The weird, wild, and wonderful spectacle that is the Canadian Football League continues to be just that, and in the East Division, things are suddenly getting interesting with the Montreal Alouettes having won back-to-back road games. Still, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are in a strong position for a division title, and they will move closer to that goal with a home win vs. the Edmonton Elks today (7:00 p.m. ET, CFL+).
It has been a season of streaks for the Ticats (8-5). They opened the season with consecutive losses, promptly reeled off six straight wins, then dropped three straight (two at home) to drop to 6-5.
They enter their matchup with the Elks having seemingly steadied the ship with wins over the Alouettes and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It’s not a moment too soon, either, as Montreal has finally found its way out of the abyss at an unexpected but unsurprising time.
A win vs. the Elks would not only keep the cushion between the Tiger-Cats and Alouettes at four points with four games left for both teams, but it would also see Hamilton secure a playoff spot and the franchise’s first .500 finish since 2021.
Can Edmonton spoil the playoff party for Hamilton? Read on for our Elks vs. Tiger-Cats prediction and picks, along with the top odds from top online sportsbooks such as BetOnline.
Edmonton Elks vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonton Elks | +5 (-105) | +207 | Over 56 (-110) |
| Hamilton Tiger-Cats | -5 (-115) | -256 | Under 56 (-110) |
Elks vs. Tiger-Cats Prediction and Picks
Prediction: Tiger-Cats to win
Yesterday was a rough one for my CFL picks and prognostications, with only one of six picks hitting and both home teams losing.
But in Alouettes vs. Argonauts, Toronto made a questionable decision to not go for it on third and reasonable inside the 30 down 21-16 late in the game, then, after almost making the decision look good, threw the game away in the final minute of a 21-19 loss to the Alouettes.
And in Lions vs. Stampeders, Vernon Adams Jr.’s revenge game was an epic disaster, from his two early interceptions to exiting early due to a potential concussion, as BC rolled to a 52-23 win in Calgary.
But one must always expect twists, turns, and burns when it comes to the CFL, so we keep it moving with the same confidence today as yesterday.
In the only game that we’re on today (because Blue Bombers vs. Redblacks is a real stinker of a matchup), Elks vs. Tiger-Cats should be a win for the home team.
The Ticats’ defense entered this week tops in the CFL in pass efficiency, second in the league in fewest 30+ yard completions allowed, and first in takeaways. Against an offense that is eighth in the league in 30+ yard completions and yards per play, and last in the league in sacks allowed, Hamilton might well have another decent day defensively.
That will limit how much the Tiger-Cats must do offensively vs. the Elks, but Bo Levi Mitchell and company should have another productive day. Last time out, it was a more balanced attack as they compiled 230 passing yards and 163 rushing yards in last week’s win over the Blue Bombers. This week, Mitchell should air it out a bit more, as the Elks rank low in numerous pass defense categories.
Elks vs. Tiger-Cats Picks
1) Bo Levi Mitchell Over 315.5 Passing Yards (+105 at Lucky Rebel)
Mitchell threw for a season-low 191 yards against Montreal and only 230 against Winnipeg, which was the first time all season that he went under 300 yards in consecutive games.
Look for him to hit the 300-yard mark for the ninth time this season today, and at +105, you get better odds than you may normally get with his over odds.
2) Kenny Lawler Over 73.5 Receiving Yards (-115 at Bovada)
When these two teams met in Edmonton in Week 9, Lawler had only four catches for 28 yards. But he has gone over this number in each of his last three games and eight times this season, and when Mitchell has been targeting him frequently (28 times in the last three games), you should like the prospect of a productive day.
3) Tiger-Cats First Half -3 (-115 at BetOnline)
The Ticats tend to start slowly, but I am going against that tendency today. This is a favorable matchup for Hamilton on both sides of the ball, which makes a positive start more likely.
Other CFL Betting Information
At Betting News, you can find CFL predictions and expert picks each week for matchups like Elks vs. Tiger-Cats.
Bookmark the site to keep up with our CFL content and be sure to check out our social media channels for even more CFL betting insight, as well as our takes and tips for the NFL and college football.