Two of the hottest teams in the CFL face off on Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium when the Edmonton Elks host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
When these teams previously met last year, they combined for 70 points and my Week 16 Blue Bombers vs. Elks predictions are betting on another shootout.
Here are my best free CFL picks for this clash on September 21.
Blue Bombers vs Elks prediction
My best bet
Over 49.5 (-110 at Sports Interaction)
My analysis
The Edmonton Elks are averaging a league-high 29.6 points per game with that number surging to 35.2 ppg over their last six contests. Despite leading Edmonton to wins in three of the last four games, quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson has been benched in favor of Tre Ford.
Ford briefly started for Edmonton and was highly efficient, completing 34 of 43 passes for 469 yards before suffering a chest injury. He's also the best running QB in the league and his blazing-fast 4.45 40-yard dash will be extremely useful in this matchup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Winnipeg's defense has been stingy against the pass but is vulnerable on the ground allowing 5.1 yards per carry. The Elks lead the league with 117.3 rushing yards per game and 5.6 yards per rush attempt, so they'll be able to take advantage of those gaps on D.
While the Elks explosive attack has helped turn around their season, their defense continues to look vulnerable. They surrender a league-high 309.5 passing yards per game and 9.1 yards per attempt. Winnipeg QB Zach Collaros has struggled this season but he was the league's best passer over the last three years, so expect positive regression. Especially with his WR corps and offensive line starting to get healthier.
Blue Bombers vs Elks same-game parlay (SGP)
Over 49.5
Elks alt spread +3.5
Terry Wilson anytime touchdown
While the Bombers are the hottest team in the CFL, Edmonton has been the second-hottest and has a league-best 9-4 mark against the spread. The Bombers also perform worse away from home and I'm expecting their poor run defense to be exposed.
I quickly bet the Elks at +3.5 earlier in the week but that number is long gone. However, I'll gladly push the spread back to that number for this SGP play.
In one of the weirdest stats of the season, Bombers All-Star running back Brady Oliveira leads the league with 1,259 total yards but has yet to score a touchdown. That's because he's been getting vultured by short-yardage QB Chris Streveler who has 10 scores on the ground. Streveler is sidelined this week with a knee injury which means that third-string QB Terry Wilson is the next man up for goal-line touches.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Blue Bombers vs Elks odds
Blue Bombers vs Elks live odds
Blue Bombers vs Elks opening odds
- Spread: Winnipeg -3.5 | Edmonton +3.5
- Moneyline: Winnipeg -180 | Edmonton +150
- Over/Under: Over 49.5 | Under 49.5
Blue Bombers vs Elks spread and Over/Under analysis
- Money has poured in on the Elks, slimming their line from +3.5 to +1.
- The Bombers began the season 2-6 SU and 1-7 ATS but have gone 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS since.
- The Elks lost their first seven games of the year but have gone 5-1 SU and 6-0 ATS in their last six.
- Winnipeg has gone 11-2 to the Under this year but the Over has cashed in five of Edmonton's previous seven contests.
Blue Bombers vs Elks trend
The Over is 6-2 in the Elks last eight games at home. Find more CFL betting trends for Blue Bombers vs. Elks.
Blue Bombers vs Elks game info
| Location: | Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB |
| Date: | Saturday, 9-21-2024 |
| Kick-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN |
Blue Bombers vs Elks key injuries
Blue Bombers: Stanley Bryant LT (Questionable), Kyrie Wilson (Questionable), Chris Streveler QB (Out), Drew Wolitarsky WR (Out), Lucky Whitehead WR (Questionable), Dalton Schoen WR (Out), Adam Bighill LB (Out), Cam Lawson DT (Out), Jamal Parker DB (Out), Gabe Wallace OT (Out).
Elks: Javon Leake RB (Out), Tomas Jack-Kurdyla G (Out), Marcus Lewis DB (Out), Hergy Mayala WR (Out), Romeo McKnight DE (Out), Kyran Moore WR (Out).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
Blue Bombers vs Elks weather
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