3DownNation CFL picks straight-up & against the spread: Week 3

Week 3 of the Canadian Football League season is here, featuring four games across two nights.

Things begin in Hamilton on Friday, where the B.C. Lions will look to bounce back in a visit to the Tiger-Cats. Saturday will feature a triple-header as Ryan Dinwiddie hosts his old team for the first time in Ottawa, the Alouettes and Elks look to stay undefeated, and Saskatchewan visits Calgary.

We have nine contributors making picks straight-up and against the spread, and they’ll do so all season long. Enjoy.

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Friday, June 19: B.C. Lions at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (+1.5) at 7:30 p.m. EDT

The B.C. Lions will travel cross-country on a short week after suffering a devastating loss to Saskatchewan in their opener. Injuries to the receiving corps played a key role in that result, with Stanley Berryhill III, Jevon Cottoy, and Seven McGee all placed on the six-game injured list in the aftermath. Keon Hatcher is also a game-time decision, which could leave the Lions without four starting pass catchers. The Ticats, meanwhile, recorded an impressive win over the Blue Bombers last week, though they’ll be without starting cornerback Jamal Peters after his scary departure from that game. Zamari Walton will take over at one corner spot, while former Elk Devodric Bynum also draws in to upgrade the secondary. Offensively, Hamilton is still waiting for Kenny Lawler to break out, but a suspect Lions defence might be just what he and Bo Levi Mitchell need to connect.

ABBOTT: Defensive concerns will be the focus after last week for B.C., but it is the lack of healthy receivers that really scares me.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.

BALLANTINE: Given what the Ticats did to a much better defence last week, it looks like a rough start in Lotus Land.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilt

BORDIGNON: I know the Lions dropped a thriller to Saskatchewan last week, but there’s no way Nathan Rourke starts 0-2, right?

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

FILOSO: The Ticats’ defence has been suspect so far, but Rourke can’t throw it to himself. The Lions’ injuries are the difference.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.

GASSON: The Ticats’ offence is humming, and B.C. going further east on back-to-back road games is a tough ask.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Lions are banged up, and the Ticats started the season well.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.

HODGE: B.C.’s receiving corps is injury-riddled, and the Ticats are hummin’.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.

HOSKINS: Going three time zones while plagued with injuries is tough. Playing a team that has found its stride early won’t help.

Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.

KLEIN: Hamilton looked really impressive last week, but once the Lions got rolling, they looked really scary in Week 2. They’ll get their first win of the year this week.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Hamilton 7, B.C. 2

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Hamilton 7, B.C. 2

Saturday, June 20: Toronto Argonauts at Ottawa Redblacks (+1.5) at 1:00 p.m. EDT

This matchup marks the first time that Redblacks’ head coach Ryan Dinwiddie will face his former club after unceremoniously departing the Toronto Argonauts this offseason. Both sides have avoided the revenge angle thus far, but expect a little extra emotion to permeate the action. Ottawa should have Greg Bell in the lineup at running back after he missed Week 1 with a neck injury, though they’ll be missing defensive back Adrian Frye. The Argos will have a new right tackle protecting Chad Kelly with Kendall Randolph on the shelf, while they’ll face an interesting decision in the receiving corps, as Jake Herslow is ready to return after his replacement, Tyler Kahmann, went for over a hundred yards last week.

ABBOTT: Ryan Dinwiddie backed the wrong horse — at least for now.

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.

BALLANTINE: I want Ottawa to be good at football. I really do. Maybe someday, hopefully soon, they won’t be this easy to pick against.

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.

BORDIGNON: Ottawa is the lone team whose quarterback hasn’t played well yet this season, and I trust Chad Kelly more than Jake Maier right now.

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.

FILOSO: Ignore a rainy Week 1 showing, fresh off the bye. Ryan Dinwiddie gets his first win with his new team by beating his old one.

Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.

GASSON: Chad Kelly is better than Jake Maier.

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto

HERRERA-VERGARA: Chad Kelly had an impressive performance last week. I expect another good one against a shaky Ottawa team.

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.

HODGE: Toronto’s offence looks five steps ahead of Ottawa’s right now.

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.

HOSKINS: I’m going with the upset here. Dinwiddie gets back at his old club.

Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.

KLEIN: Ottawa doesn’t have the defence to slow down Chad Kelly, nor do they have the offence to keep up with him.

Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Toronto 7, Ottawa 2

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Toronto 7, Ottawa 2

Saturday, June 20: Montreal Alouettes at Edmonton Elks (+3.5) at 4:00 p.m. EDT

The Montreal Alouettes will put their unblemished record to the test against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, who enjoyed a bye last week after winning their season opener for the first time since 2019. Running back Stevie Scott III appears ready to return for the Als after missing their first two victories, veteran Najee Murray will provide a boost for the secondary, and the team has added Mario Alford in the return game, though it’s unclear if he’ll play. However, the potential absence of All-CFL linebacker Tyrice Beverette due to a neck injury looms large, and receiver Jerreth Sterns has already been ruled out. The Elks are much healthier heading into their home-opener, with offensive lineman Coulter Woodmansey and special teams ace Eteva Mauga-Clements expected to be the only significant losses. This game should carry extra weight for Austin Mack, who was cast aside by Montreal this offseason.

ABBOTT: As good as they’ve looked, Montreal have needed a pick-six and a blocked punt to win their first two games. They are due for a slip-up against a hungry Elks team.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

BALLANTINE: Davis Alexander’s numbers would have been astronomical last week if all his targets caught the ball as well as Tyson Philpot. This spread should be higher.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

BORDIGNON: Edmonton looked sharp in Week 1, and I expect them to keep this one tight, likely within a field goal. That said, I trust Davis Alexander and Montreal to find a way to close it out.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Edmonton.

FILOSO: Until Davis Alexander actually loses in the regular season, I won’t be picking against him.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

GASSON: Davis Alexander has to lose a regular-season game eventually. The Elks prove something is finally different this year.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

HERRERA-VERGARA: Davis Alexander will eventually lose in the regular season, but I don’t think it’s gonna be this week.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

HODGE: Edmonton’s much improved, but they’re still a rung below the Alouettes.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

HOSKINS: Montreal has had two thrilling finishes. The Elks’ defence doesn’t allow it this time.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

KLEIN: Montreal has looked very good so far. The Elks have taken a step forward, but not this far.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Montreal 6, Edmonton 3.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Montreal 5, Edmonton 4

Saturday, June 20: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Calgary Stampeders (+1.5) at 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Saskatchewan Roughriders came out of the gate flying in Week 2, but they’ll follow it up with a tough test against the Stampeders, who swept last year’s head-to-head meetings with the eventual Grey Cup champs. One or both of Jaylon Hutchings and Folarin Orimolade could be back for the Stampeders, as they’ve both been full participants in practice this week. The Riders are much more banged up and will be without a couple of key defensive starters in Rolan Milligan Jr. and Nelson Lokombo. There will also be a key change on special teams, as the recently acquired Mike Benson steps in for injured long snapper Aaron Crawford.

ABBOTT: If Saskatchewan’s offence looks half as good as last week, they’ll take this running away.