The Betting Perspective - BC @ CGY

BC @ Calgary (-6.5) - TOTAL 48.5

The second week of the Canadian Football League season kicks off Thursday night in Calgary when the Lions take on the Stampeders.

BC fell on the road in Regina to the Riders 33-29 in Week 1, featuring an almost comeback by the Lions in the second half. The full health of quarterback Michael Reilly is still uncertain so rookie Nathan Rourke is slated to start versus the Stampeders although the veteran signal caller will serve as the backup. BC will be without starting right tackle Ryker Mathews to injury, running back Shaq Cooper will also sit out a second straight week.

On the other side, the Stampeders fell 23-20 to the Toronto Argonauts in Week 1. Mistakes crippled Calgary including four trips to the red zone that failed to result in a Touchdown. Rene Paredes booted four field goals on the day and the Stampeders were stopped on a 3rd down attempt inside the 10-yard line. As for Calgary’s injury situation heading into Thursday, the Stamps lost starting linebacker Jamar Wall in Week 1 and he now sits on the 6-game injured list.

Looking at the betting perspective for this matchup, few things are certain in the CFL but Calgary head coach Dave Dickenson finding the answers after a defeat have become a regularity over the years. We have no idea many snaps Michael Reilly will see this week but if it’s a matchup between Nathan Rourke and Bo-Levi Mitchell, the play should be the home favourites. The 6.5 point spread is the smallest in this matchup since August of 2017, so the head to head success of the Lions can be overlooked.

Week 1 brought a lot of surprises, but the Stampeders are still a very good football team so expect a bounce back. The Lions are likely not as bad as their first-half performance against the Riders, but they are nowhere near the team that almost pulled off the upset to start the season.

Take the points with the Stampeders.

Pick: Calgary -6.5