The Betting Perspective - East Final HAM @ TOR

Hamilton @ Toronto (-1): TOTAL 43.5

Here we go! Divisional Finals weekend and we start with the QEW rivalry, as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats take on the Toronto Argonauts at BMO Field with a spot in the Grey Cup on the line.

The Ticats come into this win-or-go-home contest riding high after a dominant victory over the Montreal Alouettes last week. Despite the finish, Hamilton's offense failed to impress, quarterback Jeremiah Masoli threw for less than 200 yards but did not turn the ball over in the Ticats' 23-12 win. On the other side of the ball, Mark Washington's defense shut the door on the Als and collected five turnovers in the East semifinal. Towards the end of the year, the Ticats did fall 31-12 to Toronto in Week 15, cementing the Argos as the number 1 seed coming into the playoffs.

The Toronto Argonauts have had an eventful week, after quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson attended the Toronto Raptors game on Thursday. An appearance that violated CFL covid protocols and ended the practice week for the four-year veteran. However, after some uproar from many around the league on both sides, Bethel-Thompson will be on the field barring a positive test before kickoff. The Argonauts have not lost at BMO Field this year, if you throw out a season-finale defeat to the Elks, a game that the Argos sat numerous starters including Bethel-Thompson. Toronto's defense recorded the second-most interceptions during the regular-season, but also had the second-fewest amount of sacks in 2021; the Argos might be able to force Jeremiah Masoli into some mistakes if they can replicate the pressure they put on Masoli November 12th.

The betting line for this game has been all over the place, but it's meaningless now considering Bethel-Thompson will play versus the Ticats.

The Argos are 4-1-1 against the spread in their last six games as a home favorite, but the Tiger-Cats are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.

The Ticats main issue offensively this year has been the inability to protect their quarterback but Hamilton's offensive line just had their best performance of the season last week against Montreal, holding a very good Als front to just one sack.

Hamilton is playing for the chance to play in a Grey Cup, at home. The Ticats offense improves enough to finally tame a team that have gotten the better of them in 2021.

Pick: Ticats +1