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The Edmonton Elks (0-3) and the BC Lions (2-1) meet Thursday for a Week 4 battle at BC Place. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (TSN/CFL+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Elks vs. Lions odds, and make our expert CFL picks and predictions.
The Elks have stumbled out of the chute with 3 consecutive losses to start the 2024 campaign. However, all 3 contests have been one-score games, including a pair of losses by 3 points each — at home to defending champ Montreal and on the road at Toronto. The Elks covered both outings.
Edmonton has scored at least 20 points in each game to date, cashing the Over in 2 of the 3 outings. That includes an Over (49) result in Week 3 at Toronto in a 39-36 loss. Unfortunately for the Elks, they’ve allowed at least 23 points in all 3 games, and 29 or more points in 2 of the setbacks.
The Lions rebounded from a disappointing 35-27 loss at Toronto in Week 1 to pick up consecutive wins — at home against Calgary and on the road vs. Winnipeg. The Lions edged the Blue Bombers 26-24 on the road as 2.5-point underdogs. The Over hit in the Week 1 loss, while the Under connected in the pair of victories.
Lions QB Vernon Adams Jr. (abdominal) is listed as questionable on the injury report, but coach Rick Adams said it is better than 50-50 that the QB starts. Plus, Wednesday reports indicated Adams had the green light to play, according to cfl.ca.
Adams has completed 66.3% of his passes for 1,038 yards, 6 TDs and 1 INT with 65 rushing yards and 1 TD through 3 games.
These teams met 3 times last season, with the Lions not only winning all 3 meetings, but posting 2 shutouts. BC has won 7 straight overall in the series, while covering all 7 of those contests.
BC won 22-0 in Week 2 last season as a 7-point favorite and cashed in Week 8 by winning on the road 29-0, while covering as a 7-point favorite. The Elks put up a fight in Week 16 at home but fell 37-29 as the Lions covered as 5.5-point favorites. The Under has cashed in 3 of the past 4 meetings.
Elks at Lions odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:57 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Elks +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Lions -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Elks +7 (-110) | Lions -7 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 52.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Elks at Lions key injuries
Elks
- WR Hergy Mayala (hamstring) out
Lions
- QB Vernon Adams Jr. (abdominal) questionable
- LB Ben Hladik (thumb) questionable
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Elks at Lions picks and predictions
Prediction
Lions 29, Elks 18
Moneyline
The Lions (-350) will cost 3½ times the potential return, and that’s way too much risk despite the fact they have won 7 straight in this series, including a pair of shutouts last season.
The Elks (+260) have really struggled to get into the win column, both last season, and certainly this season — they were 4-14 a year ago. However, Edmonton hasn’t been a pushover, and it has the tools on offense to at least make it somewhat close.
PASS.
Against the spread
The LIONS -7 (-110) have covered 7 in a row in this series, so until the Elks are able to get over the hump and grab a cover against their West Division rivals, you have to back the boys from Vancouver.
The Lions were awfully disappointing in Week 1 at Toronto, but have since pulled things together with a pair of solid wins. The offense has managed 26 or more points in all 3 games, and the defense has recovered after the poor initial showing.
Over/Under
UNDER 52.5 (-105) is a rather high number for this Week 4 matchup.
It’s a short week, so that’s always a good thing for the Under. In addition, the Under has cashed in 3 of the past 4 meetings in this series, with Edmonton failing to record a point in 2 of the 3 matchups last season.
BC has hit the Under in each of the previous 2 weekends, too, while Edmonton has managed a 2-1 run to the Over so far. The Elks have had issues figuring things out against the Lions, and that is likely to be the case again on Thursday.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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