CFL best bets: Powerhouse exerts its will

The excitement of Canadian Football League action was on full display over the opening weekend, when three of the four games were decided in the final three minutes. The lone exception was Winnipeg’s 42-31 victory over Hamilton, which saw the Blue Bombers jump out to a big lead at home by scoring three touchdowns in the first quarter. Now they travel across the prairies to face the likewise 1-0 Saskatchewan Roughriders in another game carried by the CBS Sports Network, and an appealing plus-money team prop has caught our eye:

The bet: Winnipeg Blue Bombers to win both halves (+175 Barstool)

The Bombers have been the league’s premier franchise for several years, competing in the last three Grey Cups. They became champions both before and after the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID, and then their quest for a three-peat fell short by a point in last year’s loss to the Toronto Argonauts.

Quarterback Zach Collaros was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in each of the last two seasons. He threw a touchdown pass on Winnipeg’s first three possessions a week ago, hitting a different receiver each time. And running back Brady Oliveira was the league’s only rusher to top the century mark, finishing with 113 yards.

Meanwhile, the Riders enter this game without top cornerback Nick Marshall and three of their best wide receivers. Not only are Kian Schaffer-Baker, Derel Walker, and Brayden Lenius all on the six-game injured list, but the man who would be throwing to them, Trevor Harris, is considered a game-time decision with a hip injury.

Despite the matching records, the Bombers already seemed a notch better — and being healthier gives them an even greater advantage.