B.C. Lions quarterback Travis Lulay launches a pass against the Toronto Argonauts during first half CFL action in Toronto on Tuesday July 30, 2013.FRANK GUNN/The Canadian Press
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-4)
at Edmonton Eskimos (1-4)
Friday, 9 p.m (EDT)
The Ticats have a ridiculously large list of injured players, including centre Marwan Hage and newly acquired linebacker Brandon Isaac. Constantly losing men has made continuity impossible. Quarterback Henry Burris is the CFL's leading passer (1,510 yards) and, last week, threw for 395 yards and two touchdowns, but there were too many turnovers and the defence couldn't help hold a lead. The Eskimos have struggled on both sides of the ball and take loads of penalties. The Esks won the last meeting between the two, picking off Burris twice and sacking him four times in Week 2. Hamilton is winless on the road, while Edmonton has yet to win at home, so something has to give.
The pick: Hamilton
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-4)
at B.C. Lions (3-2)
Monday, 7 p.m. (EDT)
Humbled in Toronto, unable to score a single touchdown in Week 5, the Lions stumbled home deflated, third in the West Division and looking up at rivals Saskatchewan and Calgary. Redemption is not at hand, as it is only the struggling Blue Bombers visiting Vancouver for a holiday Monday tilt. A win will hardly erase what looked wrong for B.C. in Toronto, where, especially, veteran quarterback Travis Lulay was outplayed and outclassed by a rookie counterpart. Still, count on the Lions' offence to focus on punching the ball in for six, rather than kicking for three, and their visitors likely pose little threat with the Lions at home in a venue where the team has rarely lost.
The pick: B.C.