Week 6 in the CFL features a clash between winless teams as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday. Oddsmakers expect Hamilton to finally get in the win column with CFL betting lines opening with the Ticats as 6.5-point favourites.
Here are our best free Redblacks vs. Tiger-Cats picks and predictions for July 16 with kickoff at 5 p.m. ET.
Redblacks vs Tiger-Cats odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
This line hit the board with the Tiger-Cats installed as 6.5-point home favourites with the total at 44. Early money has come in on the Ti-Cats moving the spread to -7.5, with the total ticking up to 44.5.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until kickoff and be sure to check out the full CFL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Redblacks vs Tiger-Cats Week 6 predictions
- Prediction: Redblacks +7.5 (-110)
- Prediction: Under 44.5 (-110)
- Best bet: Redblacks TT Under 18.5 (-106)
Predictions made on 7/14/2022 at 4 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
Redblacks vs Tiger-Cats game info
• Location: Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton, ON
• Date: Saturday, July 16, 2022
• Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. ET
• TV: TSN
Redblacks at Tiger-Cats betting preview
Weather
Key injuries
Redblacks: Jeremiah Masoli QB (Out), Patrick Levels LB (Questionable), Abdul Kanneh DB (Questionable), Randy Richards OL (Questionable), Money Hunter DB (Out), Frankie Griffin LB (Out), Kwaku Boateng (Out), Ryan Davis WR (Out).
Tiger-Cats: Cariel Brooks DB (Questionable), Papi White WR (Questionable), Alex Fontana C (Probable), Lemar Durant WR (Out).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 9-1 in the Redblacks' last 10 games. Find more CFL betting trends for Redblacks vs. Tiger-Cats.
Redblacks vs Tiger-Cats picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
After three close losses (against a pair of strong teams in Winnipeg and BC) to begin their season, the Redblacks were convincingly defeated last week, losing 28-13 to the Roughriders. But, the worst part of that defeat was losing quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to a serious leg injury after a dirty hit from Garrett Marino.
Masoli had yet to win a game for the Redblacks but the 2018 All-Star had been a massive upgrade at the position and had torched Winnipeg's secondary in back-to-back contests at the start of the year.
Now Ottawa will be forced to start Caleb Evans under center. The 23-year-old got plenty of burn as a rookie last year and while he made his CFL debut in spectacular fashion, he floundered down the stretch and ended the season having completed just 59.3% of his passes for five touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Interceptions have also been a massive problem for Hamilton QB Dane Evans, who has been picked off twice in every game this year while also losing four fumbles. The Ticats are coming off a bye after losing at home to the Elks as 6.5-point favourites in Week 4.
That was the fourth consecutive loss for a Hamilton squad that was expected to be a Grey Cup contender entering this season. Turnovers have been the biggest reason for Hamilton's lack of success, with the Ticats having given the ball away 15 times and sitting last in the league with a turnover differential of minus-8.
With such sloppy play and poor execution, I have a tough time backing them as favourites of more than a touchdown, especially against a Redblacks side that was highly competitive against the Bombers and Lions.
Despite his uneven play last season, there is confidence in Evans throughout the Redblacks locker room and he can make plays with his feet. He also has a better line and more playmakers surrounding him than last year, including wideouts Jaelen Acklin and Darvin Adams, and running back William Powell. I'll lean ever so slightly toward Ottawa with the points.
Prediction: Redblacks +7.5 (-110 at bet365)
Over/Under analysis
Betting trends strongly favor the Under in this contest. The Under is 7-3 in the Ticats' last 10 games against teams with a losing record while the Redblacks are 9-1 to the Under in their previous 10 contests overall. The Under has also cashed in five straight meetings between these teams in Hamilton.
The Ticats are second-last in the league in yards per game (308) while ranking last with just 4.2 yards per play. While they've surrendered plenty of points, most of that hasn't been the fault of a solid defense that has often worked with a short field due to turnovers.
That Tiger-Cats' defense should be able to slow down an Ottawa offense with the limited Caleb Evans at the helm. Take the Under.
Prediction: Under 44.5 (-110 at SportsInteraction)
Best bet
When it comes right down to it, I had a tough time taking the Ticats on the spread due to their anemic offense. However, I do think their defense will be able to have success in this one.
The Redblacks are averaging just 18.3 ppg this season with Masoli at the helm and will likely have a tough time attacking downfield with Caleb Evans slinging the ball.
At least on paper, the Tiger-Cats' defense is one of the best in the league. They are loaded at secondary and linebacker and their interior defensive line is powerful and deep. I'm taking the Under on Ottawa's team total.
Pick: Redblacks team total Under 18.5 (-106 at FanDuel)
Did you know that if you parlayed this week’s CFL Redblacks vs. Tiger-Cats picks, you could win $60.83 on a $10 bet?
Use our CFL parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
