After Week 14, the BC Lions were 5-7, and a home game in this year’s CFL playoffs looked unlikely. But if the Lions win today in Saskatchewan vs. the Roughriders (7:00 p.m. ET, CFL+), that will be their reward for a sizzling stretch over the last several weeks.
With six games remaining, the Lions were six points behind the Calgary Stampeders, who were very much in the mix for the West Division title at the time.
But blowing a 17-point second-half lead at Ottawa on September 5 proved to be a turning point for BC, who has not lost since that 34-33 loss to the Redblacks. A five-game win streak for the Lions has included two head-to-head wins over the Stampeders, securing a crucial tiebreaker that will secure second place in the West with a victory vs. the Roughriders this evening.
That will set up a West Semi-Final showdown next Saturday versus Calgary (11-7), who is guaranteed to finish no worse than third in the West thanks to last night’s 20-10 win at Edmonton.
A return trip to Regina in two weeks’ time will be in the cards if BC brushes aside Calgary for a third time, but first, they must wrap up the regular season with a win at Mosaic Stadium.
With the West Division title wrapped up, the Roughriders (12-5) rested starting QB Trevor Harris and other key players last week at Winnipeg, and the same can be expected for their regular season finale.
That makes the forecast more favorable for BC, but will they do their part? Read on for our Lions vs. Roughriders prediction and picks, which highlight the best betting value from top online sportsbooks such as BetOnline.
BC Lions vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC Lions | -7 (-110) | -350 | Over 51.5 (-110) |
| Saskatchewan Roughriders | +7 (-110) | +280 | Under 51.5 (-110) |
Lions vs. Roughriders Betting Trends
- The Lions are 7-5 SU and 6-6 ATS as a favorite this season, including 1-3 SU and ATS as a road favorite.
- BC is 7-5 SU and 6-6 ATS overall as a favorite this season.
- BC is 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS in its last five games.
- The over is 10-1 in the Lions’ last 11 games.
- The over is 6-2 in the Lions’ road games this season, with cashes in each of the last four.
- Saskatchewan is 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS as an underdog this season, all on the road.
- The under has hit in each of the Roughriders’ last four games and is 9-2 in their last 11 games.
- There is an even split of four overs and four unders in Saskatchewan’s home games this season.
- The Roughriders are 8-2 in their last 10 home games vs. the Lions.
Lions vs. Roughriders Prediction and Picks
Prediction: Lions to win
Despite resting numerous starters on both offense and defense, the Roughriders very nearly came away with the win in Winnipeg last week. However, the Blue Bombers pulled out a 17-16 win with a Sergio Castillo field goal on the final play of the game.
With Jake Maier and Jack Coan getting reps at quarterback and Mario Anderson Jr. at running back, the Roughriders managed only 169 total yards at 4.2 yards per play.
Still, they were in it with a chance to win it thanks to a defense that held Winnipeg to only 278 yards and forced two turnovers.
With no action again until the West Final in two weeks, will we see the likes of Harris, running back A.J. Ouellette, and other starters get on the field in today’s regular season finale?
It is the risk-averse move to sit starters in meaningless games, but doing so would mean three weeks without live reps or being in game mode mentally, while they would be facing a BC or Calgary team who is locked in and hasn’t had that time to let the energy or motivation drop.
What will coach Corey Mace decide to do tonight? You would have to imagine the Lions are prepared for all possibilities vs. the Roughriders, and having to take on the starters for at least a few series might be seen as a welcome challenge.
Either way, this should be a BC win. They may not rack up 500+ yards for the fourth time in five games, but a second-string Saskatchewan defense is unlikely to have as much success against Nathan Rourke and the Lions as it did against Zach Collaros and the Blue Bombers, who have been the picture of inconsistency all season.
Lions vs. Roughriders Picks
1) BC Lions First Half Over 16.5 Points (+105 at Bovada)
While the Lions throttled the Stampeders 52-23 in Calgary in Week 16, McMahon Stadium is almost certainly not their desired venue for next week’s West Semi-Final, so you can expect them to come out with intent vs. the Roughriders.
During this five-game win streak, BC has scored 21+ points in a half in four games. Three times, that has been the first half, scoring 28 first-half points vs. the Redblacks in Week 15 and the Stampeders in Week 16 and 21 first-half points vs. the Stampeders in Week 18.
The first half may well be when we see some Saskatchewan starters on the field, if we do at all, but that possibility doesn’t dissuade me from taking this.
2) Lions -7 vs. Roughriders (-110 at BetOnline)
Of the Lions’ 10 wins this season, seven have come by more than seven points, including four of five during the current win streak and all five of their wins against West Division rivals.
3) Lions Team Total Over 30.5 Points (-108 at Lucky Rebel)
The Lions have scored 31+ points 11 times in 17 games this season, including each of their last five road games, four times in this win streak, and eight times in their 10 wins.
Other CFL Betting Information
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