The Betting Perspective - OTT @ EDM

Ottawa @ Edmonton (-6.5) - TOTAL 47

by Kyle Melo

Week 1 of the CFL concludes with a matchup in Edmonton, as the Ottawa Redblacks take on the newly-named Elks.

A lot has changed in the nation's capital since the last time we played football. Long-time head coach Rick Campbell bolted across the country to take over the BC Lions, so Ottawa welcomes former Bombers offensive coordinator Paul LaPolice as their new head coach. LaPolice will have a familiar face running his offense in quarterback Matt Nichols, the two spent four seasons together in Winnipeg. Also gone from the Ottawa Redblacks is slotback Brad Sinopoli, who decided to retire earlier this year. The changes at quarterback and head coach in Ottawa do bring some optimism, but a lot of voices around the CFL believe the Redblacks will have some major growing pains.

On the other side, the Edmonton Elks will debut not only their new logo but a new head coach, Jaime Elizondo is back in the Canadian Football League for the first time since 2018. Elizondo reunites with his quarterback in Ottawa Trevor Harris, the two together won a Grey Cup in 2016. The Elks not only possess one of the premier quarterbacks in the CFL but maybe the best receiver group in the league. Derel Walker is back in Edmonton after a stint with the Argos in 2019, he joins 2020 Free Agent signing Armanti Edwards and incumbent Greg Ellingson to make up a force of playmakers on the outside for the Elks.

The line in this Edmonton, Ottawa matchup has been all over the place, it opened with the Elks -6, but after a bunch of money came in on the Elks, some books posted the adjustment at -9. It currently sits around a touchdown after it was bet back down due to public Redblacks confidence. Now that the number has slipped below a touchdown with the Elks, take the home favorites.

Pick: Edmonton -6.5