CFL Week 3 Betting Guide

by Joey House - 6/19/2025

The CFL's Week 2 action kicked off with a mild upset, as 4.5-point home underdog Winnipeg opened its season with a 34–20 win over division rival BC. The game flew over the total of 48 points. Montreal followed with a 39–18 victory over Ottawa, covering as a 6-point favorite, with the 45.5 total also going over comfortably.

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Saturday started with another slight upset, as Calgary, catching 2.5 points on the road, moved to 2–0 by knocking off Toronto (0–2), 29–19. That game stayed under the 50.5 total. Saskatchewan wrapped up the week with a 28–23 win in Hamilton, covering as a 2-point road favorite, with the 53-point total staying under.

Through two weeks, favorites are 5–3 both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS), while totals are evenly split at 4–4 (Over/Under).

A couple of Doc's CFL handicappers had standout weeks. Griffin Murphy brought out the broom with a 4–0 sweep, highlighted by a 7-unit win in the Saskatchewan-Hamilton game. He netted 19 units overall, good for a $1,900 profit for $100 bettors. Doc’s improved to 4–0 on the season, cashing a 4-unit winner on Friday and his first 7-unit play of the year in the Calgary game.

Thursday, June 19: (2-0 SU/2-0 ATS) Montreal Alouettes at (0-1 SU/0-1 ATS) Edmonton Elks (9 pm EST)

Montreal -6.5 (-110) Total: 48.5 (-110) Moneyline: Montreal -280 Edmonton +230

Edmonton kicks off its 2025 home schedule by hosting the formidable Montreal Alouettes, the CFL's reigning powerhouse. After a demoralizing 31–14 Week 1 loss to BC, where their defense gave up 324 passing yards and three touchdowns, the Elks look to regroup coming off a bye. Offensively, they struggled, finishing with a league-low 248 total yards. Edmonton averaged just 6.6 yards per pass attempt and managed only 87 rushing yards, never establishing consistency on the ground.

Montreal continues to dominate on both sides of the ball. Its defense has allowed just 28 points through two games, carrying over the smothering form it showed last season. In Week 2, the Alouettes overwhelmed Ottawa with pressure and turnovers. Offensively, they rank second in scoring at 33.5 points per game and in rushing at 131 yards per game, while their defense leads the league in fewest yards allowed, giving up only 257 per game.

Edmonton faces a steep challenge. The Elks rank last in total offense (248 yards per game), passing (161 ypg), and scoring (14 ppg), and their defense is also at the bottom, allowing 448 yards per game. Montreal has also had the upper hand at Commonwealth Stadium, going 4–0 straight up and 3–1 against the spread in their last four visits. That follows a previous stretch where they went 0–6 straight up and 3–3 ATS. In last year's matchup, Montreal won 23–20 but failed to cover as 3.5-point favorites, missing by the hook.

Friday, June 20: (2-0 SU/2-0 ATS) Saskatchewan Rough Riders at (0-2 SU/0-2 ATS) Toronto Argonauts (7:30 pm EST)

SSK -3 (-115) Total: 48 (-110) Moneyline: SSK -165 Toronto +140

Picked by many to win the Western Division, Saskatchewan is living up to expectations with a perfect 2–0 record, both straight up and against the spread. The ageless Trevor Harris, now 39, has posted the second-highest quarterback rating among starters with two games played, completing 71.4 percent of his passes. He's benefiting from a reliable receiving duo in Samuel Emilus and Damonte Coxie, who each have 12 receptions and one touchdown. The Roughriders also boast a backfield featuring two former 1,000-yard Argonauts: A.J. Ouellette and Ka'Deem Carey.

Defensively, though, Saskatchewan has work to do. They rank last in the CFL in passing yards allowed per game (343.5) and sit fifth in points allowed (24.5 ppg). If they want to be considered serious Grey Cup contenders, that side of the ball will need to improve.

Toronto could certainly use either of those former backs. The Argonauts are last in the league in rushing, averaging just 50.5 yards per game. Nick Arbuckle is filling in at quarterback for the injured Chad Kelly. While his 582 passing yards are third-most in the league, his four interceptions are the highest in the CFL.

Toronto's offseason losses along the defensive line have taken a toll. The Argos allowed 125 rushing yards per game through the first two weeks, and last week's 29–19 loss to Calgary came with another blow—defensive tackle Demarcus Christmas, one of the replacements on the line, went down with an injury.

The Argonauts have held the edge in this series recently, going 5–1 straight up and 3–3 against the spread in the last six meetings. That lone loss came during Chad Kelly's nine-game suspension, a 30–23 defeat. Cameron Dukes started that game but was replaced by Arbuckle after throwing a game-losing pick-six.

Toronto should be able to move the ball offensively. The key will be limiting turnovers and finding a way to slow down Saskatchewan's strong rushing attack.

Saturday, June 21: (0-2 SU/0-2 ATS) Ottawa Redbacks at (2-0 SU/2-0 ATS) Calgary Stampeders (4:00 pm EST)

Ottawa -1 (-115) Total: 51.5 (-110) Moneline: Ottawa -120 Calgary +100

All eyes in Ottawa are on the status of quarterback Dru Brown, who suffered a leg injury in the season-opening loss to Saskatchewan. He's been limited in practice and is officially listed as a game-time decision. His absence was felt in last week's 39–18 loss to Montreal, as Ottawa's quarterbacks combined to go 24-of-34 for just 210 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions.

A once-stout Redblacks defense, which ranked second in points allowed per game in 2024, has regressed sharply. Through two games, they've given up a league-worst 70 points—an average of 35.0 per game.

Calgary, meanwhile, is thrilled with its offseason acquisition of quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. The former BC Lion has quickly become the engine of a high-powered offense that is tied for first in scoring (67 points, 33.5 per game), first in yards per pass attempt (11.0), and second in total offense (399.5 ypg), and passing yards (585). Adams has also contributed on the ground, ranking eighth in the league with 87 rushing yards on 10 carries and a touchdown.

The backfield is anchored by running back Dedrick Mills, who leads the CFL in touchdowns (4) and ranks second in rushing yards (122). Calgary's defense has been solid, ranking third in total yards allowed (356 ypg), rushing defense (57 ypg), and points allowed (22.5 ppg). The pass defense has given up 598 yards over two games but has come up with two interceptions, including a 20-yard pick-six by defensive back Adrian Greene. Notably, the Stampeders remain the only team yet to allow a rushing touchdown this season.

Calgary also finds itself in a rare spot: a home underdog against Ottawa for the first time. Over the past 20 years, the Stampeders are 12–7–1 straight up and 14–6 against the spread when defending their home field. That includes their Week 1 win over Hamilton, where they covered as 3-point home dogs.

Saturday, June 21: (1-0 SU/1-0 ATS) Winnipeg Blue Bombers at (1-1 SU/1-1 ATS) BC Lions (7:00 pm EST)

Winnipeg -3 (-115) Total: 50.5 (-110) Moneline: Winnipeg -165 BC +140

In an unusual scheduling twist, this week features a rematch of last week's 34–20 BC victory over Winnipeg. But this time, there are several key personnel changes that could impact the outcome.

Winnipeg will get starting quarterback Zach Collaros back after he served a one-game suspension for failing to make himself available for a drug test. In his absence, Chris Streveler performed admirably, throwing for 246 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The Bombers also lost running back Brady Oliveira early in the game to a shoulder injury after just two carries—one of which went for 43 yards. His replacement, rookie Matthew Peterson, looked anything but inexperienced, rushing for 130 yards on 23 carries (5.7 yards per attempt), including a 38-yard touchdown.

While Winnipeg regains its starting quarterback, BC may be without theirs. Nathan Rourke suffered a pulled oblique in the fourth quarter and was limited in practice on Tuesday before being listed as a DNP on Wednesday. If he can't go, veteran Jeremiah Masoli will get the start. The 14-year CFL veteran, now with his third team, went 7-of-10 for 84 yards and one interception in relief.

BC's offense remains dangerous regardless of who's under center. The Lions lead the CFL in passing and are the only team with four receivers already over 100 yards. Their defense, however, will need to step up after surrendering 440 total yards to Winnipeg last week—especially with Collaros returning. Unlike in the previous matchup, both teams now enter with equal rest and prep time, as Winnipeg no longer has the benefit of a Week 1 bye.

To give you an idea of how long Masoli's been around: back in 2008 and 2009, when Oregon's LeGarrette Blount wasn't taking swings at Boise State defenders, he was taking handoffs from Masoli. While he's a decent and experienced backup, BC will clearly miss Rourke if he's sidelined. On the other side, the question becomes how sharp Collaros will be after a week away from game action.

If recent history in Vancouver is any indicator, we could be in for another offensive shootout. In the last 10 meetings between these two teams at BC Place, the total has gone over seven times, with an average combined score of 56.9 points. Whether it's the rivalry or the Pacific air, these games tend to light up the scoreboard.

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Start:	June 19, 2025 @ 10:00 PM
Expert:	Nick Menken
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CFL Week 3 Betting Guide

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