have to face each other in the trenches.

Arizona leads the all-time series matchup-7-1, with two of those wins coming in the ArenaBowl. That one win by Philadelphia, however, occurred this season, with each team getting a win against each other in 2016. This championship matchup looks to be much closer than it has been in years past.

ArenaBowl XXIX Preview Philadelphia Soul (15-3) at Arizona Rattlers (15-3)
Friday August 26th 2016 7 PM EDT

Rattlers take aim at 6th ArenaBowl title on Friday at Gila River Arena.

After earning the top seeds in the American and National Conference, the Arizona Rattlers and Philadelphia Soul took care of business and marched through two postseason opponents to advance to ArenaBowl XXIX.

Both teams will bring a 15-3 record into Friday's championship game, with a 4 p.m. kickoff at Gila River Arena in Glendale. The game was shifted away from the Rattlers' normal home at Talking Stick Resort Arena because of a previously scheduled Phoenix Mercury game.

The Rattlers overwhelmed Portland 84-40 and Cleveland 82-41 in the National Conference playoffs, while the Soul slipped past Tampa Bay 63-41 and Jacksonville 55-50 to earn the American Conference berth.

The Rattlers will be aiming for their sixth ArenaBowl title, while the Soul are in search of their first -- having lost in the 2012 and 2013 championship games.

Arizona is 10-0 at home this season with an average victory margin of nearly 29 points per game.

Arizona quarterback Nick Davila led the league with 111 touchdown passes, while Philadelphia's Dan Raudabaugh was second with 101. Raudabaugh led the league in average yards per play with 8.8, with Davila trailing just behind with 8.1.

The Rattlers averaged an all-time league record 66.8 points per game, while the Soul was second with 61.4.

Defensively, the Rattlers rank first in the league in sacks (29) and second in interceptions (19), while the Soul are first in interceptions (25) and second in sacks (22).

In the trenches will be an intriguing matchup between Arizona's Jordan Mudge, the league's offensive lineman of the year, and Philadelphia's Jake Metz, the defensive lineman of the year.

The Rattlers have a 7-1 all-time record against the Soul, but the lone defeat came this season as the team split two regular season games. The Soul won the first matchup 65-58 on May 14 in Philadelphia, but the Rattlers turned the tables on their home field, winning 80-63 on June 17.

StatFox Super Situations

ARENA*|*PHILADELPHIA*at*ARIZONA
Play On - Underdogs or pick (PHILADELPHIA) excellent passing team - with a completion pct of 64% or better, after gaining 8 or more passing yards/attempt last game
46-19*since 1997.**(*70.8%*|*25.1 units*)
4-3*this year.**(*57.1%*|*0.7 units*)

ARENA*|*PHILADELPHIA*at*ARIZONA
Play Against - Home favorites vs. the 1rst half line (ARIZONA) good offensive team - scoring 55 or more points/game, after 2 straight games where 116 total points or more were scored
25-8*since 1997.**(*75.8%*|*16.2 units*)
1-3*this year.**(*25.0%*|*-2.3 units*)

CFL Betting Recap - Week 9
By Joe Williams

League Betting Notes

-- Favorites/underdogs went 2-2 SU in Week 9
-- Favorites/underdogs went 2-2 ATS in Week 9
-- Road teams posted a 3-1 SU record in Week 9
-- Road teams posted a 3-1 ATS record in Week 9
-- The 'Over' went 3-1 in Week 9

Team Betting Notes

-- Calgary (6-1-1) rolled past the BC Lions (5-3) by a 37-9 count, cashing easily as a slight road underdog while creating separation in the West Division. It was the third straight cover for the Stampeders, as they improved to 6-1 ATS over the past seven outings. The 'under' has cashed in three in a row for the Stamps after a 3-0-1 'over' run in their previous four games. Calgary has also covered four in a row on the road.

-- The loss for the Lions snapped a four-game cover streak, and was just their second non-cover in eight tries overall this season. The 'under' also ended a four-game 'over' run for BC.

-- Edmonton (4-4) doubled up Toronto (4-4) by a 46-23 count, as the Argonauts slipped to 1-4 SU/ATS in five games at home this season. The 'under' is 3-0 on the road for Toronto, and the 'over' is 4-1 in five home games for the Argos. The Esks have covered three in a row after an 0-4-1 ATS start.

-- Hamilton (4-4) evened up their record in a rout of Saskatchewan (1-7), 53-7. The Roughriders are terrible, failing to cover in four straight games while averaging just 8.8 points per game. The 'over/under' is 4-4 for the Roughriders despite the fact they have allowed 29 or more points in seven of their eight games.

-- The Tiger-Cats snapped a two-game mini skid in style, and the win was their first in three tries at home. They're also 1-2 ATS in three games at their home stadium this season.

-- After a red-hot start to the season, Ottawa (4-3-1) continues to slide. The RedBlacks were embarrassed at home by Montreal (3-5) by 24 points, their fourth consecutive non-cover.

CFL Betting Notes - Week 10
By David Schwab

Week 9 Betting Recap

Quickly recapping a wild few days of action in Week 9 of the CFL regular season, Montreal was able to tighten things up in the East Division race with last Friday’s 43-19 pasting of Ottawa as a heavy 10-point road underdog.

Later that night, Calgary cemented its place as the frontrunner in the West Division with a 37-9 romp over British Columbia as a 2 ½-point underdog on the road.

Edmonton made a statement that it is ready for another possible Grey Cup title run with its 46-23 victory against Toronto on Saturday as a slight two-point road favorite.

Closing out things out for the week was Hamilton’s 53-7 rout of Saskatchewan as a 10-point favorite at home.

Here is a look at Week 10’s CFL slate.

Friday, Aug. 26

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-4 SU, 4-3-1 ATS) vs. Montreal Alouettes (3-5 SU, 3-5 ATS)
Point-spread: Montreal -2 ½
Total: 48

Game Overview

Winnipeg probably did not want to take last week off with a bye after winning its previous three games SU closing as an underdog. One of the big reasons for this team’s sudden turnaround has been the elevated play of quarterback Matt Nichols, who was given the starting job in place of an ineffective Drew Willy. Nichols has completed 70.4 percent of his 108 passing attempts for 887 yards and six touchdowns against just one interception during this three-game tear.

The Alouettes could be the toughest team to figure out this season. One week they are getting beat by double-digit spreads behind an offense that could not manage to score more than 12 points and the next week they are rolling up 43 points on the top team in their division. Kevin Glenn ended last week’s game against Ottawa with 382 yards passing and five touchdown throws while completing 25-of-30 attempts.

Betting Trends

-- Montreal drew first blood in this season’s series with a 22-14 victory on the road in Week 1 as a 2 ½-point underdog, but the Blue Bombers have covered ATS in four of their last five road games against the Alouettes.

-- The total has stayed UNDER in three of the last four meetings overall.

Saskatchewan Roughriders (1-7 SU, 2-6 ATS) vs Edmonton Eskimos (4-4 SU, 3-4-1 ATS)
Point-spread: Edmonton -14
Total: 56 ½

Game Overview

The Roughriders are officially the worst team in the CFL this season after finishing last in the standings in 2015. They have the lowest scoring offense in the league with an average of 18.2 points a game and their defense has now allowed 286 points through eight games which is easily the highest amount in the CFL by 64 points. The prospect for any kind of turnaround does not look all that good with a 0-4 record (SU and ATS) in their last four games by an average margin of 23.5 points a game.

Edmonton got a pair of much needed wins in its last two games following a rare SU three-game slide. Last week’s road win against Toronto was the first time the Eskimos put up more than 40 points this season and it was also one of the few times they got some solid production from both their running game and their passing game. Mike Reilly ended the day with 362 yards passing and three touchdown throws while John White and Calvin McCarty combined for 101 yards and a score on the ground.

Betting Trends

-- Head-to-head in the West Division tilt, Edmonton has won the last four meetings SU but it failed to cover in a 39-36 overtime victory against the Roughriders on July 8 as a 9 ½-point home favorite.

-- The total has now gone OVER in the past two meetings.

Sunday, Aug. 28

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-4 SU, 4-4 ATS) vs. Calgary Roughriders (6-1-1 SU, 6-2 ATS)
Point-spread: Calgary -5 ½
Total: 53 ½

Game Overview

The Tiger-Cats clawed their way back to .500 on the year behind quarterback Zach Collaros, who missed the first six games of the season recovering from a knee injury. He made the most of his home debut this season with 381 yards passing and five touchdown throws in the romp over Saskatchewan. He completed passes to eight different players, but his favorite receiver was Terrence Toliver with five catches for 139 yards and a score.

Calgary proved it is the team to beat in the CFL closing in the first half of the season. It is the highest scoring team in the CFL with an average of 31 points a game and defensively it is allowing an average of 20.1 points, which is also the best in the league. Bo Levi Mitchell continues to light things up at quarterback with the second-most passing yards (2,534) in the CFL and a tie for the most passing touchdowns (14).

Betting Trends

-- Calgary has won the last nine meetings SU, but the Tiger-Cats have the slight 5-4 edge ATS.

-- The total has stayed UNDER in the last seven games of this interdivision clash.

Preview Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Montreal Alouettes
Randy Chambers

Friday, August 26, 2016 at 7:00 pm (Molson Stadium)
The Line Alouettes -2 -- Over/Under: 48

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Montreal Alouettes square off Friday night at Molson Stadium on TSN.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers look to keep rolling to build on their three-game winning streak. Matt Nichols is completing 70.4 percent of his passes for 887 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. Nichols has five touchdowns in his last three games. Darvin Adams and Weston Dressler have combined for more than 800 receiving yards and four touchdowns while Jace Davis has 32 receptions. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers ground game is averaging 79.2 yards per contest, and Andrew Harris leads the way with 505 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Winnipeg is allowing 23.2 points and 432.9 yards per game. Ian Wild leads the Blue Bombers with 53 tackles, Jamaal Westerman has four sacks and Maurice Leggett has four interceptions.

The Montreal Alouettes hope for back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Kevin Glenn is completing 70.8 percent of his passes for 2,059 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. Glenn has thrown six touchdowns in his last three games. Duron Carter and Nik Lewis have combined for more than 1,200 receiving yards and six touchdowns while B.J. Cunningham has 26 receptions. The Montreal Alouettes ground game is averaging 71.6 yards per contest, and Brandon Rutley leads the way with 265 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Montreal is allowing 23.2 points and 390 yards per game. Bear Woods leads the Alouettes with 53 tackles, John Bowman has four sacks and Billy Parker has two interceptions.

The Blue Bombers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games and 2-7 ATS vs. a team with a losing record. The Alouettes are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games and 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games overall. The Blue Bombers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Montreal.

Winnipeg has owned Montreal over the years with wins in seven of the last 10 meetings, but the Alouettes did beat the Blue Bombers on the road earlier in the season. Montreal has also won the last two meetings overall. Yes, the Blue Bombers are playing better at the moment, but I give the edge to the home team that needs to string some wis together in order to have any shot of turning its season around.

Also, Glenn was on fire in his last contest.

RANDY'S PICK
Montreal Alouettes -2

Preview Saskatchewan Roughriders at Edmonton Eskimos
Randy Chambers

Friday, August 26, 2016 at 10:00 pm (Commonwealth Stadium)
The Line Eskimos -13.5 -- Over/Under: 56

TV: TSN/RDS2/ESPN2

The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Eskimos play Friday night at Commonwealth Stadium on ESPN2.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are desperate for a victory after a brutal 1-7 start to the season. Darian Durant is completing 65.6 percent of his passes for 1,480 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. Durant has one touchdown pass in his last three games. Naaman Roosevelt and Ricky Collins have combined for more than 1,100 receiving yards and two touchdowns while Rob Bagg has 28 receptions. The Saskatchewan Roughriders ground game is averaging 64 yards per contest, and Curtis Steele leads the way with 133 yards on 24 carries. Defensively, Saskatchewan is allowing 35.8 points and 420.6 yards per game. Greg Jones leads the Roughriders with 42 tackles, A.C. Leonard has three sacks and Justin Cox has two interceptions.

The Edmonton Eskimos need a big home win in order to get a game above a .500 record. Mike Reilly is completing 70.1 percent of his passes for 2,843 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. Reilly has three touchdown passes in his last three games. Adarius Bowman and Derel Walker have combined for more than 1,700 receiving yards and nine touchdowns while Cory Watson has 29 receptions. The Edmonton Eskimos ground game is averaging 72.9 yards per contest, and John White leads the way with 354 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Edmonton is allowing 27.8 points and 400.8 yards per game. Deon Lacy leads the Eskimos with 50 tackles, Almondo Sewell has six sacks and J.C. Sherritt has three interceptions.

The Roughriders are 3-14-1 ATS in their last 18 road games and 19-39-3 ATS in their last 61 games overall. The Eskimos are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in August. The Roughriders are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Edmonton and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 meetings overall.

Saskatchewan has been the punching bag in the CFL all season and five of its seven losses have come by double digits. We're talking about a team that is fresh off a 53-7 loss to Hamilton. Not to mention Edmonton has beaten Saskatchewan in four straight meetings. So, while not a fan of big chalk, the Roughriders once again leave me no choice.

RANDY'S PICK
Edmonton Eskimos -13.5