The Saskatchewan Roughriders face off against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Banjo Bowl this Saturday.
This is a rematch from last week's Labour Day Classic which the Bombers won in a 35-33 thriller and my Roughriders vs. Blue Bombers predictions expect them to prevail again. Here are my best free CFL picks for this Week 14 clash of rivals on September 8.
Roughriders vs Blue Bombers prediction
My best bet
Blue Bombers -2.5 (-115 at DraftKings)
My analysis
These teams have been trending in opposite directions which culminated in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers beating the Saskatchewan Roughriders 35-33 at Mosaic last week. The Bombers held on for a win in that contest despite losing star quarterback Zach Collaros to a head injury late in the first half.
Collaros will suit up on Saturday and while he struggled earlier in the year, his WR corps is much healthier. Although stud wideout Dalton Schoen is still on the IR, Kenny Lawler and Drew Wolitarsky have returned to the lineup while Ontaria Wilson has emerged as a star.
The Riders have gone 0-5-1 straight up and 2-4 against the spread in their last six games. They've seen massive regression on defense which isn't surprising when you consider that they've been reliant on takeaways and give up a whopping 302.3 passing yards per game.
On the other side of the ball, Trevor Harris threw for 368 yards last week but I'd be shocked if he can replicate that performance in Winnipeg. Keep in mind that the Bombers hold opponents to the fewest passing yards per game (234.6) and the lowest pass efficiency (86.0) in the CFL. In addition, the Riders offensive line is missing four starters and their top backup OT due to injuries.
Princess Auto Stadium also provides the best home-field advantage in the league while the Riders perform worse on the road. The Bombers have won the last seven meetings between these rivals in Winnipeg with six of those victories coming by 18+ points.
Roughriders vs Blue Bombers same-game parlay (SGP)
Blue Bombers -2.5
Zach Collaros Over 280.5 passing yards
Brady Oliveira Under 65.5 rushing yards
Collaros threw for 218 yards in just the first half last week before exiting the game after a receiving a helmet-to-helmet hit from Miles Brown. As long as Collaros stays on the field, he should eclipse his passing yards total against a Riders secondary that has allowed a league-high 22 pass completions of 30+ yards.
That said, Brady Oliveira will have a tough time finding running room against a stingy Saskatchewan run defense. Oliveira was limited to 42 yards on the ground last week and rushed for 49 yards in the first meeting between these teams this season.
Winnipeg head coach Mike O'Shea will attack the Riders where they are vulnerable in the secondary, which should plenty of yards for Collaros and fewer rush attempts for Oliveira.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Roughriders vs Blue Bombers odds
Roughriders vs Blue Bombers live odds
Roughriders vs Blue Bombers opening odds
- Spread: Saskatchewan +2 (-110) | Winnipeg -2 (-110)
- Moneyline: Saskatchewan +110 | Winnipeg -130
- Over/Under: Over 47.5 (-110) | Under 47.5 (-110)
Roughriders vs Blue Bombers spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Riders started the year 5-1 SU and ATS but haven't won since.
- The Bombers began the season 2-6 SU and 1-7 ATS but have now won four games in a row.
- The Riders lead the league with a turnover margin of +16 while the Bombers have the third-worst TO margin at -8.
- These teams combined for 68 points last week but that was just the second time all year that the Over has cashed in a Blue Bombers game.
Roughriders vs Blue Bombers trend
Winnipeg is 36-17-1 ATS in its last 54 home games. Find more CFL betting trends for Roughriders vs. Blue Bombers.
Roughriders vs Blue Bombers game info
| Location: | Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg, MB |
| Date: | Saturday, 9-7-2024 |
| Kick-off: | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN |
Roughriders vs Blue Bombers key injuries
Roughriders: Peter Godber C (Out), Zack Fry G (Out), Dohnte Meyers WR (Out), Jermarcus Hardrick RT (Out), Jacob Brammer RT (Out), Ryan Sceviour G (Out), AJ Ouellette RB (Out), Anthony Lanier II DT (Out), Christian Albright DE (Out).
Blue Bombers: Adam Bighill LB (Out), Stanley Bryant LT (Doubtful), Patrick Neufeld G (Questionable), Lucky Whitehead WR (Doubtful), Dalton Schoen WR (Out), Cam Lawson DT (Out), Gabe Wallace OL (Out), Kyrie Wilson LB (Out).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
Roughriders vs Blue Bombers weather
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