Two weeks ago, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats missed the opportunity to lock down the CFL East Division title at home against the Calgary Stampeders. Still, a bye through to a home East Final awaits the Tiger-Cats provided they successfully navigate Friday night’s regular season finale vs. the Ottawa Redblacks (7:00 p.m. ET, CFL+).
The Tiger-Cats (10-7) went into their Week 19 matchup with the Stampeders knowing that an 11th win would put the division title beyond the reach of the Montreal Alouettes, as Hamilton owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.
But they dug themselves an early hole and could never quite catch up as Calgary left Tim Hortons Field with a 37-20 win and a rosier playoff outlook.
Still, because the Ticats defeated the Alouettes in both regular season matchups, a win over the Redblacks (4-13) will seal the division. If they tick off that box, they will not have to take the field again until hosting the East Final in two weeks.
Is there any chance that Ottawa could spoil things for Hamilton? Read on for our Redblacks vs. Tiger-Cats prediction and picks, as well as the best odds from top sports betting sites such as BetOnline.
Ottawa Redblacks vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa Redblacks | +13.5 (-110) | +613 | Over 52.5 (-110) |
| Hamilton Tiger-Cats | -13.5 (-110) | -900 | Under 52.5 (-110) |
Redblacks vs. Tiger-Cats Betting Trends
- The Redblacks are 6-11 against the spread this season.
- Ottawa is 3-10 SU and 5-8 ATS as an underdog, including 2-5 SU and 4-3 ATS as a road underdog.
- The over is 5-3 in the Redblacks’ road games this season.
- Hamilton is 8-9 against the spread this season, including 6-6 SU as a favorite.
- The Tiger-Cats are 4-4 SU and 2-6 ATS at home, including 3-3 SU and 1-5 ATS as a home favorite.
- The over is 5-3 in the Tiger-Cats’ home games this season.
Redblacks vs. Tiger-Cats Prediction and Picks
Prediction: Tiger-Cats to win
Last week, the Redblacks put in a strong shift at home against the Alouettes, but a scoreless third quarter for Ottawa proved to be a backbreaker in a 39-28 loss to Montreal.
Ottawa trailed only 16-10 at halftime but were blanked in the third quarter and eventually fell behind 33-13. Two late touchdowns made it 36-28 and created some suspense, but Jose Maltos put the game away with his fourth field goal of the game.
It was the team’s fifth straight loss, and yet again, Ottawa fought hard but came away with nothing to show for it. Six times this season, the Redblacks have lost by eight or fewer points, and last Saturday’s loss was the fourth time this season that the Redblacks were within a score in the fourth quarter but lost by double digits.
The Redblacks have losses in each of those categories vs. the Tiger-Cats this season. In Week 6, they lost 23-20 at Hamilton, giving up the go-ahead touchdown inside the final two minutes. The following week, they were within 20-15 early in the fourth quarter at home, but the Ticats secured a 30-15 win with a touchdown and a field goal.
So, the Redblacks could make things rather interesting vs. the Tiger-Cats, especially when the latter has had so many close games this season.
Seven of Hamilton’s games have been decided by five or fewer points, including five of their eight home games. They have won four of those seven games, but three of their four home losses have come in five such games at home.
That said, the Ticats have had two weeks to stew over the Calgary loss and prep for their regular season finale, and this is not a game that they should lose for any reason.
Redblacks vs. Tiger-Cats Picks
1) Tiger-Cats First Half Over 16.5 Points (-135 at Bovada)
The Tiger-Cats have had their share of slow starts this season, but given the stakes involved, I expect them to come out with intent and hit the ground running vs. the Redblacks. I would love this a lot more at -115 or -120, but I’m still happy to take it at these odds.
2) Tiger-Cats First Half -7.5 vs. Redblacks (-105 at BetOnline)
As hard as the Redblacks have fought even with nothing to play for besides pride, I don’t expect them to roll over vs. the Tiger-Cats. That said, I do think we will see a much better version of Hamilton than we saw against Calgary in Week 19. Will that be in part because of the competition? Perhaps, but whatever the case, it brings this pick into play.
3) Kenny Lawler to Score Hamilton’s First Touchdown (+250 at Lucky Rebel)
After recording eight touchdown catches in his first six games this season, Lawler ran into a bit of a dry spell with only two touchdowns in a seven-game period, both of which were in the Tiger-Cats’ home loss to the Toronto Argonauts on Labour Day.
But in recent weeks, the connection between Lawler and Bo Levi Mitchell has proven fruitful once again. In his last four games, Lawler has four touchdown catches, including one in the Week 19 loss to the Stampeders.
Three of Lawler’s 14 touchdown catches this season are vs. the Redblacks, two when the Tiger-Cats won at home in Week 6 and one in the win in Ottawa the following week. Overall, he has caught a touchdown pass in five of eight home games and six of seven games against fellow East Division teams, and 10 of his 14 touchdown catches this season are in five games against Hamilton’s Ontario rivals (seven in three games vs. Toronto and three in two games vs. Ottawa).
With that success in mind, this is a great pick. So is Lawler to find the end zone at least twice (also +250 at Lucky Rebel), which he has done in four of his five games against the Ticats’ provincial nemeses.
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