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Posted at 11:30 AM EST. Odds subject to change.

Edmonton +7 over B.C.

10:00 EST. First up, we’ll start with the 0-3 Elks, who, despite not posting a win yet this season, have played three competitive games against the Roughriders, Alouettes, and Argonauts, who are a combined 8-0 through three weeks here in 2024. The 0-3 Elks could easily be 3-0 and not 0-3 and now the market is reacting to that misleading record.

Last week, the Elks were in Toronto to face the Argos, where they lost that game on a last-second field goal by Lirim Hajrullahu, which put the Boatmen up for good, 39-36. Although the final result is disappointing, Edmonton’s newly minted starting quarterback, McLeod Bethel-Thompson (MBT), threw for over 300 yards (342) for the third straight game, and he posted four majors versus his old team in Toronto. The Elks have a good one in “MBT,” and as long as he is healthy and under center, they are going to be a tough team to put away.

In Week 1, The Elks’ mistake-filled fourth quarter transformed what looked to be a dream home opener into a nightmare. The Elks were up 21-8 going to the fourth quarter and ended up losing 29-21. Two key second-half fumbles, from running back Kevin Brown and quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, each led to Saskatchewan touchdowns. Instead of scoring twice, the Elks gave up two TD’s. Edmonton could have won that game by 24 points or more had they not fumbled twice in the 4th quarter. In game variance was in play and it did not bounce Edmonton’s way.

The Elks other loss was a 3-point one to the Alouettes in a game that Edmonton out-everythinged the Als including a commanding 28-17 edge in first downs. Edmonton receiving this many points in a game they can win outright is absurd.

On the other side of this equation, we find the B.C. Lions, who are 2-1 after going on the road to Winnipeg to knock off the once mighty Blue Bombers, 26-24, on a 42-yard Sean Whyte field goal with 2:37 left in that game. On paper, a win in Winnipeg is something that should signify a team has “made it,” but so far this season, the Bombers are a mess and now they are 0-3, so forgive us if we aren’t as excited about the Lions picking those bones. A win is nice, but we’ll note the Lions blew a 20-7 lead, and both of their touchdowns came on big plays, one for 29 yards and the other a 71-yard catch and scamper for pay dirt. The Lions' other win came against Calgary, who was idle in Week 3, while their loss came to the Argos in Week 1.

The Lions are expected to win this game but the point spread is the great equalizer, and in this case, that spread is inflated based on surface results only. However, the Elks have played a tough schedule, and they have not been outclassed or outworked in any of their three losses. Edmonton had its chances to win all of those games if a bounce or two had gone their way. These are not the dumpster fire Elks of recent years. This is a pretty damn good football team with one of, if not the best quarterback in the league. The value in this one is as good as it gets.

Sherwood

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