Week 12 in the CFL kicks off on Thursday night with a clash between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts.
Argos quarterback Chad Kelly has been reinstated after serving a nine-game suspension, and my Roughriders vs. Argonauts predictions for this contest expect him to give their offense a boost.
Here are my best free CFL picks for August 22.
Roughriders vs Argonauts prediction
My best bet
Over 50 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Toronto Argonauts lead the CFL with 123.9 rushing yards per game and 5.5 yards per carry, but their aerial attack has floundered with Cameron Dukes and Nick Arbuckle under center. If Chad Kelly can shake off the rust after serving his lengthy suspension, he'll give a massive boost to this offense. After all, he was named the CFL Most Outstanding Player last year and led the league with a passing grade of 90.7 per PFF.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have been heavily reliant on their defense to force turnovers, but teams have been moving the ball against them. The Riders allowed 30.3 points per game in their last three contests and now rank second-last in the league in passing yards allowed per game (304.1).
Toronto's pass defense has been even worse, and injuries to star linebacker Wynton McManis and stud defensive tackle Jared Brinkman have made things worse on that side of the ball. The Argos are seventh in the league in opponent passer rating (104.6) and passing yards per game (296.2) while allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 72.3% of their passes.
Saskatchewan's offense was humming at the start of the year but struggled once veteran QB Trevor Harris hit the six-game IL. Harris made his return last week and didn't miss a beat, completing 31-of-39 passes for 355 yards against the league's best defense in the Alouettes.
With Harris and Kelly back at QB for their respective teams and both stop units vulnerable against the pass, the Over is the play.
Roughriders vs Argonauts same-game parlay (SGP)
Over 50.5
Ka'Deem Carey Under 63.5 rushing yards
Frankie Hickson Under 60.5 rushing yards
The Argos limit foes to a league-low 69.2 rushing yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry. The Riders allow the second-fewest yards per game on the ground (76.9), and that's despite an outlier performance against the Elks, where they were gashed for 276 yards on 28 rushes. In their other nine contests, they've held foes to just 54.8 rushing yards per game and 3.9 yards per carry.
With these defenses stout against the run and vulnerable against the pass, expect both offenses to rely on their aerial attacks to move the ball. That should result in both running backs going below their rushing yards props.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Roughriders vs Argonauts odds
Roughriders vs Argonauts live odds
Roughriders vs Argonauts opening odds
- Spread: Saskatchewan +2.5 | Toronto -2.5
- Moneyline: Saskatchewan +120 | Toronto -140
- Over/Under: Over 49.5 | Under 49.5
Roughriders vs Argonauts spread and Over/Under analysis
- Early money came in on the Over shifting the total to 50.5, which isn't surprising since these teams have gone a combined 13-6 O/U this year.
- The Roughriders began the season 4-0 SU and ATS but have gone 1-5-1 SU and 2-4 ATS since.
- The Argos are fresh off a bye after beating the Stampeders 39-25 in Week 10. They're 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS at home.
- The Riders won 30-23 at home when these teams previously met this year. The Argos had five turnovers in that contest, including four interceptions from Dukes.
Roughriders vs Argonauts trend
The Over is 7-1 in Trevor Harris' last eight starts for Saskatchewan, while the Argos are 11-4 to the Over in their previous 15 contests overall. Find more CFL betting trends for Roughriders vs. Argonauts.
Roughriders vs Argonauts game info
| Location: | BMO Field, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Thursday, 8-22-2024 |
| Kick-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN |
Roughriders vs Argonauts key injuries
Roughriders: Kian Schaffer-Baker WR (Questionable), Amari Henderson DB (Out), Christian Albright DE (Out), Anthony Lanier II (Out), Jermarcus Hardrick RT (Out), Jacob Brammer RT (Out), Charbel Dabire DT (Out).
Argonauts: Wynton McManis LB (Out), Jared Brinkman DT (Out), Gregor Mackellar G (Out), Darius Ciraco C (Out), Dejon Brissett WR (Out).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
Roughriders vs Argonauts weather
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