Last week, Nathan Rourke the BC Lions made a serious statement about their aspirations and ability to play past the first weekend in November with a thorough thumping of the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Field. Back at BC Place tonight, the Lions will look to keep rolling vs. the visiting Toronto Argonauts (10:00 p.m. ET, CFL+).
After two disappointing road losses in Ontario against the Argonauts and Redblacks, the Lions stood at 5-7 entering Week 15 and in a rather precarious position.
But they flipped the script on the Redblacks with a 38-27 win two weeks ago, then went to Alberta last week and jumped on the Stampeders from the outset on the way to a 52-23 mauling.
Entering Week 17, the Lions remain fourth in the West Division, but they are still on course for a postseason berth.
That berth will be nearly certain for the Lions with a win vs. the Argonauts (5-9), whose postseason hopes are on their last legs after a crushing two-point home loss to the rising Montreal Alouettes last Friday.
With Nick Arbuckle sidelined due to a calf injury suffered the previous week against Edmonton, the offense found the going tough with Jarrett Doege. But the Argos were still in position to potentially snatch a third straight walk-off win before Doege threw a decisive interception inside Montreal territory.
With a tough road remaining, it appears to be nearly curtains for Toronto. But Arbuckle returns tonight, and he lit up the Lions for 443 yards and three touchdowns in a nearly flawless performance in a Week 12 win at BMO Field.
Can he and Toronto upset the odds tonight at BC Place? Read on for our Argonauts vs. Lions prediction and picks, which include the best odds from top online sportsbooks such as BetOnline.
Toronto Argonauts vs. BC Lions Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Argonauts | +7 (-105) | +256 | Over 57.5 (-115) |
| BC Lions | -7 (+125) | -315 | Under 57.5 (-105) |
Argonauts vs. Lions Betting Trends
- The Argonauts are 2-4 SU and 3-3 ATS as a road underdog this season.
- Overall, Toronto is 4-7 SU and 6-5 ATS as an underdog this season.
- The under is 3-2-1 in Toronto’s road games this season, but the over has hit in five of their last seven games after hitting only twice in their first seven games this season.
- The Lions are 3-2 SU and ATS as a home favorite this season and 3-3 SU and ATS overall at home this season.
- Overall, BC is 4-5 SU and ATS as a favorite this season.
- The over has hit in each of BC’s last eight games, including each of their last four home games.
Argonauts vs. Lions Prediction and Picks
Prediction: Lions to win
In Week 12 in Toronto, the Lions took a 14-3 lead after a quarter but were outscored 49-20 across the final three quarters as the Argonauts defended their home field behind arguably the best start of Arbuckle’s CFL career.
His return tonight should see the Argonauts move the ball better vs. the Lions than they did without him against the Alouettes.
Doege completed 25 of 37 passes but averaged only 5.6 yards per attempt, and running back Spencer Brown was limited to just 11 yards on 10 offensive touches (seven rushing yards on seven carries and four receiving yards on three catches). In total, Toronto compiled only 216 yards.
That negated a fairly decent defensive effort for the Argonauts, who allowed only 288 yards (at 5.2 yards per play) against the Alouettes, who were coming off of a 48-point, 530-yard performance in a road upset of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Expect the offense to be better, the defense to be worse, and the outcome to be the same this week.
You never know what you are going to get with the Lions, but at their best, they are worthy of consideration as a real threat to make a run to a Grey Cup berth, whether they have to go through the West or the East. I lean to that best—or somewhere close to it, at least—being on display tonight at home, as they will not want to take any chances with letting Toronto’s offense stay within striking distance.
Unfortunately for the Argonauts, this should be the end of the line for their playoff hopes. Could a different outcome have occurred with a healthy Chad Kelly? Perhaps, but even getting into the conversation is a positive result after a 2-8 start to the season.
Argonauts vs. Lions Picks
1) Argonauts/Lions Over 57.5 (-110 at Everygame)
None of the Lions’ first six games hit this, but in the eight games since, there have been 60 (home), 70 (home), 79 (away), 54 (home), 86 (away), 67 (away), 65 (home), and 75 (away) points.
2) BC Lions Team Total Over 33.5 Points (+100 at Bovada)
In their last seven games, the Lions have scored 33 (home), 41 (away), 36 (home), 34 (away – vs. the Argonauts), 33 (away), 38 (home), and 52 (away) points. Evens feels like a steal here, especially against Toronto. Famous last words? We will see, but there is every reason to be confident.
3) Jake Herslow (Toronto) Over 63.5 Receiving Yards (-115 at Lucky Rebel)
Even with Doege making the throws last week, Herslow didn’t have a terrible game against Montreal, catching six passes for 51 yards and scoring a touchdown for the sixth straight game.
Arbuckle’s return should see Herslow be a key contributor for the Argonauts vs. the Lions, against whom he had five catches for 149 yards and two scores in Week 12.
Also, Herslow is +800 to score 2+ touchdowns tonight. I feel it would be rather negligent to not recommend a sprinkle on it. His performance last time out against BC is one of three two-touchdown games during his six-game scoring streak.
Other CFL Betting Information
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