The Edmonton Elks (0-2) visit the BC Lions (1-1) Thursday to open Week 3 in the CFL. Kickoff at BC Place is set for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Elks vs. Lions odds and lines and make our best CFL picks, predictions and bets.
Edmonton will try its luck on the road for the first time this season after being upset 16-12 at home by the Ottawa RedBlacks in Week 1 and falling 30-13 to the Montreal Alouettes last week. The losses have come despite the Elks ranking second in yards per game for (371.0) and first in passing YPG against (141.0). QB Trevor Harris‘ 3 interceptions haven’t helped.
The Lions have a league-high 409.0 yards per game on offense as a banged up QB Michael Reilly has completed 75.4% of his passes for 545 yards and 1 touchdown against no interceptions. Backup Nathan Rourke threw for 194 yards and 2 TDs against 2 INTs in Week 1’s 33-29 shootout loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Elks at Lions odds, spread and lines
Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Elks +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Lions -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Elks +3.5 (-120) | Lions -3.5 (-115)
- Total: 46.5 (O: -120 | U: -115)
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Elks at Lions odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Elks 27, Lions 22
Money line
Back the ELKS (+140) to get their first win of 2021 as underdogs for the first time.
Edmonton scored just 12 and 13 points in its first two games of the season, respectively, but should be able to find the end zone with more regularity against a BC team that allowed a league-high 33 points to the Roughriders in Week 1. Harris has thrown for a league-high 566 yards through two games but has been lucky with untimely interceptions.
Elks RB James Wilder is also the league rushing leader with 174 yards on the ground and that balanced attack just needs the defense to be adequate against the Lions with Reilly (elbow) listed as questionable once again.
Against the spread
The half-point hook on this line is enough insurance to back the ELKS +3.5 (-120) with a 3-point cushion in the event of a loss.
Along with Reilly being questionable for the Lions, RB James Butler (ankle) was ruled out Wednesday. He’s his team’s leading rusher, albeit in a balanced ground attack.
Over/Under
The Under has been the dominant trend in the CFL through two weeks but the opening line of Week 3 seems to have overcorrected in a matchup of two teams who’ve already allowed 30 or more points in a game this season.
Back the OVER 46.5 (-120) regardless of who’s under center for the Lions.
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