CFL best bets: Premier point production

On the night that the NFL returns to action with the Hall of Fame Game, the CFL kicks off its ninth week of the regular season with a showdown between the two teams that are leading the West Division. The 6-1 BC Lions travel three provinces east to take on the 5-2 Winnipeg Blue Bombers, whom they beat there in Week 3 by a surprising 30-6 score. The rematch can be seen on the CBS Sports Network, and our primary rooting interest involves a team prop:

The bet: BC Lions to score over 9.5 points in the first half (Barstool)

The Bombers allowed a league-low 20.6 points per game last season and have been only slightly more generous here in 2023 (21). The far stingier defense is on the other side, as the Lions have held opponents to 13.4. While those numbers may carry an expectation of limited scoring, the offenses for both teams are producing at least 25 points per game.

A knee injury to starting quarterback Vernon Adams has put Dane Evans under center for the Lions, and the veteran looked fantastic in his first start last week. He generated 16 first-half points and ended up completing 78% of his passes. He also pushed the ball downfield, averaging better than 10 yards per attempt despite being without star receiver Dominique Rhymes, who is back after a one-game absence.

The most recent time that Evans played Winnipeg was as the starting signal-caller for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last September. All he did was throw a career-best five touchdown passes, with three coming in the first half as he staked his team to a 34-14 lead.

Merely guiding the Lions to a touchdown and a field goal in the first 30 minutes will be sufficient tonight.