The Edmonton Elks face off against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in CFL action on Saturday night.
The Ticats hammered the Elks three weeks ago and while I don't expect another rout, my Elks vs. Tiger-Cats predictions are betting on another Hamilton win.
Here are my CFL picks for this Week 11 showdown on August 17.
Elks vs Tiger-Cats prediction
My best bet
Tiger-Cats ML (+105 at bet365)
My analysis
When these teams clashed in Week 8, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats had a 41-8 lead in the fourth quarter before the Edmonton Elks benched quarterback Mcleod Bethel-Thompson for Tre Ford. Ford gave Edmonton's offense an immediate spark and was named the starter but he suffered an injury last week and is doubtful for Saturday.
Bethel-Thompson is a good pocket passer but he lacks mobility and is much easier to gameplan against than Ford. He completed just 10-of-22 passes for 85 yards in that previous meeting and struggled against Hamilton's strong interior pass rush led by Casey Sayles. Now he's on the road against a secondary that gets a boost with the return of All-Star corner Jamal Peters and safety Stavros Katsantonis.
Hamilton is also going through a change at QB with Taylor Powell now the starter. It seems strange that Scott Milanovich has decided to bench two-time MOP Bo Levi Mitchell who leads the CFL in passing yards and touchdowns. However, he's also leading the league in interceptions and Milanovich is fed up with the sloppy play that has killed this team.
Powell was inconsistent as a rookie last year but he looked terrific when he replaced Mitchell last week, completing 30-of-38 passes for 319 yards and two scores against the league's top defense. He's surrounded by weapons like Shemar Bridges, Tim White, and James Butler who will help him shred an Elks defense that allows a league-worst 9.5 yards per pass attempt.
Expect Powell to ignite the Tabbies' offense while their defensive line pressures MBT into another subpar game. Back the Ticats to win at home.
Elks vs Tiger-Cats same-game parlay (SGP)
Tiger-Cats moneyline
Over 52.5
Eugene Lewis Over 43.5 receiving yards
Despite the changes at QB, this is the highest total of the week at 52.5 which is due in large part to how bad these defenses have been.
The Elks are seventh in the league in opponent pass efficiency (106.5) while the Ticats are just behind them at 108.5. With these teams combining for 70 points in that Week 8 showdown and the Over going 4-1 in the last five meetings, I'm leaning in that direction for this SGP.
Geno Lewis totaled just a pair of catches on four targets over the last two games but he should see more targets with Bethel-Thompson at QB. The three-time All-Star racked up 50+ yards in four of his first six contests this year with MBT under center, averaging 7.5 targets per game over that span.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Elks vs Tiger-Cats odds
Elks vs Tiger-Cats live odds
Elks vs Tiger-Cats opening odds
- Spread: Edmonton -2.5 | Hamilton +2.5
- Moneyline: Edmonton -140 | Hamilton +120
- Over/Under: Over 52.5 | Under 52.5
Elks vs Tiger-Cats spread and Over/Under analysis
- This line opened with the Ticats at +2.5 and money has come in on them slimming the spread to +1.5.
- The Elks began the year going 0-7 but four of those losses came by three points or less and they're coming off back-to-back wins.
- Hamilton has outgained six of its nine foes but has gone just 2-7. That's due to the league's worst TO margin (-8) and a league-high 678 penalty yards.
- Powell made nine starts as a rookie last year, completing 67.5% of his passes for 2,283 yards and 10 touchdowns with nine interceptions
Elks vs Tiger-Cats trend
The Elks are 2-6 ATS versus teams with a losing record while the Ticats are 4-0 ATS against losing teams. Find more CFL betting trends for Elks vs. Tiger-Cats.
Elks vs Tiger-Cats game info
| Location: | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton, ON |
| Date: | Saturday, 8-17-2024 |
| Kick-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN |
Elks vs Tiger-Cats key injuries
Elks: Tre Ford QB (Doubtful), Romeo McKnight DE (Out), Marcus Lewis DB (Out), Tomas Jack-Kurdyla G (Out), Kyran Moore WR (Out).
Tiger-Cats: Joel Figueroa LT (Out), Enock Makonzo DB (Out), Lawrence Woods III WR/KR (Out), Brendan O'Leary-Orange WR (Out).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
Elks vs Tiger-Cats weather
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
