The Betting Perspective - 108th Grey Cup WPG @ HAM

Winnipeg (-3.5) @ Hamilton: TOTAL 44

After 67 games, it all comes down to this, the CFL title game in Hamilton, Ontario. The Tiger-Cats host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, looking to end the longest Grey Cup drought in Canada. The 108th edition of the Championship tilt features a rematch of the 2019 Grey Cup, when the Bombers hoisted their first trophy in 29 years. The Tiger-Cats haven't won the Grey Cup since 1999 and have an opportunity to snap the streak on their home field, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since the Roughriders downed the Ticats in Regina at the 2013 Grey Cup.

For the Bombers, they have been dominant this season and were rewarded earlier this week at the annual CFL awards. Quarterback Zach Collaros took home top prize as the league's Most Outstanding Player, linebacker Adam Bighill took home defensive player honors, Mike O'Shea was named Coach of the Year and Stanley Bryant won the top offensive lineman award. Winnipeg handled the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week to reach the Championship game for the second straight season. The Bombers also welcomed back 2019 Grey Cup MOP Andrew Harris to their roster in the West Final, Harris ran for 136 yards and a touchdown. The Bombers beat the Riders 21-17 despite Zach Collaros throwing three interceptions in the contest, it was the first time in 2021 that Collaros had chucked multiple interceptions in a game.

Winnipeg beat Hamilton in the regular season all the way back in Week 1, but Hamilton are a completely different team. The Ticats have a new quarterback from the opening game in Dane Evans, different bookend offensive tackles, a couple of new starting receivers and a defense that believes they can shut down anyone.

As for the Ticats, Dane Evans rescued his team last week versus the Argos after replacing starter Jeremiah Masoli, Evans was perfect on his 16 pass attempts, throwing for a touchdown and rushing for two more. Running back Don Jackson rushed for nearly 100 yards and has given the Ticats a new sense of attack in their running game, especially in the backend of the season. On the defensive side of the ball, Mark Washington's group held Toronto out of the endzone a week ago and have turned the heat up on opposing quarterbacks in the home stretch of the year. Canadian defensive lineman Ted Laurent will not suit up for Hamilton in the Grey Cup after an emergency appendectomy, so rookie Lee Autry II will step into that spot on the roster. The Ticats will also welcome back safety Mike Daly to the lineup for the title game, Daly has missed most of the season with injury.

Hamilton quarterback Dane Evans hasn't lost at Tim Horton's Field since the final game of the 2018 season, Evans' first start in the Canadian Football League.

The betting line for this contest has seen some movement in the direction of the Ticats, Hamilton have come down a full point from -4.5 to -3.5 and even a field goal in some spots.

Unlike 2019, the Bombers have been the hunted this season, but they've answered the test despite their 0-4 against the spread record in their last four games as a favorite.

On the other hand, the Tiger-Cats are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 playoff home games and are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games overall.

The wait in Hamilton might be coming to an end, but we're getting more than a field goal in the game, so the line makes sense to grab the home team.

Pick: Hamilton +3.5