School is finally out for me, and we’re heading into a long weekend with a full slate of CFL action this week. I’ll be camping on my private island (well, I suppose in theory it belongs technically to Charles II, but I digress), and will be following along on internet radio. Let’s go!

In league news this week:

• Dalton Schoen is headed to the 6-game injured list after suffering what appears to be a foot injury last week; with fellow star receiver Kenny Lawler also on the shelf for a while, Winnipeg’s receiving corps is suddenly looking thinner than it has in many seasons.
• BC released former NFL WR Travis Fulgham this week; with a deep receiving group, and with Jevon Cottoy getting healthy, he was slipping down the depth chart despite a very cool first career TD catch in Week 1. His bad drop last week against Winnipeg probably didn’t help matters much either.
• This was announced a few weeks ago, but slipped my mind to mention in league news until just now: for the first time since 2007, the CFL will be broadcasting games on regular network TV. CTV, which is owned by Bell Media (who also own current rightsholder TSN) will be simulcasting the TSN broadcasts on its regular channels. This is a significant shift in broadcasting behaviour – CTV hasn’t had CFL games on its programming since 1986, and public broadcaster CBC used to share broadcasting rights with TSN from 1987 through 2007 – meaning this is the first time in decades that Canadian viewers don’t have to buy a cable package with TSN in order to see Canadian football on their screen. CTV will broadcast Saturday afternoon games from September onwards, including the playoffs and the Grey Cup championship game – a very welcome development, in my opinion.

Onto the games!

WEEK 3 RECAPS

Ottawa 21 vs. Montreal 47: Don’t let the final score fool you: this game was even more lopsided than than you think. The Als, courtesy of another tremendous defensive effort, were up 30-1 at halftime; the REDBLACKS were never truly in this game. Cody Fajardo threw for 363 yards and three TDs, and added another on the ground. While Canadian receivers Tyson Philpot and Kaion Julien-Grant dominated the stat lines for Montreal, American receiver Reggie White, Jr. had a huge game, making his first appearance in 600 days following a devastating knee injury in October 2022 – he had two TDs on the night.

PICK: Montreal

RESULT: Montreal

BC 26 vs. Winnipeg 24: The Bombers played a much better game this past week than either of their previous two, but it still wasn’t enough, as the home side lost yet again to fall to 0-3 on the year for the first time since 2012. Winnipeg’s secondary was absolutely shredded by Lions pivot Vernon Adams, Jr., who had 398 passing yards and two TDs, which were both caught by All-Star receiver Alex Hollins (7 catches for 215 yards on the night). QB Zach Collaros still hasn’t thrown for a TD yet through three games – but the Bombers hung around this game due to backup Chris Streveler scoring three on the ground for them. The passing game clearly needs some work.

PICK: BC

RESULT: BC

Edmonton 36 vs. Toronto 39: The Elks’ offence through the first three weeks of the season hasn’t been a problem per se… but their defence sure is. Edmonton and Toronto traded blows all game (though the Elks never led outright once in the contest), but the D couldn’t come up with even a single timely stop. The Argos’ Boris Bede hit a walkoff field goal from 37 yards out to seal the deal for the home side and improve to 2-0 on the year. Facing his old team, Elks QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson had a very impressive 4 TD outing, while current Argos pivot Cameron Dukes went 18-21 for 217 yards, two passing TDs, and a rush TD. Alas, despite playing more competitively in all of their games to start the season, Edmonton falls to 0-3 for the third straight campaign.

PICK: Toronto

RESULT: Toronto

Hamilton 20 vs. Saskatchewan 36: In a rematch of last week’s game, the Roughriders once again came out on top as they played host this time. RB AJ Ouellette led the way for Saskatchewan with 98 rush yards and 47 receiving yards, plus a pretty solid first half from Trevor Harris, who had two passing TDs before he went down with a knee injury. While the play looked not great and Harris did appear to be in some pain, he returned to the sidelines to watch for the rest of the matchup, with former Michigan man Shea Patterson closing things out. Harris was apparently just held out for precautionary reasons as the halftime lead continued to grow through the final two frames. Hamilton’s offensive issues continue – of most particular concern, star receiver Tim White was targeted six times on the night and finished with zero catches – something’s not right there. Also of concern is the D – that’s now three straight games of conceding more than 30 points. It all needs work, but particularly the young, inexperienced secondary. It’s just Jamal Peters and a bunch of dudes – he needs some support.

PICK: Saskatchewan

RESULT: Saskatchewan

BYE: Calgary (1-1)

WEEK 4 PREVIEWS

Edmonton (0-3) vs. BC (2-1), Thursday, June 27th, 10:00 PM EDT (TSN, CFL+): The winless Elks take on the Lions at home. Considering BC shut them out twice last season, you can bet the coaching staff is on high alert – especially with yet another 0-3 start to the year. If Edmonton drops to 0-4 I would expect to see changes from above soon – despite the fact that replacing HC/GM Chris Jones at this stage in the year would mean a very, very long time for a rudderless ship of a season. If there’s solace for Edmonton, the offence has been overall effective this year, though the run game could definitely be more engaged. BC has performed well at home as well, and the O-line, after a rocky start against Toronto in Week 1, really turned it around last week against Winnipeg. Grey Cup contenders are not really clearly established until early August at the very earliest – but the initial results are looking good for the Leos.

PICK: BC

Montreal (3-0) vs. Toronto (2-0), Friday, June 28th, 7:30 PM EDT (TSN, CFL+): This will be an early test to see if the Alouettes are really everything we’ve hyped up them to be so far this season – the Argos are unquestionably the best team they’ll face to date. Also at stake is an early season hold on first place in the East – I am curious to see if the Argos’ D is going to be up to the task of dealing with receivers Tyson Philpot and Kaion Julien-Grant. Considering the Double Blue gave up 36 to the Elks last week, I think they’re going to be in for a shootout or otherwise a very rough night. Cameron Dukes is going to need to scramble a lot this week, I think.

PICK: Montreal

Winnipeg (0-3) vs. Calgary (1-1), Saturday, June 29th, 7:00 PM EDT (TSN, CBSSN, CFL+): The Bombers are trying to avoid going 0-4 for the first time since 2012, when their new stadium, now known as Princess Auto Stadium, was in the process of being opened and they opened their season with four straight road games. Zach Collaros has still yet to throw his first TD pass of the year, while the secondary has looked very porous and inexperienced. Calgary’s coming off a bye, probably feeling refreshed – their win this year comes against a hapless Ti-Cats, while their loss was a close one to the top-ranked BC Lions on the road. They’re still in the “working out the kinks” phase, but they have a chance to improve above .500 again facing a Bombers side missing two top receivers to injury. Brady Oliveira will be back in as lead rusher after being on the bench last week recovering from injury, but as good as he is, I expect the D-line will be focusing on him intently.

PICK: Calgary

Hamilton (0-3) vs. Ottawa (1-1), Sunday, June 30th, 7:00 PM EDT (TSN, CBSSN, CFL+): The REDBLACKS ring in the Canada Day Monday holiday with a Sunday evening game, a fireworks show, and a concert by Big Wreck. Weather looks pretty good too – were I not camping I think I’d be there. After getting whooped by the Alouettes last week, the REDBLACKS have much to ponder. Going up against a winless Ti-Cats team is probably a good way of restoring their footing – the Tabbies secondary has had a similarly difficult start to the year as Ottawa’s. Of particular concern for Hamilton fans will be whether or not Tim White finds a way to turn things around – he’s not the primary reason why the team is winless to start the year, but a guy with his contract needs to get back to producing quickly if they want to turn things around.

PICK: Ottawa

BYE: Saskatchewan (3-0)

STANDINGS AND STATS

East Division Standings

West Division Standings

Passing Yards

1. Adams, Jr., BC – 1038
2. Bethel-Thompson, EDM – 978
3. Mitchell, HAM – 975

Passing TDs

1. Fajardo, MTL – 7
2. Harris, SSK – 7
3. Adams, Jr., BC – 6

Rushing Yards

1. Stanback, BC – 187
2. Carey, TOR – 169
3. Fletcher, MTL – 163

Receiving Yards

1. Hollins, BC – 402
2. Philpot, MTL – 340
3. McInnis, BC – 289

Defensive Tackles

1. Hladik, BC – 25
2. Woods, BC – 24
3. Milligan, SSK – 24

Sacks

1. Curtis, EDM – 3
2. Barlow, HAM – 3
3. Archibald, BC – 2

Interceptions

1. Avery, SSK – 2
2. Houston, CGY – 1
3. Beverette, MTL – 1

Field Goals

1. Whyte, BC – 8
2. Paredes, CGY – 7
3. Cote, MTL – 7

PICK POOL

Big week for me last week. Balls too. Can’t believe that we’ve been running this pick’em pool since 2017 and I still haven’t ever won it despite allegedly being the expert on this website. I have some work to do on that front.

Remember to submit your picks here! https://www.pooltracker.com/join.asp?poolid=231808

Enjoy the games, everyone.