The Saskatchewan Roughriders head to the nation's capital to face the Ottawa Redblacks in Week 16 of CFL action on Friday night. The Redblacks will try to snap a seven-game losing streak while the Riders have dropped back-to-back contests after an emotional win against the Blue Bombers on Labour Day weekend.
CFL betting lines opened with the Riders as 2.5-point road favorites for this showdown with the Over/Under at 44.5. Here are my best free CFL picks and predictions for Roughriders vs Redblacks on September 22.
Roughriders vs RedBlacks best odds
Roughriders vs RedBlacks picks and predictions
You can forgive Ottawa Redblacks fans for getting excited after rookie quarterback Dustin Crum led them to back-to-back upset victories in his first two starts. However, that excitement has been short-lived with Ottawa losing seven games in a row since then.
They most recently allowed the Lions to score 23 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to squander a commanding 36-18 lead. Crum continues to play well and his dynamic running ability helps the Redblacks move the chains even when their passing game isn't clicking. The Redblacks averaged just 16.5 points per game before Crum took over as their starter in Week 6 but that number has surged to 27.3 ppg in nine games with him at the helm.
That said, Ottawa's defense remains one of the worst in the CFL. The Redblacks have allowed the most big plays in the league (39) and also rank last in yards allowed per play (7.14) and yards allowed per pass attempt (10.3) while ranking second-last in scoring defense (27.0 ppg).
The only team that has given up more points this year has been the Saskatchewan Roughriders who are surrendering 29.9 ppg. The Riders are coming off a contest where they were gashed for 36 points at home against the Elks and they've given up a whopping 34.6 ppg over their last seven games.
Saskatchewan has been shaky on offense after starting QB Trevor Harris went down with a knee injury in Week 6. However, third-string QB Jake Dolegala has shown improvement leading them to 27+ points in three of their last four games. Dolegala will likely hold on to the starting job despite Mason Fine coming off the IL but even the inconsistent Fine threw for 292 yards against the Redblacks when these teams previously met up last month.
With both squads making strides on offense under young QBs and these defenses looking like the worst in the CFL, this total is simply too low here
My best bet: Over 44.5 (-105 at FanDuel)
Roughriders vs RedBlacks spread and Over/Under analysis
The Riders opened as 2.5-point road favorites for this contest with the Over/Under at 44.5 Early money is starting to come in on the Redblacks and we'll likely see a shorter line by the middle of the week.
Both of these teams collapsed in the fourth quarter last week with the Redblacks giving up 23 unanswered points to the Leos and the Riders allowing Edmonton to score 16 points in the final frame.
The Riders are now 0-2 straight up and ATS in their last two games after pulling off back-to-back upset wins against the Leos and Blue Bombers in Weeks 11 and 13.
The Redblacks had their own mini-winning streak in Week 6 and 7 when they knocked off the Bombers and Stampeders in overtime. However, they've gone just 0-7 SU and 2-5 ATS since even though their offense has performed much better.
Roughriders vs RedBlacks trend to know
Both of these sides have gone 6-0 O/U in their last six games, which includes a Week 9 showdown between these teams in Regina where they combined for 50 points despite going just 1-7 in the red zone. Find more CFL betting trends for Roughriders vs. RedBlacks.
Roughriders vs RedBlacks game info
| Location: | TD Place Stadium, Ottawa, ON |
| Date: | Friday, September 22, 2023 |
| Kickoff: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN |
Roughriders vs RedBlacks key injuries
Roughriders: Jamal Morrow RB, (Questionable), Anthony Lanier II DL (Questionable), Deontai Williams DB (Questionable), Jayden Dalke DB (Out), Rolan Milligan Jr. DB (Out), Jerald Hawkins OT (Out), Trevor Harris QB (Out).
RedBlacks: Abdul Kanneh DB (Out), Money Hunter DB (Out), DeVonte Dedmon WR/KR (Out), Tyrie Adams QB (Out), Jeremiah Masoli QB (Out), Tyron Vrede LB (Out).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
