The Edmonton Elks (0-4) and the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-1) meet Thursday in a Week 5 matchup at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network/TSN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Elks vs. Roughriders odds and make our expert CFL picks and predictions.
The Elks are off to a dreadful start at 0-4. They are 1 of 2 winless teams in the CFL. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-3) are the other.
The Elks are last in the league in scoring, averaging just 12.3 points per game (PPG). They’ve scored 51 points in their 4 games — and that includes a 31-point outburst in a 12-point loss to Toronto in Week 3.
Edmonton was roughed up 26-7 as a 2.5-point underdog at Ottawa last weekend, and it has been outscored 48-7 in 2 road games. Overall, the Elks are 0-4 against the spread (ATS), with the Under cashing in 3 of those outings.
This is the 2nd meeting of the season between the 2 Western Division teams. The Roughriders took the 1st game 17-13 in Week 1, cashing as 2.5-point road underdogs with the Under (45) hitting.
Saskatchewan, which was on a bye last week, has scored 27 or more points in each of its past 2 games, losing at home 45-27 as a 7-point underdog to Winnipeg June 16, and topping Calgary 29-26 in overtime as a 2-point dog in Week 3.
Saskatchewan is a respectable 2-1 ATS with a 2-1 O/U mark — the Over cashed in its last 2 contests.
— Stats from the CFL official website
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Elks at Roughriders odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:18 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Elks +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Roughriders -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Elks +7.5 (-110) | Roughriders -7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 43.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS
Live games, analysis and more 7 days a week: Get ESPN+
Elks at Roughriders key injuries
Elks
- LB Woodly Appolon (knee) out
- OL Andrew Garnett (abdominal) out
- LB Enock Makonzo (foot) out
- LB Jordan Reaves (illness) questionable
- OL Josiah St. John (hand) out
Roughriders
- LB T.J. Brunson (illness) doubtful
- DB Rodney Clemons (ankle) out
- LB Matt Dean (foot) out
- OL Peter Godber (hand) out
- OL Jerald Hawkins (knee) out
- DL Micah Johnson (hip) questionable
- OL Colin Kelly (illness) questionable
- K Brett Lauther (leg) questionable
- WR Kalija Lipscomb (ankle) questionable
- WR Jake Wieneke (knee) out
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Elks at Roughriders picks and predictions
Prediction
Roughriders 26, Elks 20
Moneyline
Saskatchewan (-300) won the 1st matchup back in Week 1 in Edmonton, but it was a close battle. You can’t risk 3 times your potential return on the home side even if it is playing much better football, while coming off a rest from the bye.
PASS.
Against the spread
EDMONTON +7.5 (-110) is worth a roll of the dice because this is a 7 and a hook line. If it were a flat 7, I’d be more bearish, and certainly so if it were 6.5 or lower.
Edmonton has been dreadful so far as the offense has scored 13 or fewer points in 3 of 4 outings, including that Week 1 loss at home to the Roughriders. Still, this is the 1st time Saskatchewan has been favored this season, and 7.5 is an awfully big number.
Over/Under
OVER 43.5 (-110) is the lean … go really lightly on the total.
We have seen next to nothing from the Edmonton offense, outside of the 31-point explosion against Toronto in Week 3. Still, the Over is 11-5 in the past 16 for Saskatchewan following a bye week, while going 5-2 in the past 7 tries against teams with a losing record.
Plus, the Over is 5-1-1 in its past 7 games in July, too. That’s why the lean is to go high.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and us on Facebook.
Access NFL coverage:
SportsbookWire | BetFTW | TheHuddle Fantasy Football | BearsWire | BengalsWire | BillsWire | BroncosWire | BrownsWire | BucsWire | CardsWire | ChargersWire | ChiefsWire | ColtsWire | CommandersWire | CowboysWire | DolphinsWire | EaglesWire | FalconsWire | GiantsWire | JaguarsWire | JetsWire | LionsWire | NinersWire | PackersWire | PanthersWire | PatriotsWire | RaidersWire | RamsWire | RavensWire | SaintsWire | SeahawksWire | SteelersWire | TexansWire | TitansWire | VikingsWire | DraftWire | TouchdownWire | ListWire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=4160]