Week 10 in the CFL kicks off on Thursday night with the Edmonton Elks hosting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Bombers are 6-2 and coming off a rout of the BC Lions, while the Elks are fresh off a bye and still looking for their first win of the season.
Oddsmakers don't expect them to get it this week with CFL betting lines opening with the Bombers as 12-point road favorites and the Over/Under at 44.5. Here are my best free Blue Bombers vs. Elks CFL picks and predictions for August 10.
Blue Bombers vs Elks best odds
Blue Bombers vs Elks picks and predictions
The Elks' offense has been beyond pathetic this season and ranks last in the CFL with just 13.1 points per game. They are coming off their second shutout loss of the year and quarterback Taylor Cornelius has been a complete disaster, forcing Edmonton to demote him to third-string and give rookie Jarrett Doege another chance after an ugly start of his own in Week 4.
The Bombers' defense looked a bit vulnerable earlier in the season but has been very stingy since the start of July. Over their last five games they have given up just 14.6 ppg, and they allowed more than 14 points in only one of those contests.
The Blue Bombers had a rare home loss to the Lions earlier this year but got revenge for that defeat last Thursday when they thumped the Leos 50-14. Winnipeg's offense was unstoppable in that rout and with Kenny Lawler finally on the field alongside Dalton Schoen, this WR corps might be the best in the league.
Quarterback Zach Collaros is the reigning two-time MOP odds winner and leads the CFL in passing yards (2,292), passing touchdowns (16), and pass efficiency rating (118.4). He's well-protected behind a strong offensive line, while national running back Brady Oliveira is a stud out of the backfield.
The Elks' defense hasn't been quite as bad as their offense but still ranks last in the league in rush defense (141.6 yards allowed per game on 5.8 yards per carry), and opponent pass efficiency rating (100.5). They also struggle to generate much of a pass rush, so expect Collaros to have plenty of time to pick them apart just like he did three weeks ago when the Bombers won 28-14 at IG Field.
The Bombers were 15-point home favorites for that previous meeting, but with this game taking place in Edmonton, the spread is down to 12. However, when you consider that the Elks haven't been benefitting from home-field advantage, it makes sense to fade them at this number. The Elks have lost 21 games in a row at Commonwealth and have gone just 3-18 against the spread during that span.
My best bet: Blue Bombers -12 (-110 at Sports Interaction)
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Blue Bombers vs Elks spread and Over/Under analysis
The Elks have gone 0-8 straight up and 2-6 against the spread this year, with both of those covers taking place on the road. They look like the worst team in the league for the third year in a row. Doege will be asked to provide a spark but doesn't have a sturdy line protecting him.
Doege did look sharp in a couple of garbage time appearances when he replaced Cornelius this season. But in his lone start, he averaged just 6.8 yards per pass attempt and threw three picks against Ottawa.
The Bombers look like one of the most complete teams in the league and are 6-2 SU and 5-3 ATS. They are also 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings between these teams and have beaten the Elks by at least 14 points in their previous three clashes.
The Elks have gone 6-2 to the Under this season, and the Under has also cashed in four of the last five meetings between these West Division foes.
Blue Bombers vs Elks trend to know
The Elks are 0-4 ATS in their last four games following a bye week. Find more CFL betting trends for Blue Bombers vs. Elks.
Blue Bombers vs Elks game info
| Location: | The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB |
| Date: | Thursday, August 10, 2023 |
| Kickoff: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN |
Blue Bombers vs Elks key injuries
Blue Bombers: Malik Clements OLB (Out), Celestin Haba DE (Out), Janarion Grant WR/KR (Out).
Elks: Geno Lewis WR (Out), Enock Makonzo SLB (Out), Aaron Grymes DB (Out), J-Min Pelley DT (Out).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
