The CFL season pushes on as Week 14 starts Friday.
The pregame narrative: Nathan Rourke looked more like himself last week and I expect that momentum to continue. My best bet is for the BC Lions to cover the spread against the Montreal Alouettes. On Saturday, back the Edmonton Elks to beat the Calgary Stampeders.
Check out the best CFL Week 14 picks below.
CFL Week 14 picks
Best Bet: Lions +3.5 (-129)
Rourke is growing back into form each week, and I assume the progression will continue.
Also, the Alouettes' foundation seems to be cracking. They've been winning games but not in a comfortable way like they were earlier in the season.
Three of Montreal's last five wins came by five or fewer points. The two exceptions were victories against the measly 3-9 Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Even if BC can't pull off the upset, I think they can keep it within field goal range. Especially if Rourke's play from last week continues.
The Lions' QB shook off his rust from his season debut by responding with a 325-yard, three-touchdown performance against the 7-3-1 Ottawa Redblacks last Saturday. The Lions' offence scored 38 points.
Rourke is no stranger to being dominant in Canada. He threw for 3,349 and 25 scores while adding another seven rushing TDs in just 10 games for the Lions in 2022.
Key stat: BC has a +13.3 point differential in Rourke's 12 career starts.
Quick pick
Elks -2.5 (-115): Edmonton is 4-8, but the squad has played much better than its record indicates.
Seven of the Elks' eight losses have come by one possession. They've also won four of their past five matchups, including a 35-20 victory over the Stamps on Monday.
The recent success is partly on the shoulders of McLeod Bethel-Thompson. The 36-year-old quarterback has thrown for 306.7 yards per game over his last three starts. He tallied seven TDs and didn't turn the ball over once over that span.
In the Week 13 game against Calgary, Bethel-Thompson passed for 486 yards and three TDs.
The rematch moves to Edmonton, where I don't see the Stampeders having any more success. Calgary is 0-5 on the road this year.
Picks made at 9:35 a.m. ET on 09/04/24.
