MONTREAL ALOUETTES AT WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (+8, 48)
Winnipeg will try to run the ball and with backs like Fred Reid and Yvenson Bernard, they should. The problem is that it is exactly what the Alouettes will be expecting and have prepared for during practice. Will Michael Bishop be able to create chaos in Montreal’s secondary by throwing deep and take advantage of tall WR Adarius Bowman against two cornerbacks that are only 5-foot-9? That might be the key. But Bishop will need his offensive line to contain the Alouettes front seven if he is going to take advantage of that apparent mismatch. The defensive unit will also need to step up to slow down Anthony Calvillo and his impressive arsenal of receivers. The Bombers have the second-worst offensive record in the CFL and are facing the second most potent attack.
MONTREAL (5 - 1) at WINNIPEG (2 - 4) - 8/15/2009, 8:00 PM
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Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 4-3 against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG is 5-2 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seaso
Montreal (5-1) @ Winnipeg (2-4)-- Alouettes rebounded from first loss by blanking Toronto last week; all five of their wins are by 13+ points-- Als have road wins by 13 at Calgary, 33 in Regina, before 33-19 loss in Edmonton. Bombers lost three of last four games; underdog is 6-0 vs the spread in their games this season. Winnipeg was -2 in turnovers a week ago in Calgary (23-31), after being +13 in first five games of the season.
8:00 PM
MONTREAL vs. WINNIPEG
Montreal is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Winnipeg
Montreal is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Winnipeg
Winnipeg is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Winnipeg is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
The Alouettes responded to their first loss of the season by thoroughly dominating the Argonauts in Week 6 CFL betting action. The Als pitched a shutout, a rarity in the CFL. The defence was absolutely swarming, as the unit picked up seven sacks and forced three turnovers en route to the 25-0 whitewashing. QB Anthony Calvillo did everything except throw for a touchdown in the game, completing 35 of 43 passes for 395 yards. Montreal may have the best offensive numbers in the league, but without better efforts in the red zone, the team won’t win the Grey Cup. CFL wagering pundits are critical of the fact that the Alouettes have had problems punching the ball into the end zone from the 20 yard-line in, which is why K David Duval has had so much work to do this season.
Through one half of football, the Blue Bombers looked like they were going to get their doors absolutely blown off by the Stampeders at McMahon Stadium. In spite of a 23-3 halftime deficit, the Bombers beat the Canadian Football betting lines by running the ball down Calgary’s throat in the second half. Both RB Fred Reid (17 carries, 167 yards, 2 TDs) and RB Yvenson Bernard (6 carries, 54 yards) had tremendous games. QB Michael Bishop is going to be the key against the Alouettes though. He completed 16 of 30 passes for 209 yards in his second game with the Blue Bombers. If it is going to make the postseason, Winnipeg is going to need a lot more from its new signal caller.
On one glance, it sure looks like Montreal is the proper play. Its defence is crushing opponents right now, and with a brand new quarterback still getting used to things in Winnipeg, life could be difficult for the Bombers offence. But this is a new day, and Bishop will be making his debut at home. Remember, Winnipeg already destroyed Calgary at home this season, and though the Blue Bombers may not put up the outright ‘W’ this week, expect to see a close enough contest to stick within the number against the defending Eastern Division champs.
Canadian Bacon 8/15
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